the Indian trade in remounts, the numerous studs with excellent 

 stock, and the importation of Thoroughbreds. The ultimate deter- 

 ioration of the stock, the ravages of Horse-Sickness and the results 

 of the great Trek and Kaffir wars explain the low figure for horses 

 in 1891 when the periodical disease of Horse-Sickness passed like 

 a huge wave of destruction over the country. 



It is extremely difficult to trace the prices of horses during the 

 centuries, for even the price for remounts are often not quoted and 

 amongst the farmers a sj'stem of exchange or barter has been much 

 in practise. 



As mentioned before, the price paid for a horse at the first 

 public sale of horses in 1665 was equal to that of four large oxen 

 in prime condition. With the exception of the one quotation of a 

 stallion costing 3000 Thaler we do not know the market value of an 

 average horse in the 18th Century nor would it be correct to sssume 

 it comparatively with the stallion 's price ; but then perhaps more 

 than now good, reliable and strong riding horses comanded fancy 

 prices. 



In 1796, the year liorses were mast numerous (2.17 for each 

 person) the price for a remoiuit was 80 rixdollars (£16 or $80) 

 and a superior quality fetched 100 rix4ollars. At this period Eng- 

 land held the Cape for Holland, an occupation that became per- 

 manent in 1806. The Records further remark that the value of all 

 trade matters increased remarkably after the English occupation, 

 and the price for horses increased from 60 to 150 rixdollars.* 



D^iring the twenties and thirties of last century horses bred 

 from the excellent stallions imported by Lord Charles Somerset 

 fetched very high prices. Mr. van Reenen sold mares at £113 : 13.6 

 and yearlings frequently fetched 1000 rixdollars and 3000, 3500 and 

 more were paid for colts of exceptional promise."'* 



A decade later the price of remounts varied from £18-£33 in 

 round figures. Those exported to India cost almost double that 

 price when landed. A batch of horses exported to Bombay in 1849 

 costing on an average £33 : 2.6 were estimated to cost £63 :10 :6 in- 

 clusive of freight and other expenses of the voyage." This price 



(4) General Craig to Si. Bon. Sir Ecnry Dundas in Eecords of Cape Colony 



No. i06. 



(5) Becords of Cape Colony Vol. XXIII-XXVI. 



(*) It u-fis the transitton period for coinage and the dollar must still have had 

 u value of 4 or 3y2 shillings. 



(6) Bemount Agent Major J. Bower. Horse Supply for India — Annexures and 



Printed papers of Souse of Assembly 1858. 



112 



