TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 377 



the evolution of the modern carriage came the sledge, and later 

 came a sledge mounted on rollers. In time the rollers were im- 

 proved to the present form of an axle and wheels. All this was 

 before the Christian era. Centuries more elapsed before any- 

 thing deserving the name of carriage was built. 



Carriages were first used by the nobility of England about 

 the beginning of the thirteenth century, but the roads were so 

 bad and the vehicles so heavy that they were of little service 

 until the end of the sixteenth century. The first coaches in 

 England and America were objected to because they were said 

 to obstruct the narrow ways, impede traffic, and endanger foot 

 passengers. It was about 1660 that the present custom of driving 

 for pleasure and show in Hyde Park, London, was established. 

 But it was not until more recent times that driving became a real 

 pleasure, for carriage springs were not invented until about 1665 

 and in. their first form appear to have been crude and inefficient. 

 Toward the middle of the eighteenth century, great and rapid 

 improvement was begun in highways, vehicles, and horses, so 

 that the the rate of travel was increased from 4 or 5 to 12 miles 

 per hour. Then came the railway, displacing the road coach 

 and consigning the carriage horse to the realm of pastime and 

 pleasure exclusively. 



The first English carriage horse was the old black cart 

 horse, or shire horse as he was called, heavy, ungainly, with 

 a big head and shaggy fetlocks. He was descended from the 

 old-time war horse, and hence was of Flemish blood. They 

 were so slow that the footmen could easily go ahead when nec- 

 essary and engage lodging at the next inn. As highways were 

 improved and carriages made lighter, the cart horse was crossed 

 with the Thoroughbred in order to secure lighter and faster 

 animals for carriage use. In this way. originated the Cleveland 

 Bay and Yorkshire Coach Horse two breeds of heavy carriage 

 horses. 



The carriage horse as we know him today is comparatively 

 a new type in both Europe and America. He is a medium- 

 sized animal with outstanding beauty and attractiveness in 

 both form and action. The demand for such a horse did not 

 arise until city streets were improved and carriages made elegant 

 and comfortable, so that driving became a pleasure rather than 

 a painful necessity. Increase in wealth during the past half- 

 century and the creation of a larger leisure class of people also 

 helped to create a demand for this special type of horse. From 



