11 



Colour. Shires are found of practically all colours. In the early 

 days of the breed black or grey were regarded as indicating pure 

 blood, but now blacks, bays or browns and especially dark 

 browns are most sought after. Chestnuts, roans and greys are 

 not so fashionable, although roan is considered a hardy colour and 

 is in favour with London draymen. 



Shire horses have been extensively exported during the past few 

 years, good customers being the United States, Argentine, Canada, 

 Germany, Australia, Russia, not to mention others. In 1910 

 677 Shires were exported, nearly one-half going to the United 

 States, where the breed is well appreciated. At a recent sale of 

 Shire mares and fillies in Illinois, 54 animals averaged over 

 191 each. 



Noted Sires. The modern Shire can hardly be said to be so 

 indebted to any one or two animals, as is the case in some breeds, 

 but the influence of a few sires is worthy of mention. 



Lincolnshire Lad II. (1365) was foaled in 1872, his sire being 

 Lincolnshire Lad I. or Honest Tom (1196). Lincolnshire Lad II. was 

 not remarkable for his own excellence he was described as narrow, 

 light in the middle and somewhat deficient in muscle, though at the 

 same time he was " well topped," full of courage and fire, and had 

 an enormous quantity of hair. The most famous of the sons of 

 Lincolnshire Lad II. was Harold (3703), a horse which did much 

 for Shires. Foaled in 1881, he was champion at London in 1887, 

 and in the 10 years 1893 to 1902, he easily headed the list of sires of 

 prizewinners at the Shire Horse Show. Another noted strain is that 

 tracing back to William The Conqueror (2343), whose most famous 

 sons were Hitchin Conqueror (4458) and Prince William (3956). 



In recent years Lockinge Forest King (18867), a great grandson 

 of Harold and foaled in 1899, has been m-e-eminent. He was never 

 champion at London, but had quite a creditable showyard career. 

 Since 1907 he has headed the list of winning sires, and though he 

 died in 1909, 13 of his offspring were prizewinners at the 1912 

 Shire Horse Show. 



THE CLYDESDALE. 



Origin of the Breed. The Clydesdale, like the Shire, is of mixed 

 origin, and there is a good deal of difference of opinion as to the 

 relative influence of the different elements entering into its 

 composition. 



From early times the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire in the valley 

 of the Clyde has been noted for powerful farm-horses, owing 

 partially at least to the ability of the soil to support large framed 

 animals. At different periods, special importations of Flemish and 

 English horses were made, in addition to the interchange which 

 would naturally go on in times when horses were the sole means of 

 transport by land. For the past 30 years, however, no Shire or 

 foreign blood has been introduced, and it is hardly necessary to say 

 that the two leading breeds of British Cart Horses are distinct, 

 though having many ancestors and characteristics in common. 



Among the most celebrated of the earlier horses imported into 

 Scotland and used to improve the native breed were Flemish 



