XV.-RUSSTA. 



[Fniiu "Zucbt uud lU-iiioiitiiunj; iltr Militiii-Pfcrde allei- Staaten," h_v Dr. Paul Goliibeck, Berlin, 

 1901, and report of Capt. S. L'H. Slocuni, Eighth Cavalry, United States Military Attache at St. 

 Petersburg.] 



Russia is the greatest horse-producing country in the world, 

 although she stands behind many other countries if the num- 

 ber of horses produced is considered in proportion to her area. 

 The total number is about 25,100,162, of which over 21,000,000 

 are in European Russia. 



The horses of Russia are for the greater part steppe horses, 

 i. e., wholly or half-wild horses, ranging in bands of 20 to 30 

 each. To these belong the horses of the Kirghizes and Kal- 

 muks, those of the Don and the Caucasus, and a part of the 

 peasants' horses. 



The horses of the studs have been i^roduced by crossing 

 with English and other breeds. 



Breeding stallions are placed at the disposal of the rural 

 proprietors : (1) Those stationed in the government studs 

 are occasionally allowed to serve mares of private parties. 

 (2) There are established so-called breeding stables (rural 

 studs), from which stallions are sent to the various stations 

 during the covering period. The total number of these studs 

 in 1893 was 33, the majority of which had their chief seat in 

 the capitals of the respective governments. (3) Government 

 stallions may be assigned to so-called "permanent covering 

 stations," tliat is, into private hands, where they remain 

 throughout the year and are allowed to serve free of charge 

 (or for a nominal fee). They are not allowed to be used for 

 work. The keeper must bear the expense of maintaining 

 them and may have 15 mares of his own served. 



Corresponding to the generally low stage of the breeding 

 service, the number of mares served is very small. In 1899 

 the number of stallions in the depots was 3,939 and the num- 

 ber of mares served only 89,219. Of the stallions, 2,480 were 

 in the agricultural zone of Russia, and 1,459 in the Caucasus, 

 steppe, and Tomsk depots. The number of stallions is not 

 nearly sufficient. Eighty-nine private stallions were approved 

 in 1889. It is also proposed to increase the number of gov- 

 ernment stallions and establish more depots in 1901. Special 



(325) 



