940 



Memorandum as to Horse-breeding. [fee., 



The Secretary will also be asked to cancel and return to the Board 

 the numbered tickets for any lapsed nominations, in order that he may 

 issue to owners of mares, strictly in the order in which they appear on 

 the reserve list, new tickets, to be obtained from the Board, in lieu of 

 such cancelled tickets. 



In the event of the owner of either a mare or stallion being detected 

 in any fraudulent practice in connection with the Board's regulations 

 with regard to the granting of free nominations to mares, in addition 

 to any penalty to which he may be liable by law, he may be debarred 

 from obtaining any future benefits under the Board's operations. 



In all cases of dispute the final decision rests with the Board of 

 Agriculture and Fisheries. 



The Purchase of Brood Mares. — The Board propose, through the 

 agency of the County Committees, to arrange for the purchase annually 

 of some two hundred half-bred active working mares which will form 

 the nucleus of a county stud, which if carefully selected will, it is 

 thought, form an important asset in the development of light horse 

 breeding. It is not intended that the inclusive cost (i.e., cost of pur- 

 chase, veterinary fees, &c.) shall exceed on an average ^50 per mare, 

 and in each case of purchase a receipt for the amount of the purchase 

 will be necessary. Such receipts are to be forwarded to the Board 

 on demand. 



Every brood mare so purchased is to be examined beforehand by 

 a veterinary surgeon approved by the County Committee, who is to be 

 asked to certify as to her freedom from hereditary unsoundness or 

 defects, and her general suitability for breeding purposes. 



Care will have to be taken to avoid as far as possible purchasing 

 barren mares, and therefore it is desirable that active young mares 

 likely to breed an animal of the weight-carrying hunter class should 

 be selected, and preference given to mares known to be good foal 

 bearers. 



Co-operation between County Committees rather than competition 

 should be aimed at, so that each Committee may buy under the most 

 favourable conditions. 



In connection with the purchase of these mares, the following 

 characteristics should be kept in view : — 



Feet strong and sound ; legs well formed, and well set on ;. 

 bodies deep and "roomy"; back and quarters strong; neck and 

 shoulders well placed ; head well formed, broad between the eyes, 

 which should be full ; courage, quality, and true action. 



County Committees will be asked to arrange for the distribution 

 of the mares so purchased to farmers and others occupying land in the 

 district, and to take care they are put in the hands only of persons 

 who may be regarded as solvent and suitable custodians. It is not 

 contemplated that the vendor of the mare shall be permitted to become 

 the custodian of the mare when purchased. 



These mares are to be mated annually with a stallion selected by 

 the County Committee, and the custodian will be required to pay the 

 service fee up to a limit of 405., excluding the groom's fee. It is 

 intended that as a rule a King's premium or Board's premium stallion 

 shall be used, but in special cases some other registered stallion may 

 be selected. 



