368 STATE BOARD OF A(^RIOULTURE. 



swocp nwMV nearly all that had liccii a('<'()ni])lisli('(]. and tlio hrecHlcr 

 had to ntili/A' (Ik' traj;ni«'Jil,s and «lai-l alirsh in thr work of iniprove- 

 uiont. Tliore was, it is true, au excellent staitinj; jwint in the numerouss 

 brood marcs that were yet on the farms of the State, and as the i)eople 

 were i^ciKM-ally pi-osjjcrons, the woi-k of iinju-ovcment was i'api<l. The 

 llamblclonians, as those horses with the Mood of Hainhletoniaii 10 

 were called, were brought into all the older counties, and when bred 

 upon marcs of Morjian, Thoroughbred, Bashaw and Clay blood, gave a 

 splendid class of hard-bottomed roadster and driving horses, which were 

 always in riMiuest. Horses with the blood of Mambrino Chief were 

 brought in, and this strain was found to mix kindly with the Ilamble- 

 tonian, which came from the same fountain head. 



The great devlo])m(Mit of the lumber business also led the farmers 

 .in the counties near the Saginaw Valley to engage in breeding the 

 heavy draft horse, of which but fev/ had been raised in the State previous 

 to 18(;(). The Clydesdale was the first breed to which much attention 

 was ])aid, and he held his y)osition for some years, importations of 

 breeding stock being made from Scotland and Canada. Later the Per- 

 cheron was introduced and received with much favor. A few Suffolk 

 Punch horses were brought in, but though highly spoken of by the 

 few who tried them, did not prove popular. The English Shire, a near 

 relative of the Clydesdale, was also brought in, and is popular with 

 those who desire a Aerj- heavy draft horse. 



The Cleveland Bay, an old English breed, was for some time very 

 popular in tl].e State as a breed to cross with trotting-bred stock to give 

 more size. But their lack of style and action, due no doubt to many of 

 the animals inii)orted lacking breeding, has caused them to be entirely 

 eliminated. The French Coacher, a horse of commanding ai)i)earance, 

 and good action, with a large amount of Thoroughbred blood, is the 

 most ])Opular at [)resent'with breeders, outside of the American Trotter. 



The great depression in the value of horses a few years ago did much 

 injury to the breeding interests of the State, and led to the virtual 

 abandonment of a majority of the stock farms on which draft horses 

 were bred. Since the improvement in values has again brought horse 

 breeding into prominence, the Percheron has taken the lead among the 

 draft breeds, the Clydesdale and Shire being neglected, so that those 

 who wish hoi'ses of those breeds now depend upon the Canadian prov- 

 inces for what they require. The Percheron is naturally a lighter 

 animal than the two breeds named, is more active, a better traveler, 

 and has a disposition which makes him very popular on the farms of 

 the State. It is altogether probable, from a study of this breed and 

 its capabilities, that it is destined to remain in its present advantageous 

 position in Michigan, although the men who do the heavy trucking in 

 the large cities, especially around railways, generally prefer animals 

 of Shire or Clydesdale blood. 



In light harness horses the favorite breeds at present are the Ameri- 

 can Trotter and the French and German Coach horses. A few Hack- 

 neys have been tried, but have not met with much favor. In comparison 

 with all other breeds, the American trotting-bred horse is far and away 

 the most popular. He is regarded as the most useful, as he can be 

 utilized in every capacity except as a heavy draft. On the farm, on the 

 road, in the carriage, or on the track, he does equally well. He has 



