Role

The main role of the establishment is to produce all types of equines (MA mules, GS mules, horses) for the army, produce sports horses of various disciplines, produce its own breeding stock for replacement against normal wastage. They also cultivate succulent and nutritious fodder specific to equines to meet the fodder requirement and work for scientific development by genetic improvement through propagation of superior germ plasma.

History

Equine Breeding Stud, Babugarh was raised in the year 1811 as Hapur Remount Depot. In 1901 UP Breeding Area with its headquarters at Babugarh was raised by Capt BJ Humphrey during World War-II. As the requirement of animals increased, a Reserve Remount Depot was raised in the year 1943.

Following the partition of the country in 1947, most of the established Remount Depots, Studs and Breeding Areas went to Pakistan. This resulted in acute shortage of Mules, particularly MA Mules, for the Army and Hapur Remount Depot was re-designated as Horse and Mule Breeding Area, Babugarh on 01 Sep 1948 and was the first Equine Breeding establishment of the Indian Union. Mountain Artillery Mule breeding was started in May 1957 in addition to horse breeding. Later GS Mule breeding and Donkey Breeding were added. Subsequently, in the year 1959, the unit was renamed as Equine Breeding Stud, Babugarh.

Types of breeding operations :-

(a)     Horse Breeding

(i)       Thorough Bred Cell

(ii)      Hanoverian cell

(iii)     Trooper Cell

(iv)     Sports Cell (Eventer, Dressage, Jumper, Endurance, Polo) 

 

Stallion Stables

 

(b)     Breeds of stallions and mares

(i)     Horse breeding: Blood lines of Hanoverian, Arab, GreyHorses, Noriker

(ii)     Mule breeding mares : Noriker, Bloodline of Cold blooded European breeds

Stallion Stables : Longest Corridor (191m)

(c)     Donkey breeding : Frence

Hanoverians are proven sporting horses world over. They have proven to be good Show Jumpers and Dressage horses. Consequent to import of 04 stallions and 20 mares from Germany in 1997, Hanoverian breeding is being carried out at EBS, Babugarh and this breeding centre has maintained pure blood line of the breed for the purpose.

Norikers

The Noriker horse, also called the Norico-Pinzgauer and historically known as the Pinzgauer horse, is a moderately heavy Austrian draught horse breed. During the year 2009, 200 Noriker Mares and 02 Noriker Horse Stallions were imported from Austria especially for MA Mule production.

Scientific Developments in Equine Breeding and Landmarks Achieved

EBS, Babugarh started a unique project on AI in Equines to propagate the superior germplasm in Stud mares. The stud, not only developed the technique of AI, but established a full fledged AI lab for the first time in the country and has been a pioneer in equine cross breeding program, a unique achievement in the world.

Due to the success of breeding activities and the professionalism Dept of Bio-Tech, Ministry of Science & Tech has awarded a prestigious project on “Development of Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) in India” to EBS, Babugarh. The first foal (GAURAV) was borne at EBS Babugarh through ETT in Indian making India as first country in SAARC and 7th in world.

EBS, Babugarh has established an Equine Fertility Centre, which encompasses all the assisted reproduction technology activities and carries out the concerned research projects to its logical findings. The stud is spread over an area of 2039 acres and is catering for production of fodder requirement of all the equines being maintained in this stud. The economic success of the Stud is directly dependent upon the quantum, type and quality of nutritious fodder produced. Mechanization of farming operation has been the hallmark of the stud for quality fodder production.

Foal at Foot Hanovarian Stallion