Chapter VI. 



THE SUFFOLK PUNCH. 



This breed of horses, which has for many years enjoyed such 

 merited popularity in England, has of late years found substantial and 

 growing favor with American breeders. The origin of the Suffolk 

 Breed is somewhat obscure, but the best evidence obtainable indicates 

 the use of Norman stallions on the best native Suffolkshire mares. 

 That this is true is strongly evidenced by the Suffolk color sorrel, or 

 light chestnut which has so often been found a compromise color 

 between bay and gray ; the former being represented in the native 

 marcs, the latter being the predominating color of the Norman stock. 



As far back as 1745 the Suffolk was famed for its still prominent 

 characteristic draft ; and notices of the breed at the drawing matches 

 of that period may be unearthed among the old files of some of the 

 English newspapers. 



Improvement of the Suffolk has been very great, especially within 

 the last quarter century. Formerly there was said to be a tendency 

 to foot troubles, but in the modern breed this tendency has disappeared. 

 Among the later breeders and improvers, we may mention Mr. Alfred I. 

 Smith, of Woodbridge, Suffolkshire, England. Mr. Smith has been 

 especially active in stimulating American demand for his sorrel favorites, 

 and since 1861, when his stud was established, has furnished many of 

 the noted prize winners at English fairs. In the United States, many 

 of our most prominent importers of Shires and Percherons have lately 

 been importing Suffolks, and, we understand, the demand is fast increas- 

 ing. The incorporation of the American Suffolk Punch Horse Associa- 

 tion A. R. Galbraith, Janesville, Wis., secretary places the breed in 

 popular light, and insures the steady advance of Suffolk interests in the 

 United States. 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS . 



Color, almost invariably chestnut or sorrel; size, somewhat less 

 than Shire or Clydesdale, having an average height of 15^ to 16^ hands, 

 and weighing at maturity from 1,400 to i,8oolbs. The body is round, 

 close and compact, with short, clean legs, and pasterns, free from the 

 troublesome long hair of the Shire and Clyde. The shoulders are long, 

 and lie well forward for draft; the bone is small but firm; the hind 

 quarters long, heavy and well coupled to a short, close-knit back. The 



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