10 



centuries beyond a doubt been distributed in numbers through the 

 district between the Humber and the Cam, occupying the rich fen 

 lands of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, and extending westward 

 through the counties of Huntingdon, Northampton, Leicester, 

 Nottingham, Derby, Warwick and Stafford, on to the Severn." 



The Shire Horse Society was established in 1878 under the name 

 of the English Cart Horse Society, which title it retained till 1884. 

 Long before this, however, the value of the Shire had been 

 appreciated and the breeding conducted on systematic lines, so that 

 the first volume of the Stud Book issued in 1880 contained no less 

 thnn 2,381 verified pedigrees, some of which have been traced back 

 nearly a hundred years. Up to the present, thirty-three volumes 

 have been issued, the last containing the entries of 1,227 stallions 

 and 4,491 mares. In addition to issuing the Stud Book, the Society 

 holds an Annual Spring Show and Sale in London and also awards 

 medals and prizes for Shires at the leading agricultural shows 

 291 in this country alone, in 1911. A most important condition, 

 which applies to both its own and other shows, is that all horses 

 have to pass a strict veterinary examination for soundness before 

 they can receive any of the Society's medals or prizes. The effect 

 of this in eliminating unsoundness is shown by the fact that while 

 at the earlier shows considerable proportions were disqualified for 

 various forms of unsoundness at the London Show of 1912 less 

 than 6 per cent, were rejected by the veterinary inspectors. 



Under the care of the Society the breed has developed to a 

 remarkable extent, particularly perhaps in respect of uniformity of 

 type, soundness, and action, while the size and weight have in no 

 way been reduced. As illustrating how values have appreciated, it 

 may be mentioned that at the first public sale held in connection 

 with the Shire Horse Show in 1895, 121 horses were sold at an 

 average of 60 2s. Oe?., in 1911 149 animals were disposed of at 

 an average of 127 7s. Of?., and in 1912 142 at an average of 

 120 Qs. Od. 



Distinctive Characteristics of the Shire. The Shire Horse Society 

 has not issued an official standard of points, but in some of its 

 publications the outstanding characteristics are indicated and the 

 following is a brief outline. 



A Shire stallion should stand at least 17 hands high, and weigh 

 noteless - t than 20 cwt. 5 his legs should be as big and massive as 

 possible so long as the "bone" is clean and flat. He should 

 measure at least 11 inches below the knee and 12 inches or more 

 below the hock. 



The hair should be plentiful, with " feather " not merely at the 

 back of the legs, but also though to a less extent at the sides ; 

 it should be strong but not wiry, and free from any tendency to 

 woolliness or curl. The action should be straight, level, true and 

 free ; the hocks should be kept well together and in position. 



The feet should be wide and open at the heel, the pasterns should 

 have sufficient slope, but not be long and weak. 



The head of the horse should be thoroughly masculine in 

 character. 



Mares are usually not so high as the horse, and the general 

 conformation should be long, low and wide. 



