CHAPTER XX 



FARM HORSES CLYDESDALES, SHIRES, AND SUFFOLK 

 PUNCHES 



The Clydesdale History Importation of English Blood Clydesdales 

 and Shires Types of one Breed Should be combined in one Stud 

 Book "The Prince of Wales" and "Darnley" Service Fees Points 

 Test of Prominent Breeders The Shire Horse Points Names 

 and History The Stud Book Select Test of Shire Studs The 

 Suffolk Punch History compiled by the Stud Book Society General 

 Characteristics Test of Prominent Breeders Cart-Horse Parade. 



BRITISH work horses are usually classed as belonging 

 to three breeds the Clydesdale, the Shire, and the 

 Suffolk Punch. 



THE CLYDESDALE HORSE. 



History. Like most of our well-known breeds of live 

 stock, the Clydesdale is the result of the successful union of 

 selected specimens from various other breeds, none of which 

 possessed the good qualities in the same degree of efficiency as 

 are now common among well-bred Clydesdales. Prolonged 

 care in breeding has admittedly had its influence in raising 

 the standard of quality. The value of constitution is so 

 important in a work animal that intense in-breeding has not 

 been practised among Clydesdales to any great extent, 

 although relations of the cousinship degree are common 

 enough. In connection with the origin of the breed, little 

 credence is now given to the story told in 1810 by Aiton, 

 of Strathaven, who also doubted the accuracy of the report 

 which he merely chronicled, to the effect that " one of the 

 Dukes of Hamilton imported from Flanders, about the 

 middle of the seventeenth century, six fine black stallions, 

 which he kept at Strathaven Castle for the use of his tenantry 

 and vassals." It would seem that the Upper Ward of Lanark- 

 shire has long been famous for a breed of powerful draught 



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