24 Breeds of Horses 



theless a matter of good fortune that this should be so, for the best 

 horses remain in the country, and breeders are able to select care- 

 fully their stock for breeding purposes. In this manner the breed 

 was greatly improved, not only in shape and quality, but also in 

 quantity of bone and in many other characters that are to-day 

 their best advertisement. 



An olden-day show attraction, at the present day superseded, 

 perhaps rather unfortunately, by various non-agricultural amuse- 

 ments, was the " pulling match ". On these occasions the Suffolks 

 were pitted against one another. These sporting contests did much 

 to increase the natural keenness to work so predominant in the 

 Suffolk's character. Strangely enough. Crisp's blood, the true 

 Suffolk, was invariably master of the field, and Blake's, Wright's, 

 and other non-true Suffolk lines were always outpulled. Drawing 

 matches were of constant occurrence. Wagons were loaded with 

 sand until the weight was past all moving, but history relates that 

 if there was a chance, the Suffolks, throwing their weight into 

 their collars and going down on their knees, would succeed in 

 moving it. 



Even to-day, although these matches of endurance have long 

 since been abandoned, yet the Suffolk horse remains remarkable 

 for its indomitable pluck and willingness. For the Suffolk is a 

 most resolute worker. Seldom, if ever, will a horse refuse to pull, 

 nor will it cease in its efforts to move the load even though it be 

 far out of proportion to its strength. Should a wagon, owing to 

 the carelessness or inexperience of the driver, strike a gatepost, 

 unless the post is particularly well grounded it is liable to be 

 uprooted or broken in two. This might sometimes result in the 

 harness rapidly disintegrating, for it is natural to the Suffolk horse 

 if impeded by additional weight to redouble its efforts. Suffolk 

 breeders will, it is hoped, bear in mind the intrinsic value of this 

 character, and will realize that the producing of a breed of easy 

 fatteners at the expense of muscle is much to be deprecated. The 

 use of overfat horses for breeding purposes must in time materially 

 affect the race. 



Another quality very much in evidence is docility. In fact, it 

 would be a difficult matter to find any breed so tractable and so 

 gentle. They are practically free from all vice. Mares, foals, colts, 

 and stallions are equally docile. It is quite usual for stallions to be 

 exercised on the halter by mere boys, and accidents seldom occur. 

 On a Suffolk farm, when a colt is broken in, it is not driven tc 

 partial distraction by the cracking of whips, nor are its life and 

 limbs jeopardized by rough handling, for the colt is treated quietly 



