Horse Breeding Operations of Stallions Act Reviewed

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 61, Issue 2, 15 August 1940, Page 85

Horse Breeding Operations of Stallions Act Reviewed

PRICES for draught horses are still considered low, and consequently there is not the incentive to encourage more breeding of heavy horses, states the Director of the Livestock Division in his annual report. It is hoped, however, that prices for draught horses are improving in Australia and this will improve the prospects in this country. The restriction on the use of mechanical power owing to war conditions is also another hopeful sign for the breeder of heavy horses. During the year the Stallions Act was in operation. This Act was introduced with a view to ensuring the soundness of draught stallions used for breeding purposes. Although compulsory examination applied only to rising two-year-old stallions in the first year of operation of the Act, it is gratifying to record that a total of thirty-six stallions of the older age group were actually examined for certificates of soundness. -Altogether a total of fortytwo stallions were examined for sound-

ness, thirty-seven of these being passed by the examiners. The application of the Act will gradually eliminate the unsound stallions, at the same time not seriously interfering with the number of sires required for breeding purposes. In regard to the breeding of light horses, the Remounts Encouragement Act of 1914 was in operation again last year. Under this Act a subsidy was paid to owners of selected and approved stallions stationed at several centres over both islands. This subsidy enabled the owners of approved mares to obtain the services of these stallions at reduced fees. Altogether a total of thirty-nine stallions were subsidised, as compared with thirty-two in the previous year. The total number of mares approved for service was 1339, so that the scheme may be said to be well

established and well . patronised. It should do much to encourage the breeding of light horses and instil an interest in this aspect of livestock production. It may be possible to exercise a more rigid selection in the type of mare submitted for approval as time goes on, so that a more uniform or more suitable progeny may be obtained. So far, however, the scheme is definitely in the right direction in encouraging the breeding of a type of horse which was being seriously neglected. The assistance given by the New Zealand Racing Conference, the New Zealand Trotting Conference, and other kindred bodies is much appreciated. Special thanks are due to the members of the District Remount Committees, who supervise the operation of the remount scheme in their districts.