Shires 1 3 



In addition to the stimulus given by the Shire Horse Society, 

 great assistance and encouragement are given to breeders by the 

 Royal, the Royal Counties, the Bath and West Societies, the 

 various county shows, and last, but not by any means least, by 

 the many admirable one-day shows throughout the country, 

 which act as feeders to the larger shows. The foal shows also 

 have done much to add to the interest and profit of Shire horse 

 breeding. Hiring societies, which have increased in numbers in 

 recent years, are doing a great deal to encourage the breeding of 

 Shires throughout the country, because by co-operation amongst 

 farmers and breeders a good sound typical Shire stallion can 

 be secured. A really good horse in a district is of immense 

 advantage, as it is not always convenient, for many reasons, for 

 tenant farmers to send their mares away to a good stallion. This 

 hiring system is much to be commended, as it can be carried out 

 without much trouble or inconvenience to members. It means 

 but small additional expense, and it is bound to bear good fruit 

 and add considerably to the profit of breeding. The Montgomery- 

 shire Society in Wales is one of the best and most successful in 

 the United Kingdom, and they have for some years acquired the 

 services of the best stallions that money could obtain, with ex- 

 cellent results. While it is necessary to have a stallion of the 

 very best type and breeding, it is equally essential that the mares 

 should be of suitable type, and sound. Horse breeding is, under 

 the most favourable circumstances, risky, and misfits will occur 

 even when the animals used for breeding are the best of their 

 kind ; but it is only when the sires and dams possess the essential 

 qualities for breeding the proper type, with sound feet and joints, 

 flat flinty bone, with great substance and robust constitution, that 

 the breeder has any prospect of success. For such animals there 

 is always a good market. 



Good Shire geldings are still in great demand in spite of the 

 competition of motor traction, and there is a healthy tone in Shire 

 horse sales which is reassuring for the continued success of the 

 breed. As long as breeders continue to produce animals of the 

 right type, there will always be buyers for them. It is well for 

 breeders always to endeavour to breed the best, and to remembei 

 the old adage which sets forth some of the essential points of a 

 typical Shire: 



"Feet, joints, and feather; 

 Top may come, but bottoms never". 



This means that your typical stallion or mare should possess a 



