Exports of British Live Stock. 



13 



The export of mares, in which the range of value is usually 

 much more restricted than in the class of entire horses, 

 has for some years been directed chiefly to Belgium, France, 

 Germany, and Holland. In 1897 the numbers shipped to 

 each of these countries were 3,698, 1,683, 703, and 661 

 respectively, and their declared value averaged ^23, £63, 

 £46, and ^36. The four countries last named are also the 

 chief consignees for geldings, the shipments destined to each 

 in 1897 being as follows : — 



No. Value. Value per head. 



£ £ s. 



Belgium - - - 16,046 189,054 11 16 



Holland - - - 6,465 59,162 9 3 



France - - - 2,973 187,564 63 2 



Germany - - - 915 29,594 32 7 



The total value of all the geldings exported in the same 

 year was £484,832, the range being from £6 12s. to £130 

 per head : the few animals approaching the maximum 

 included 48, averaging £81 each, sent to the Cape; 10, at 

 £78 each, to Canada ; 9, at £110 each, to Argentina; and 4, at 

 ^130 each, to Portugal. 



With regard to the trade in horses generally, it may be 

 observed that, besides the purchases of English thorough- 

 breds for stud purposes abroad, there is a certain 

 demand on the part of a few Continental countries for 

 cavalry remounts and carriage and riding hacks. Thus, 

 Belgium is reported to purchase about 800 Irish horses 

 annually for her cavalry and artillery, Germany also imports 

 English and Irish horses to serve as officers' chargers, and 

 France takes between 2,000 and 3,000 superior geldings for 

 riding and driving. On the other hand, the shipments to 

 Belgium and Holland include many animals of small value, 

 intended for slaughter. 



In some of the countries referred to above there are fiscal 

 and other restrictions on the importation of horses. Argen- 

 tina admits breeding horses duty free, but the animals are 

 subjected to the mallein test for glanders. Germany levies 

 a duty of 10s. per head for horses two years of age and under, 

 and 20s. for those exceeding that age ; a certificate of 

 health must accompany them, and they are kept in quaran- 

 tine for ten days. In France imported horses are subjected 



