Muktsar, December 20
Muktsar was once known for its high-profile stud farms producing thoroughbreds that fetched a high price in the national and international markets. However, owing to bad economics, these stud farms have now virtually disappeared from the district map. There is a couple who has managed to survive in this once lucrative business, but for others it is a perfect case of flogging a dead horse.

Owing to low profitability and high costs, a majority of the stud farms have closed down while there are some others which are still breathing - albeit on oxygen. There are just 2-3 stud farms that are having a successful run. The consensus among the owners of such farms is that it does not make good horse sense to pump money into an industry that is showing no palpable signs of recovery.

Breeding and racing are the main reasons why people take to stud farming. Many say the overproduction of horses in the early nineties had sounded the death knell for these stud farms while others put it down to the lack of race courses in North India where breeders can sell their horses.

“Horses are basically bred for sale in race courses. However, owing to the paucity of race courses in North India, the industry is dying a slow death. Moreover, the overproduction of horses in the early 90s has also led to disinterest in the equine industry,” says Karanbir Brar, grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brar and owner of Dashmesh Stud Farms.

Statistics reveal that in 1991 Muktsar had as many as 45 stud farms and the number has dwindled to a trickle now. “The trade has become non-profitable since both the state and Central governments are doing nothing for the cause of stud farmers. The non-profitability factor has also reached the doorstep of farmers engaged in the business of producing indigenous horses,” said Sumrinder Singh Sira, a renowned horse breeder of the region.

“Muktsar was once known for producing top draw horses after Pune. However, fortunes have changed and we are now staring down a barrel. Costs have increased manifold and there are not many buyers for our horses,” says Surjeet Singh of Behdal Kalan village in the district.

“Earlier, in pre-independent India, there were as many as 90 race courses. Now the number has gone drastically down. Designate horse breeding as an industry and give us more tax sops. We will definitely bounce back,” says Sira.