The influence of the South African War was felt by the 

 horse-breeding industry in common with others, but the 

 recovery was rapid ; and, as the figures show, we bred more 

 horses for work in England in 1903, 1904 and in 1905 than 

 we had done for several years previously. 



The horses returned as " Agricultural " are not all animals 

 of the stamp fitted for the plough and hea\'y draught work of 

 the farm. They include a very considerable proportion of 

 higher and more valuable class ; and there can be no doubt 

 that breeders are at last waking up to the truth of the doctrine 

 I have been striving to teach for more than twenty years — i.e., 

 that there is a constant and steady demand for carriage 

 horses, and that it pays to breed them. The horses returned 

 as "Agricultural" also include, it cannot be doubted, a 

 proportion of animals bred by farmers with the view of sale as 

 hunters and ponies for polo and other work, the demand for 

 which — particularly for polo-ponies — steadily increases. The 

 "fancy prices" paid for polo-ponies of proved merit has done 

 much to encourage the production of animals of this class. 



As regards high-class carriage horses, it is noteworthy 

 that, notwithstanding the increased use of motor-cars, the 

 demand for carriage horses continues to be as keen as it was 

 before these machines were invented. The sales of high-class 

 harness horses at Tattersall's and other great London 

 repositories during 1905 produced keener competition among 

 buyers and higher prices than they have ever done before. 



It would seem, therefore, that at last the work done by 

 the Horse-Breeding Societies is beginning to bear fruit. The 

 twelve Breed Societies have done a great deal to encourage 

 the improvement of horses, by the promotion of shows and 

 donation of prizes. At a rough estimate the amount of money 

 distributed in prizes at shows held throughout England may 

 be put at between £25,000 and ^35,000 per annum. 



In addition to these endeavours to awaken the country 

 and breeders to our needs, the sum of ;^5,ooo since the year 

 1887 has annually been granted by Government to encourage 



