CLYDESDALE HORSE SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 20

CLYDESDALE HORSE SOCIETY.

The necessity for the establishment of a stud book on a sound basis can be seen at a glance when mistakes can be sheeted home to the British registers. They exercise the greatest possible care, and yet accidents happen. This shows the necessity for an advisory board of intelligent breeders to take charge of a stud book, and a secretary who has all his wits about him.

The Clydesdale Horse Society seems to have difficulty in checking carelessness on the part of breeders in the recording of pedigrees. Several cases of erroneous records concerning animals exported to Canada have come to the knowledge of the council of the society, and although it is not clear that the irregularities were intentional or committed in order to enhance the value of the stock, charges of indifference to accuracy have been established. There is a suggestion of laxity in the signing of blank pedigree forms which is unpardonable. A man may trust another so implicitly as to attach his signature before the details of the schedule have been filled in, but the practice is not to be commended, and, indeed, the society would be justified in taking strong measures in respect to anyone guilty of such an act. Pedigrees are worse than useless if they are not correct and above suspicion, and there should be no hesitation in meting out „stern justice to those found wilfully guilty of supplying fictitious details. Actions of the kind, whether deliberate or arising only through carelessness, strike a serious blow- at the stability of the stockbreeding industry. The success of the export business depends upon the integrity, of those engaged in it or participating in its advantages, and the breed societies will fail in their duty if they do not take every) means in their power to detect irregularities and expel from membership those whose practices are calculated to bring the whole body of members into disrepute.