The Tulshipur Degree College ground in Rashidpur union of Jamalpur Sadar upazila is known above all for the buying and selling of horses. A horse market has been held on the ground for 52 years. Every Thursday more than 500 horses of local, cross-bred and Taji breeds are brought in. Horse carts, reins and other equipment are also traded.

On a recent visit to the market, about 15 km south of the town, a wide range of horses had been brought in and buyers and sellers had come from different parts of the country. The horses stood in rows. Trading runs from midday until 10pm.

Because prices are comparatively low, wholesalers and riders from different regions buy their chosen horse here. Horses sell for anything from Tk 8,000 to more than Tk 1 lakh. Most commonly available are special horses known as Tattu, Khasi, Bahadur, Raja, Tajiya, Parle Thekao, Bijli, Rani, Raj and Kiranmala. The horses that sell most, however, are those used to pull carts.

To test the strength of cart horses the market has a special arrangement known as the "remand". The horse that shows the most strength on remand fetches the highest price. Inside the market there are muddy and waterlogged tracks, sandy tracks and uneven ditches. A cart carrying 17-18 people is pulled along these tracks, and a horse that can pull the cart through sand and water is considered the strongest.

Horses are also made to climb up and down a high bank to test their strength. When a horse is sold, the buyer pays the market operators a toll of Tk 50 per thousand.

Ruhul Amin, Kalam, Shafiq, Abu and Joy, who had come to sell horses, told Jagonews: "The market isn't good this time. Prices are very low. If we get a good price we'll sell."

Shafiqul Islam, who brings horses to the market by vehicle, told Jagonews: "I bring horses to every market. Trading is quite good all day."

Nasir Uddin, who sells betel leaf and cigarettes at the market, said: "The horse market has been held on the college ground since long ago. Thanks to that, my sales here are good too."

Mizanur Rahman, a member of the market management committee, said wholesalers come not only from Jamalpur but from Sylhet, Dhaka, Gazipur, Netrokona, Sirajganj and other parts of the country.

District livestock officer Sanowar Hossain said the market has been held for 50 years. "Our veterinarians are present at every market, and any horse that needs treatment gets it immediately. Our livestock department is also providing all kinds of technical support needed for raising horses."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.