130 CYCLOPEDIA OF lAV^ STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



VI. The Conestoga Horse. 



It is unfortunute that the Conestoga, one of the very best of Ameri- 

 can horses for draft, for all Avork in fact on the road or on the farm, 

 should have been allowed to become extinct. Strong and able in every 

 respect, a handsome, quick-stepping animal, and as honest as an ox at a 

 dead pull, the Conestoga horse possessed qualities which entitled his 

 breed to perpetuation. His original home was the Conestoga Valley, of 

 Pennsylvania, and hence the name. This valley was originally settled by 

 Germans, who undoubtedly brought with them the heavy German and 

 Danish horses of their native land. Under the ample feed and genial 

 climate of the Conestoga Valley , these foreign horses were, by careful 

 selection, and an occasional dash of the staunch thorough blood of those 

 days, developed into a race of horses ranging from sixteen to seventeen 

 hands in height, weighing from 1250 to 1500 pounds, and proving to be 

 among the most valuable horses ever known for drawhig great loads over 

 hill and mountain. A cross of the Cleveland Bay upon large, round - 

 barrelled, roomy mares might again result in something like this horse. 

 The experiment would be well worth the trial by breeders, who have thcf 

 will and the years before them to originate a breed of horses, that would 

 be capable of doing any work, from deep plowing, to wagoning and heavy 

 carriage work. Though the Conestoga is no longer bred in purity, there 

 are yet many mares in Pennsylvania descended from this stock, which if 

 crossed with the Cleveland Bay, as we have known him, would, the breed 

 being carefully perserved in, produce a stock of horses possessing most 

 of the valuable (|ualities of the Conestoga. There are many such horses, 

 in the pastures of Ohio and Pennsylvania. They are high headed, rather 

 long in the limbs, not quite good in the barrel ; but, if bred as we have 

 described the outcome would be most satisfactory. The Cleveland Bay 

 is not really a draft animal, but is most excellent as a horse of all work, 

 and will he described further on. 



VII. Road Horses. 



Many persons get their ideas of what a can-iage horse, and especially 

 a driving horse, should be, from English books, and from travelers who 

 have visited that country. So far as action for show, in harness and the 

 saddle, are concerned, they are admirable models, omitting their docked 

 tails, which, are happily going out of fashion there : and which, in this 

 country of generally dry roads and stinging insects, are not to be toler- 

 ated at all. The model English roadster is a horse in high condition for 

 service, not overloaded with fat, but in a condition of nmscular strength 

 and ability that would be difficult to better. A horse for similar road 

 service should be 15 to 15 1-2 hands high, of good style, and well-mus- 

 cled throughout. If he be half to three-quarters bred from accepted 



