196 VARIETIES OF THE HORSE 



years ago, as stated above. At the same time, it may be added, in con- 

 firmation of the suggestion that his colour has been in some measure 

 responsible for the comparative failure of the Suffolk, that American 

 writers have proposed that an organized attempt should be made to 

 introduce bay Suffolks; but, needless to say, the good sense of English 

 breeders has stepped in and prevented any tampering with the purity 

 of an old-established race, that has already proved its unsuitability for 

 being improved by crossing with other varieties. 



Whether the introduction of alien blood is in any way responsible for 

 the appearance of the different shade of chestnut and the white markings 

 that are to be found amongst the Suffolks of the present clay, is a question 

 that cannot be settled definitely; but probably it is not so, for, as before 

 observed, the crosses all proved to the highest extent unsatisfactory, and 

 were permitted to die out as far and with as little delay as possible, when 

 their inutility was proved. White markings, though permissible to a 

 certain extent on a Suffolk, are nevertheless very far from being liked, and 

 whilst animals which inherit the misfortune of possessing a bald face or 

 a white stocking are eligible for the stud-book, it is questionable whether 

 the presence of any white beyond a little on the heel, and perhaps a small 

 star on the forehead, would not entirely ruin the prospects of a Suffolk 

 in the show-ring. Of course, no colour of coat other than chestnut is 

 admissible in an animal that is desired to enter for the Suffolk Stud-book 

 Association, it being distinctly laid down that though the shade may vary, 

 there is no place for any horses save chestnuts on the pages of the 

 Society's official volume. The favourite shade of chestnut is the deep 

 bright hue, with mane and tail to match; whereas the mealy, soft, 

 smudgy-coloured animals, while being much disliked, are tolerated. Light 

 manes and tails are also strongly objected to by the majority of breeders, 

 although they need not be regarded as serious faults, much less as dis- 

 qualifications, and indeed some Suffolk men profess to prefer horses thus 

 marked to the whole-coloured animals. Silvery hairs have distinguished 

 many good strains of Suffolks, it must be remembered, whilst the very 

 dark-hued animals are considered by some breeders to be the best consti- 

 tutioned of any, though on this ground there are differences of ©pinion. 

 The late Mr. Hume Webster, in his pamphlet on the breed, actually 

 went the length of asserting that there were about seven shades of chest- 

 nut Suffolks, varying from the mealy to the brown-black, the extreme 

 colours being the least liked, whilst the hue which he refers to as " guinea- 

 gold " he selected as the most popular, not only in this country but 

 amongst American buyers. 



In addition to his colour the Suffolk is distinguished from the Clydes- 



