HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



Most cross-bred cart horses are derived from the shire, 

 Clydesdale, or Suffolk, principally the two first named. There 

 is no harm in crossing a good shire mare, say, with either a 

 Clydesdale or a Suffolk, or the converse of this. It is breeding 

 from weedy, unsound mares and sires that exerts an influence 

 so pernicious. In fact, for working purposes, to resort to an 

 occasional " out-cross," proves beneficial rather than otherwise. 

 For van horses of the heavier type, the Suffolk makes an excellent 

 cross, the mare being either a shire, Clydesdale, or a cross 

 between these. 



A cross that should certainly give a good type of light 

 vanners would be that between a hackney sire and a Suffolk 

 mare, selecting a hackney about 15 hands. This cross reversed 

 ought to give equally good results. Stout brougham horses 

 might be had by crossing a good big hackney sire with a Suffolk. 



The cross-breeding of light horses should not be encouraged, 

 because the hackney, as a distinct variety, can fulfil all con- 

 ditions of work. When buying a cart horse or vanner, care 

 should be taken, the opinion and examination by a M.R.C.V.S. 

 being the safest guide, though, of course, such must not be 

 looked upon in a foolish light — that of infallibility, remembering 

 the axiom, that " to err is human ; to forgive, divine." When 

 the intending buyer looks out his own horse he should select 

 one clean in the joints, big in bone, and free from coarseness 

 about the head, hair of the legs, etc. Short stout legs, well 

 sprung ribs, thick, wide, and deep flanks, and broad quarters, 

 are essentials. A good " top " or crest is desirable, so many 

 horses being weedy about the neck. Horses that are narrow 

 in the belly are not as a rule good doers, though they may be 

 good workers. 



230 



