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CHAPTER VII 



THE SHIRE AND CART HORSE. 



History. 



HERE is really nothing authentic as to the precise origin 

 of the shire horse, as in most other breeds, the early 

 history being of an obscure nature. 



Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, unquestionably played a very 

 niiportant part towards improving the cart horse then in 

 existence, and for this purpose he made repeated journeys over 

 to Holland, in order to purchase a stamp of mare that he 

 thought would give good results, after being served with the 

 heavy black horses of the shires. 



The results of Mr. Bakewell's experiments proved 

 eminently satisfactory, the produce being horses of a good and 

 useful stamp, and as such were highly appreciated there was 

 a ready market for them. The introduction of a Flemish sire 

 into the North Leicestershire and Derbyshire districts had, 

 hkewise, an important influence in determining the present 

 breed of shire horse. 



Derbyshire appears to have been the home of the best 

 shires, and to the " Packington " Blind Horse, and Weisman's 

 "Honest Tom" — the latter a bay -most of our shires owe 

 their excellent qualities. 



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