Royal Commission on Horse Breeding. 215 



stallions. From the animals exhibited suitable horses have 

 been selected and located in various districts of Great Britain. 



The question of army remounts has constantly occupied 

 the attention of the Commissioners. The war in South Africa 

 has brought the matter more prominently forward, and has 

 made the Commissioners aware of the deficiencies existing, 

 and the necessity for some change in the present system. 

 They are strongly of opinion that great benefit would accrue 

 to the public service, and to the horse breeding industry of 

 this country, if a system of purchase of remount horses 

 between three and four years old were adopted by the Govern- 

 ment. 



The system of placing premium stallions within the reach 

 of breeders is, the Commissioners observe, eminently 

 calculated to augment the supply of half-bred horses through- 

 out the country, but the sum voted by Parliament is not 

 sufficient to enable them to enlarge their sphere of usefulness. 



The 29 stallions receiving premiums served 1,433 mares 

 in 1899, and 1,449 mares in 1900, at the Royal Commission's 

 fee of 42s. 6d. each. In addition, 68 mares were served in 

 1899, and 97 in 1900 at the owner's fee. The average per- 

 centage of foals left by the 29 stallions in 1899 was 56. 



The following are the conditions under which the shows 

 for the King's Premiums were held in 1900 and 1901 : — 



The shows are held in London in conjunction with the Hunters Improvement 

 .Society. 



Twenty-nine equal premiums, consisting each of ^150, are offered for thorough- 

 bred stallions (between four years old and not exceeding twenty years) for England, 

 Wales, and Scotland. 



Each stallion winning a premium shall serve not less than fifty half-bred mares, if 

 required, during the season, and shall stand or travel as the Commissioners may direct 

 in the district for which he is exhibited, at a fee not exceeding 40s. for each mare and 

 2s. 6d. for the groom. 



It shall be a condition that no Premium Stallion shall be allowed to be exhibited 

 for competition during the season of service. 



It shall be a condition that a stallion which has won four King's premiums in the 

 same district class shall be ineligible for entry again in the same class, but shall be 

 eligible for any other district class. 



Stallions shall compete in the district class only for which they are entered, and 

 exhibitors may not enter more than one stallion in each class. 



The Commissioners reserve power to award to a stallion unsuccessful in the discrict 

 class for which he is entered a premium in the class for any other district provided the 

 exhibitor enters the stallion on these terms. Should a premium be awarded in such 

 other class, the obligations as to location and service shall apply to the district for 

 which the premium is awarded, instead of the district for which the stallion is 

 •exhibited. 



