210 VARIETIES OF THE HORSE 



type, though the Holstein is scarcely the average Englishman's idea of 

 the correct stamp of riding animal. 



The Schleswig. — The Schleswig horse is a totally different class of 

 animal from the Holstein, inasmuch as he is distinctly of the heavy, cart- 

 horse type. He favours the Suffolk stamp, however, far more than he 

 does the Shire Horse or the Clydesdales, being clean-legged like the first, 

 and less bulky than either of the others. Considering his proportions 

 the Schleswig is an active, nimble breed; so, whilst the most useful for 

 the purpose of agriculturalists on light land, he is far better adapted — ■ 

 assuming that he is not soft — for such military work as the Artillery 

 and Commissariat Departments require, as well as for vans and omnibus 

 traffic. 



Although there is no direct evidence to prove the correctness of the 

 theory, it is highly probable that the ancestry of the Schleswig horse is 

 connected in some way with that of the French Percheron, as the two 

 breeds possess several features in common. ' 



The East Friseland. — This is a big, useful variety of Continental 

 horse, the home of which lies north of Oldenburgh, and is bounded by 

 the North Sea. The East Friseland breed may be regarded as occupying 

 a position in the equine world of Germany somewhat analogous to that 

 filled by the Cleveland Bay in this country, as he may be described as 

 either the lightest of the agricultural breeds or the heaviest of the light 

 harness varieties of his native land. He is an animal that develops very 

 rapidly, so much so, indeed, that many of his breeders, if they happen 

 to be farmers, will make use of him when he is three years old for light 

 work on their holdings, but when he arrives at the age of four they part 

 with him to dealers for landau and other such duties if he shows action 

 and style enough. 



During the past century the old East Friseland has been fined down 

 a good deal by crossing with blood-horses and steppers, and hence his 

 value has increased in this country, where many of the best -looking 

 specimens of the variety are to be found in the heavy carriages of 

 wealthy people. 





