BREEDING OF HORSES. IMPROVED STRAIN REQUIRED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2446, 10 March 1909, Page 2

BREEDING OF HORSES. IMPROVED STRAIN REQUIRED.

Some stud horses, both light and draught,, which are put into show • rings in New Zealand, were unhesitatingly condemned as “rank weeds” by Mr. E. D. O’Rorke, who lias had a very wide experience as a judge of horses, when speaking at the annual meeting of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Friday last (says the N.Z. Herald.”) He said he had been struck by the poor class of sires travelling -in some of the country districts. He thought the Government should assist to establish a better standard by awarding premiums to stud horses, both light -and draught, setting aside aboiit £2009 per annum for the purpose from totalisator receipts, as was done in Franco. There were 10 provincial districts,, -and if four premiums of £SO each were given in each district, two for light entires -and two for draughts, it would do a very great deal of good. Mr. J. G. Rutherford said that many horses were put into show rings that were unsound, and these horses did an incalculable amount of harm bo the breed of horses in -a district. Every owner of a stallion should have the opportunity of obtaining a certificate from a Government veterinary surgeon. Something might be done to improve the •strain of the Maori horse, and -also the class of bulls. The question was referred to tlio incoming Executive Committee.