THE HORSE. 707 



endurance, and, in proportion to their size, are quite active. These horses are much used in 

 the Western StateSj while an infusion of the blood upon the common stock of the country is 

 very apparent in nearly all sections. It is to this blood that may be attributed largely the 

 excellence that distinguished the Canadian horses about half a century ago, this breed having 

 been introduced into Canada by the French settlers. 



While the Percheron- Norman horse is used principally for draft and heavy work, the 

 light or smaller types are frequently employed upon the road. The result of a cross with this 

 breed upon the common horses of the country has been found very satisfactory in producing 

 an improvement in strength, and hardiness. 



The Clydesdale. This breed of horses derives its name from a district on the 

 Clyde, in Scotland, where it was first introduced by one of the dukes of Hamilton, by cross 

 ing with the imported Flemish stallions. It is adapted principally for draft, and is much 

 prized for this purpose. Importations of the Clydesdale have been made into this country to 

 the extent that they are now bred here in considerable numbers. In color, the bays and 

 browns are most numerous; but there are occasional blacks, sorrels, and grays among them. 

 Whatever the color of the body, they nearly all have strong, distinct markings of white in 

 the face and on the feet, with, frequently, white spots under the body. An abundance of 

 hair on the legs is considered a good point in a well-bred Clydesdale, while the tail and mane 

 are quite heavy and inclined to be naturally wavy. In height, they range from fifteen to 

 seventeen hands, while sometimes one will be found eighteen hands high. In weight, they 

 range from 1500 to 2100 pounds, one being found occasionally that will reach 2500 pounds. 



The pure-bred Clydesdale is somewhat larger than the Percheron- Norman, and is also 

 longer in the body and hind-quarters than the French horses. He is heavier-boned than any 

 other breed, according to his weight, and particularly in his limbs, which are of great width, 

 flat, sinewy, and hard. It is said that at the bone-mills the bones of this breed can be readily 

 distinguished from those of ordinary horses, by their size and solidity. He has generally a 

 good eye and head, well-shaped neck and shoulders, and a round, straight body. These 

 horses possess great strength and endurance, and are naturally gentle in disposition. The 

 back of the legs, from the knee and hock to the fetlock, are covered with quite long hair, a 

 characteristic greatly prized by the Scotchman, as being an evidence of the purity of the 

 breed. The Clydesdale is frequently crossed with the heavier class of common horses with 

 good results. 



English Draft. The native English breed, variously termed the English Draft, 

 Cart, or Shire horse, is the largest draft horse known. It is supposed to have been first 

 introduced into England through the invasions of war. Their improvement dates from the 

 last century, at which time stallions were imported from Holland. From that time, by 

 judicious crossing and breeding only from the best, and with especial reference to large, 

 powerful draft horses, adding occasionally (as is quite probable) a mixture of the Scotch 

 Clydesdale, a breed has been established of gigantic size, commonly known in Europe and 

 America as the English Draft horse. 



The famous brewers horses of London, which average a full ton in weight, are of this 

 breed. Notwithstanding their immense size and strength, however, they are. symmetrical 

 and attractive in form, and may be described as follows: Head short and heavy in appear 

 ance; face oval on lower part and broad above; mouth large, with thick lips; eyes small and 

 mild-looking; ears broad, thick, and short; the neck arched; heavy at throat-latch, and 

 thickening towards the shoulder; shoulder with a moderate slant, with withers extending 

 well back; barrel round and &quot;well ribbed up; &quot; rump-bones wide apart, but not prominent, 

 rump drooping to the- tail; short quarters, with thick, round buttocks; the upper limbs are 

 not only well-proportioned, but well-shaped ; the lower part heavy and bony, with long hair 

 behind, similar to the Clydesdale ; feet large. 



