JO JuLV, 1909.] Government Certification of Stallions. 447 



GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATION OF STALLI0N8. 



SECOND ANNUAL REPORT (SEASON 1908), 



On the Veterinary Examination of Stallions for the Government 

 Certificate of Soundness and Approval. 



.S". .S'. Camera)!, M .R.C A .S., Chief V eteriuary Officer. 



The system of Government Control of Stud Horses inaugurated in 

 1907 was continued during the past season. Certain modifications of 

 the conditions, dictated by exi^erience gained during the first season, 

 were adopted. The most important of these were foreshadowed in my 

 first report on the working of the scheme (q.v.) It was therein stated that 

 considerable confusion existed during 1907 as to the difterence between 

 examination of stallions for the Go\'ernment certificate of soundness and 

 approval and examination of stallions at shows subsidized bv the Govern- 

 ment. Furthermore, it was found that the possession of the Government 

 certificate was no protection at shows against competition from uncertifi- 

 cated horses. The occurrence of cases in which a rejected horse was placecT 

 first by judges over certificated animals prompted the suggestion that the 

 possession o>f the "Government certificate should be made compulsor\ for 

 competitors at shows subsidized b\ the Government. 



The principle of examination and Government certification had been 

 so widel}' accepted by stallion owners and so extensively supported by 

 breeders that it was felt no hardship would result from the demand that 

 the prize- winnmg stallion at shows receiving Government aid should 

 pC'Ssess the Government certificate of soundness. Accordingh , it was 

 made a condition that a Government certificate should be held in resi^ect 

 of all stallions three years old or over competing for prizes at shows or 

 parades held by societies participating in the Government grant. 



Another modification in a liberal direction was the provision of a 

 regulation giving the right of appeal against the decision of the examinmg 

 ofhcer. It was thought to be only equitable, that, on the making of the 

 condition as regards subsidized shows compulsory, it should be accom- 

 panied b\ some means wherebv any owner who felt aggrieved at the 

 rejection of his horse should have redress against the possible error of a 

 single examiner. On most hands it was felt that the appeal provisions 

 would be largely availed of, but, contrary to exi)ectatio'ns, not a single 

 appeal has been lodged although J53 horses have been rejected through- 

 out the season. 



Acceptance of Scheme by Societies. 



In order that all societies throughout the State might be assisted in 

 conforming with the condition for the certification of show stallions a list 

 of parade dates and time-table w'as drawn upi and submitted to agricul- 

 tural societies throughout the State for approval. Onlv one society 

 ("Rochester) refused to make the suggested arrangements, and altogether 

 118 parades were organized by societies and attended bv the Departmental 

 veterinarv officers. A notable advance towards the success of the scheme 

 was achieved when the firms connected with the Annual Stallion Sales in 



