Horse-Breeding in Italy 



For stud purposes the country is divided into seven 

 districts, which include 402 covering stations, each accommo- 

 dating one or more stallions. Only eight of these stations 

 receive four or more sires, the large majority receiving one or 

 two. In 1903 there were 586 Government stallions distributed 

 among the covering stations ; this total comprised 71 English 

 Thoroughbreds, 55 Arabs, 13 Anglo-Arabs, 404 Hackney and 

 half-breds, and 43 heavy draught-horses. These figures show 

 that the strength of the Italian studs was the same as in 

 1895. The number of Arabs had been reduced, while the 

 number of draught-horses had been increased. 



With the object of ensuring uniformity, it is con- 

 sidered advisable to keep the same stallions at one covering 

 station as long as possible. 



With the exception of one or two Thoroughbreds, whose 

 services are only requisitioned by wealthy owners of racing- 

 stock, the service fees are low, though higher than in most 

 Continental countries. In 1903, 24,337 mares were served by 

 Government horses at a fee of gs. jd. each ; 660 at £1 each ; 

 50 at £1 125. ; 75 at £2 5s. ; 39 at £2 ^s. ; 21 at £^ ; and 

 29 at ;£ri2. The War Department buys Remounts at 3 and 4 

 years old, paying, on the average, ;^24 for three-year-olds, and 

 ;^32 for four-year-olds. The horses so purchased are sent to 

 one of the Remount Depots, and are issued to regiments when 

 4|- years old perfectly unbroken. About 4,000 young horses 

 are annually purchased by the Remount Committees. 



Stallions owned by private persons may be licensed for 

 public service. The task of examining horses and granting 

 licences is entrusted to local committees ; from time to time 

 it has been found necessary to remind these committees that 

 greater care must be taken in passing stallions; in 1893 ^ 

 Royal decree was issued directing that vice or defects of 



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