20 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



and quicker work in pair-horse vans may be more upstanding, 

 but they should possess depth of rib, plenty of heart-room, and 

 all essential qualifications for usefulness." 



It has already been remarked, that perhaps no description 

 of horse pays the farmer better to breed than the heavy 

 draught-horse, and for the simple reason that this animal can 

 be put to work younger than any other, as the pace is slow, 

 and on farm land the legs and feet do not suffer as in travelling 

 on hard roads. A riding or harness horse cannot do much 

 labour under five years of age, whereas the draught-horse can 

 go in "the chains" at two. Besides, a trifling injury (such as 

 a scratch on the knee) may so blemish a riding or carriage 

 horse as to diminish his value by more than one-half; or a 

 slight unsoundness may develop before he is fit for the market, 

 which may diminish the price to a painful degree. The use- 

 fulness of the draught horse is not impaired by such trifles, 

 and theii' presence does not give rise to any apprehension of 

 danger or loss of service ; therefore his value remains un- 

 aff'ected. 



The price of draught-horses does not fluctuate much, and 

 they are less under the influence of " fancy prices " than any 

 of the other kinds, with the excejjtion of the pedigree stallions, 

 perhaps, which sometimes realise large sums. The limits of 

 price might be set down at £36 and £80 or £90, the high 

 limit being that given for really fine dray horses. Good horses 

 are purchased for £50 or £60. The fairs at which they are shown 

 will be alluded to in the next chapter. 



