CHAPTER IX 



THE CLYDESDALE HORSE. 



ALTHOUGH the demand for Clydesdale horses fluctuates, 

 it is a variety that has long been a great favourite, and 

 large numbers of these horses are constantly being 

 exported from Scotland to the United States, Canada, and the 

 Colonies. Although there is much of the early history of the 

 breed involved in obscurity, a great deal of sound information 

 has been obtained and chronicled by supporters of the breed, 

 especially by the Clydesdale Horse Society. As the name 

 implies, the breed originated in the valley of the Clyde, being 

 the outcome of a selected cross from an imported horse with 

 the mares on the farms in and around Lanark. 



Years of careful mating have served to bring the breed to 

 its present high standard of excellence, and there are now better 

 Clydesdales than ever. The enormous amount of good work 

 done by the Clydesdale Horse Society cannot be over-estimated,, 

 and the demand for this class of horse steadily increases, and 

 shows every sign of being still greater. So long as Scottish 

 breeders continue to send out good stock abroad there need 

 not be much fear of trade dechning. Heavy horses will always 

 be required ; no matter how much motor traction may develop, 

 the horse will continue to perform the duties assigned to him 

 from time immemorial, and that comes to him as his birthright. 



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