138 TRAINING IN INDIA 



the most moderate pretensions cannot be bred in India 

 without the blood being constantly renewed by suitable 

 importations, whether from Europe, the Colonies, or 

 America. The effect of the climate, which is manifest in 

 the indigenous equine type, will not allow, without con- 

 stant foreign aid, the production of animals fit either for 

 the turf or for heavy saddle work. The country produce 

 bred by General Parrott from nearly pure English blood, 

 although incapable of holding their own against Aus- 

 tralians, have been, at weight for age and class, capable of 

 defeating Arabs at all distances. As a rule, however, the 

 sons of the desert have " the pull " in races of \\ mile and 

 upwards against other country-breds. Among the best 

 have been — Pretender, who belonged to Mr. George 

 Plowden ; Meg Merrilies, who won the Governor-General's 

 cup in 1858, and also in 1859 ; Annandale, the black mare 

 Gipsy, Deception, M. T., late Mermaid, Kathleen, Gerald- 

 ine. Surprise, May Queen, Engadine, Tangree, and Minden. 



To judge by Predominant, Sylvia, Lord Clyde, Labby, 

 Mike, Maythorne, Bustle, Marquise, and others, we must 

 regard English ponies as a good deal better than those of 

 all other classes. Next to them come Australasian ponies, 

 like Little Wonder and Achievement; then Arabs; and 

 lastly country-breds. As exceptions I may mention the 

 Arabs, Eex and Blitz, who, for their respective heights 

 were as good as anything that ever carried silk in India. 



Though there have been many instances of 13.2 ponies 

 running successfully among galloways (14 hands and 

 under) at the usual allowance of 3 lbs. the quarter-inch, 

 it is rare indeed to meet with a pony lower than that 

 which can do so. 



