a goodly number were imported by private individuals and specu- 

 lators; but this enterprise fell into the background almost un- 

 noticed, and was kept up by very few breeders. 



The Hackneys found great favor with the farmers and breeders 

 and the Government was persuaded to import another batch of 

 selected stallions and requested that they should not be chestnuts 

 and at least 16 hands high. The government promised to consider 

 these points and Dr. Hutcheon, Chief Veterinary Surgeon was sent 

 to England to buy Hackneys. It was difficult enough to get the 

 proper type of sire and to get this type in fast colors was not an 

 easy matter for the color of the breed is chestnut. The great breed- 

 ers and sellers also looked upon the Government buyer as a good 

 milch cow for they knew he had to get these horses within a certain 

 time ; yet Dr. Ilutcheon managed to bring out 28 Hackneys all 

 above 15% hands and with fast colors, at the average price of £232 

 which was even lower than that of the previous year although the 

 quality was in every respect as good. Since then Hackneys were 

 great favorites with most of the great horse breeders in the Southern 

 districts of the Cape Province. In 1891 the Government once more 

 officially imported a batch of the best Hackney stallions. Cleveland 

 Bays and Roadsters were given fair trials too; but their success 

 has been variable and partial. 



In spite of these improvements the Indian Trade has slipped 

 from our hands for good in favor of Australia where great care has 

 been bestowed on horse-breeding since the first importations from 

 the Cape in 1815 to 1825. Great studs also sprung up all over In- 

 dia, which supplied some of the required remounts in quantity at 

 least if not quality. The same can be said of the Australians which 

 were thoroughly condemmed by several commanding officers as be- 

 ing totally unfit for campaigning. 



As was frequent in those days in matters of trade the Indian 

 Trade in remounts became enveloped in the underhand dealings 

 of the middle man, who favored his own private ends at the expense 

 of larger and more important communities. 



The results of these trade scandals are often quoted as the chief 

 reason for the decline of horse-breeding in South Africa. Since 

 they happened about the same time as the importation of worthless 

 stallions-they certainly added force to the rolling stone. 



The first horses for military service in India were exported in 



41 



