120 THE HORSE 



the rattle he makes and seems to enjoy is very trying to 

 other folk. 



The origin of the Clydesdales is ascribed to the action of 

 the Duke of Hamilton in crossing six Dutch stallions 

 imported by him on the draught mares of the country, 

 more especially those belonging to John Paterson, of 

 Lochy Lock, whose stock, however, died out about thirty- 

 five years ago. These mares were either black or brown, 

 and had a distinguishing patch of white hair on the belly. 

 The foundation appears very similar to that of the famous 

 black horses of Lincolnshire, and there must have been 

 great merit in these Dutch cart-horses to have produced two 

 such excellent types. There is, however, another possible 

 source from which they inherit good breeding, similarly to 

 the ponies of the Isle of Rum, and those of Connemara, 

 and Mayo, in Ireland ; in that many of the ships of the 

 Spanish Armada were wrecked within reach of the valley 

 of the Clyde. 



The Spaniards had intended not only to conquer but to 

 colonise the British Isles, and therefore brought with them 

 their families, and also large quantities of farming stock, 

 including stallions. All along the West Coasts of Scotland 

 and Ireland, the unfortunate vessels were wrecked, but 

 many of those on board were saved besides their live stock, 

 and colonies of Spaniards were thus formed. They remained 

 where they were, and traces of them may be seen in the 

 native population at the present day ; and in a similar way 

 the influence of their well-bred stallions still remains 

 amongst the horses and ponies of the districts where they 

 settled. 



The Clydesdale stallions have been much sought after 

 by farmers' clubs in England, even as far as Cornwall ; 

 while the Messrs. Morris, with their wonderful team of 

 six bay Clydesdales, at the Olympia Show of 1909, caused 

 general admiration, and proved to what a pitch of per- 

 fection it was possible to bring the breed. 



It is not only in the British Isles that the merits of the 

 Clydesdales are duly appreciated, for in all our great corn- 

 growing colonies they are much valued, and in Canada, 



