ENGLISH BREEDS 127 



of the Cleveland Bay, although diversity of opinion might reasonably oe 

 allowed as to his precise origin. Very jjrobably the Thoroughbred has 

 entered largely into his composition, and as it is in turn extremely likely 

 that the Pack-horse was a scion of the old English War-horse, which is 

 fully referred to in the chapter on Shire horses, it may be justifiable to 

 argue that the ancient British race and the Eastern importations are 

 responsible between them for the existence of the Cleveland Bay. 



The theory that the breed is the result of the successful manipulation of 

 the Thoroughbred and Cart-horse is scarcely so tenable as the one just pro- 

 pounded, as though it may be admitted that the Pack-horse and the Cart- 

 horse are both descendants of the old English War-horse, the similarity that 

 existed between them was by no means pronounced, the former being a far 

 lighter, more blood-like animal, and therefore a better horse to work upon. 

 It may also be observed that the quarters and some other points of the 

 Cleveland Bay are the reverse of carty, and this circumstance aflbrds further 

 evidence of the improbability of the presence of Cart-horse blood. 



Although it is suggested that the southern districts of England deserve 

 some credit in the production of the Cleveland Bay horse, there can be no 

 doubt at all that his development and improvement, indeed one might 

 almost add his present existence as a recognized breed, is due to the 

 northern part of the country whence he derives his name. This assertion 

 is strengthened to some extent by the tlieory, that the black points which 

 are so characteristic of the horse are the result of the introduction, at 

 some remote period, of Scandinavian blood, and this was naturally far 

 more easily procurable for the purpose of experiment in the Cleveland 

 district than in the south. Nor, it may be added, was the Pack-horse 

 solely confined to the last-mentioned part of the country, as under not 

 only that designation, but under the title of the Chapman's Horse, he was 

 pretty extensively known throughout England, and Yorkshire especially, 

 being frequently alluded to ])y old writers on the equine race. On the 

 other hand, the possibility of the south of England having produced the 

 original tap-root of the Cleveland Bay, or the still greater probability 

 of there at least being a strong dash of Devonshire blood in his com- 

 position, lies in the fact that the dark streaks or " list " down the back, 

 which up to not so many years ago was a treasured point in the Cleve- 

 land Bay, is a distinguishing feature of the dun animals commonly found 

 in the Devonshire district, though, of course, it is not entirely confined 

 to the horses of the west country. 



From all this, and much more that could be written were it necessary 

 to do so, as to the possible origin of the Cleveland Bay, it will be seen 

 that the question of the precise composition of the breed, like that of other 



