TEE WAR AND THE HOUSE MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2404, 29 March 1900, Page 7

TEE WAR AND THE HOUSE MARKET.

(Southern Standard.)

There is one matter concerning the present war that we wish to bring under the notice of our farmers, and more ebpecially those that go in for horse-breeding, and that is the effect that is caused by the war on the horse market, consequent upon the veiy best of our saddle horses being exported for use in South Africa. On account of the dreaded rinderpest, the animals that have left our shores will never return, and will, in consequence, have to be left in South Africa when the campaign is over. This drain on the torse market will have the effect of bringing the "hack" — which, by the way, had almost feunk into oblivion — into greater prominence than has been the case for many years past. As is well known, hacks in many parts of the colony have been hard to quit under the hammer, and, naturally enough, farmers have t>een very chary in breeding them. This is easily accounted for. Years ago, the saddle horse was looked upon as the New Zealand "ship of the desert," and before our railways "Were exteaded into the interior the means of communication between the inside and outside world was accomplished by coach and the free use of saddle' horses. .With the exception of a few isolated cases this aspect is all changed. And not altogether is this dtie to extended railway accommodation, but it is in a great measure caused by the advent of "the horse that want ne'er food nor drink" '— the bicycle. A slump in saddle horses has been apparent for some years past ; but it appears to us that the demand for horses suitable for cavalry and defence purposes .will be greater in the future than was the case 20 years ap,o. The war has taught us many lessons;- and not the least important lesson, to be learned is the fact that a large number of suitable horses v/ill always be required to keep up a- strong mounted force in South Africa, and in New Zealand as well. To keep up this supply it is incumbent upon all colonial farmers and horsebreeders to make this matter a foremost one in their next season's programme, and it is not too early to impress this matter upon the minds of those interested. In the first place, it will be necessary for those that contemplate horsebreeding next season to see at once that those thoroughbreds that are to be used should be well wintered, and carefully "stored" till spring. Secondly, horses of the right stamp should be bred ; those of a hardy description that can stand plenty of wear and tear. We may point out that the class that is mostly needed, if the experience of South Africa be any criterion, is that of the. cob sort, and not animals that are bred "for exhibition only." What is wanted- are good useful sorts and good weight-carriers. When tb> time comes for these to be relegated to the hammer, there may be little fear of them meeting with a ready <--ale, when we bear in mind that i any of our be«t horses have been picked out for remounts, and that very few have been bred to fill their places. If success is to attend the efforts of breeders in their desire to supply the gaps made in the ranks or horseflesh, it is indispensable that they should adopt different lines than those that have been followed of late years. When the weeding-out in the horses ' intended for use_ by our contingents took place, it was generally found that those horses ordered to take a back seat — although apparently sound to the eye — were totally vn&uiiable for the class of work that they would be called upon to perform. Thus, it will be noticed, according to expert evidence, that the horses to be bred in future will have to be of the inuggety stamp, and if the&e lines be strictly i.eted upon by breeders the horse market of the future will be a source of unbounded profit for vendors of horseflesh.