26 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



21. Origin. The Clydesdale originated in the low- 

 lands of Scotland, with the county of Lanark as the chief 

 center of activity in producing the breed. It is fre- 

 quently referred to as the Clydesdale district, and is 

 divided throughout its length by the Clyde River. While 

 the lowlands of Scotland have long been noted for the 

 heavy horses bred there, yet it was not until the latter 

 part of the eighteenth century that the breed was much 

 improved by the importation of some heavy stallions 

 from Flanders. John Paterson, of Lochlyoch, is said to 

 have imported the first Flemish stallion for this purpose 

 early in the eighteenth century. The Flemish stallions 

 were large-boned and heavy horses of sluggish tempera- 

 ment, with slow, awkward action. The lowlands of Scot- 

 land are very favorable for the breeding of heavy horses, 

 as the soil is fertile and the pasturage luxuriant; and 

 these, with a suitable climate, have a marked effect on 

 the characteristics of the modern Clydesdale, as they are 

 favorable for growth of bone and muscle, giving both 

 height and substance. 



22. History of breeding. The Clydesdale of to-day 

 is the result of careful and persistent breeding for definite 

 ends. The results of the breeders' efforts in a general 

 way may be summed up by stating that they have ulti- 

 mately been very successful in combining weight, quality 

 and action as the prime essentials of a draft horse. These, 

 successfully united, produce a draft horse that has pulling 

 power, wearing quality or endurance, in association with 

 ability to move properly at f a satisfactory pace, either 

 walking or trotting. The evolution of this breed of draft 

 horses is more than usually interesting because of the 

 decided views of the home breeders and the singleness of 

 purpose which they have shown. The progress has been 



