26 Breeds of Horses 



soundness and by the work that it does, that the share of bone 

 nature has bestowed upon it is certainly sufficient for its needs. 



Much has been written and more has been said as to the Suffolk 

 being unfitted for hard roads and for town purposes. Those who 

 have used Suffolks in the streets of London or in those of other 

 large cities speak highly of the lasting powers and general utility 

 of the breed. The Ipswich Corporation with laudable loyalty 

 employs a large number of Suffolks and finds them perfectly satis- 

 factory. But although the Suffolk will actually stand road wear 

 and tear as well as any other breed of heavy horses yet it is 

 perhaps particularly suited to agricultural purposes. 



Again, prejudice has labelled the Suffolk as a "slothful" 

 creature, particularly because the horses are exhibited at shows 

 in an immoderately fat condition. Visitors from over the seas are 

 given an entirely wrong impression of the Suffolk horse, if their 

 enquiry into the breed begins and ends at a show ground. Breeders 

 should realize that overfeeding not only somewhat handicaps the 

 trade but also is liable to lead to constitutional troubles. 



The young Suffolk has naturally good feet, equal to those of 

 any other breed of cart horses, and in stables or studs where the 

 feeding is rational and exercise sufficient, laminitis seldom occurs. 

 For sufficient food and hard work spoils no horse, whilst fattening, 

 heating foods, in too great quantities is highly detrimental. 



It is often asked if the Suffolk is especially suited to any 

 particular district or county. It is found that the horses bred on 

 the heavier lands are liable to produce more bone than those on 

 the light lands. But whether on heavy land or on light land, 

 the Punch is equally useful. The absence of feather saves not 

 only men's time but also keeps the legs far freer from grease and 

 other skin affections. The position of the shoulders gives the 

 horse a particular advantage for a steady pull, and the animal is 

 a decidedly quick walker. In fact, the Suffolk is, without doubt, 

 one of the most useful agricultural horses for any and every county 

 in England. 



There is no advantage in attempting to breed big Suffolk 

 horses. The type of Suffolk to be aimed at is one standing up to 

 1 6 hands i in. high, with hard short legs, close-knitted joints, and 

 deep carcass, with plenty of width in front. The smaller Suffolks 

 are of value for crossing with light breeds in order to obtain active 

 horses with more substance and stamina; in this way many good 

 hunters have been bred and several excellent riding and driving 

 cobs. It is interesting to know that the result of these crosses 

 is usually a chestnut with a remarkably docile disposition. 



