BREEDS OF HORSES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 147 



heel. The head is somewhat Roman in profile and there is a lack of 

 breadth between the eyes which is noticablc and not to be desired. The 

 croup is long and broad but not so level as that of the Clydesdale, though 

 the difference is not great. The action is greatly improved over early 

 days notwithstanding the Shire is more deficient in this feature than the 

 other draft breeds as it still preserves more or less of its early inherited 

 sluggishness. 



There are American critics who charge the breed with lack of action, 

 with too hairy a leg, which will probably never he popular in this 

 country, and with too fiat a foot. This objection has had the effect to 

 limit the number of Shires imported to this country in recent years. 

 We have no absolutely definite data as to the period of the first impor- 

 tation of the Shires to America. It began many years ago. We have 

 record of an importation to Canada in 1836 from England. Another 

 noted horse named King Alfred was imported in 1847. A noted im- 

 portation was that of the horse John Bull, which was brought from Eng- 

 land to Illinois in 1853. Others followed to an extent that made 

 northern Illinois somewhat famous for its Shire horses. 



The first advertisements of Shire stallions in this country were as late 

 as 1875. They were then popularized to the extent that many were im- 

 ported but in later years the importations have decreased. 



The objectionable features of the Shire horse are greatly relieved by 

 crossing w4th large mares and at the same time the typical Shire con- 

 formation is preserved. The typical hairy legs, which is a chief objec- 

 tion, is preserved in the crossing. The Shire breed is confined almost 

 wholly to English speaking countries, having, however, his greatest 

 popularity in England where he is recognized as the really great draft 

 breed. In America the breed is confined largely to the states of Illinois, 

 Indiana, Ohio, and the states of the upper Mississippi valley. The de- 

 mand for the Shire horse is especially marked in cities. His heavy 

 weight makes him of special value for draft purposes in large cities. In 

 such he commands high prices ranging from $400 to $900, the latter 

 being the highest record. As a show horse he has not excited great 

 attention or become especially popular in America. The conditions in 

 England being different, the Shire exhibitions there are very notable 

 events. A recent annual show of the Shire Society in England brought 

 together an entry of 700 stallions and mares. This, however, has no 

 parallel in America. There are a half dozen prominent importers of 

 the Shire horse, especially in Ohio and Illinois, whose business has been 

 well sustained by a profitable demand. The rapid growth of our cities 

 of the first, second and third class will increase this demand and sustain 

 the improvements of the breed. 



