122 THE HORSE 



wheels sunk a little in the ground with blocks of wood laid 

 before them to increase the difficulty. The first efforts are 

 made with the reins fastened as usual to the collars, but 

 the animals cannot, when so confined, put out their full 

 strength ; the reins are therefore afterwards thrown loose 

 on their necks, when they can exert their utmost powers, 

 which they usually do by falling on their knees and drawing 

 in that attitude. That they may not break their knees by 

 this operation, the area on which they draw is strewn with 

 soft sand." 



The Suffolk Mercury, June 22, 1724, thus advertises the 

 first match that took place : — 



" On Thursday, July 9, 1724, there will be a drawing at 

 Ixworth Pickarel, for a piece of plate of 45s. value ; and 

 they that will bring five horses or mares may put in for it : 

 and they that draw twenty the best and fairest pulls with 

 their reins up, and then, they that can carry the greatest 

 weight over the block with fewest lifts, and fewest pulls, 

 shall have the said plate ; by such judges as the masters of 

 the teams shall choose. You are to meet at twelve o'clock, 

 and put in your names (or else be debarred from drawing 

 for it), and subscribe half a crown apiece to be paid to the 

 second best team." 



Such contests, fortunately for humanity's sake, have long 

 died out, but that they ever should have been common as 

 trials of strength is a convincing proof of the gameness of 

 the breed. The first volume of the Suffolk Stud Book, 

 p. 41, quotes an advertisement of a drawing-match in 17(36, 

 thirty-eight years after the one mentioned at Ixworth 

 Pickarel, and many are known to have taken place between 

 these dates. 



"Harleston, Norfolk. This is to give notice, that on the 

 18th of this instant March, there will be a drawing for 

 stallions at the house of John Hamblem, called the Magpie, 

 for a silver cup value five guineas : no more than seven to 

 enter, and not less than five. Each horse to draw single, 

 to raise the most weight. The best of twenty pulls, and 

 for every blank, to have a bushel of sand laid on the 

 waggon." 



