HEAVY HORSES 193 



his step being firm and brisk, and his feet being lifted well off the 

 ground. A Clydesdale's carriage has also a great deal to do with his 

 success under a good judge. A gay bearing of the head is much admired, 

 whilst in walking or standing the horse should stand level and straight 

 upon his feet, an inward or an outward turn being a fault, the latter, 

 however, being by far the worst. A free elastic walk is not the only pace 

 at which a Clydesdale can distinguish himself, however, as many of the 

 big Scottish horses are very free- action ed, and have gained quite reputa- 

 tions for being fast and nimble trotters. In fact, at an early Bristol 

 show a Clydesdale outstripped many of the light horses upon the ground; 

 but such a performance is, of course, exceptional. 



The constitution of the Clydesdale is remarkably robust, and although 

 he may not possibly belong to so long-lived a variety as the Suffolk, 

 the north country horse can usually be relied on to withstand the effects 

 of cold, wet, and hard work, better than any of the heavy varieties in 

 existence. 



From what has been written of the Clydesdale, it will be clearly seen 

 that though he may not have the same claims to the possession of an 

 ancient lineage as the Shire horse or the Suffolk, he is nevertheless an 

 animal of a defined type, and, as a variety, quite old enough to be relied 

 upon as a true breeder to that type. Moreover, it may honestly be con- 

 tended on his behalf that the Clydesdale supplies a want, which in his 

 absence it would be impossible for the employers of a certain stamp of 

 draught-horse to fill adequately. He is, in fact, the pony of the heavy 

 horses, so freely does he move, the liberty and freedom of his action 

 being possibly inherited from the old Galloway mares from whom he 

 claims to be descended. It is, in fact, impossible to conceive that a 

 more active horse of his weight and height could be produced, even by 

 successive generations of skilful breeders. No visitor to Glasgow can 

 fail to notice how perfectly the breed is adapted for dray and lorry work 

 upon granite streets of a great city. One day's experience of the Clydes- 

 dales attached to drays, and walking off with ponderous burdens, would 

 be sufficient to impress a careful observer with the immense value of 

 the breed for heavy draught; whilst the frequently-displayed impetuosity 

 of the horse to commence his work, the swiftness with which he at once 

 fills his collar and steps out again after a ,sudden check in the streets, 

 his general soundness and excellent constitution, all combine to justify 

 his admirers in the eulogies they bestow upon the Clydesdale, their 

 favourite breed of horse. 



The Suffolk. — Perhaps in the eyes of the ordinary visitor to an 

 agricultural show there is no variety of the so-called Heavy Horse more 



