LECTURES AND ESSAYS READ AT INSTITUTES, 133 



sometimes a black or other color. They are from 15| to 17 hands high, and 

 weigh from 1,400 to 1,S00 pounds. The have a strong frame, rather sloping 

 shoulders, not very long body, somewhat drooping rump, short tail, big, round, 

 clean leg, and pretty good feet. Snug, compact, easily kept, strength and 

 endurance are their characteristics. They often possess good action for such 

 large animals, and are generally of good disposition. Their breeders claim 

 for them a fast walk and good trot, but this must be in comparison with the 

 Durham steer. 



The Clydesdale takes its name from the river Clyde in Scotland, and is one 

 of the most popular British breeds. These horses have large heads, somewhat 

 sloping shoulders, long back and body, with hindquarters long and well 

 developed. Their size and weight is somewhat above that of the French 

 horse. Bay and brown, with white on the face and some or all of the feet, are 

 the favorite colors. The lower part of the leg is covered with long fine hair, 

 which is much prized as a mark of high breeding. It is claimed that they 

 have unsurpassed flatness and strength of bone in the limbs, and have an. 

 unusually good step on the walk. Long ago the development of mines in the 

 south of Scotland made a great demand for heavy drafters about Glasgow. 

 These horses were already considered excellent, but the English draft horse, 

 having superior size and symmetry, was used to perfect the Clyde. The head 

 and body of the shire horse, with the shoulder, muscles, leg, and action of the 

 Clyde, were supposed to make perfection in the combination. This crossing is 

 still going on in both Scotland and England. 



The English shire horse varies considerably, but in general resembles the 

 Clydesdale. A little lighter and handsomer, with equally prized long hair on 

 the legs, as we see them here, it often puzzles even an expert to distinguish 

 them in the show ring from the Clydes. When well bred at home they are 

 said to be very smooth, round turned horses, weighing 1,000 to 2,000 pounds; 

 close coupled, very strong backs, round barreled, deep chested, strong flat 

 legs, 16 hands high, good style and action, and particularly fast walkers for 

 big horses. With a mild disposition they combine great courage and endur- 

 ance. 



The only distinct breed of coachers is the Cleveland Bay, and this breed is 

 almost extinct. Thie is a large, elegant horse, standing from 16 to 16f 

 hands high, and weighing 1,250 to 1,450 pounds, with a fine head, full bright eye, 

 long arched neck, oblique shoulders, deep chest, short, strong back, and powerful 

 loin, long quarters, strong cordy legs, and perfect feet. The color is always a 

 beautiful mahogany bay, mane and tail black, full and flowing, and legs black 

 and free from white markings. Youatt, comparing them with the Norfolk 

 farm horse, a kind of English draft which, crossed with the Hunter, produced 

 them, says: "Now we have an animal, tall, deep-chested, rising in the 

 withers, slanting on the shoulders, fiat in the legs, with far more strength and 

 treble the speed." Strong in bone and sinew, this animal has size enough 

 for general work, style and speed enough for a gentleman's carriage, and a 

 muscular development and ease of movement denoting great endurance. 



The thoroughbred or running horse, on which great care has been bestowed 

 for many years, both in Great Britain and this country, traces its origin to 

 the Arabian, Barb, Turk, and other desert horses. It is one of the most 

 clearly established breeds. It is largely, however, the product of British skill 

 in selection, breeding, and training. Eunning horses are of all colors, but bay, 

 black, and chestnut are the favorites. They are often tall, 15| to 16 hands, 

 but never heavy, 1,100 pounds being about the average. They are slender, 



