OTHER MIXED BREEDS 139 



something of kindly inquiry in them. The ears are large and widely set, 

 but mobile and full of attention, a drooping ear or dull, heavy eye being 

 very rare. 



The large exportation of Clydesdale stallions from Scotland to England, 

 from the earlier part of the century onwards, and the continued demand 

 for them for this purpose, induced many unscrupulous persons to re-import 

 the more likely looking cart-horses, and by recrossing with the native breed 

 to produce and sell these to the English buyers as Clydesdales. To avoid 

 this deception a Stud-book was started, and the number of registered animals 

 in 1896 had reached 10,147 stallions and 12,697 mares. 



The exact origin of the Clydesdale, or indeed of any of the breeds of 

 cart-horses, is difficult to determine, but it is fair to conclude that the 

 heavy chargers of the knights of old (more especially as most of them were 

 stallions) were the foundation of them all, but clean, hard-wearing bones, 

 have always been the watchwords of the Clydesdale breeders. 



The average mare weighs from 15 to 18 cwt., though many exceed this, 

 and the average weight of stallions may be put at 17i to 19 cwt. Average 

 measurement of bone below the knee and hock in both sexes lOf to 11:^ 

 inches, though many stallions are larger than this. When the above 

 measurements are exceeded, the bone as a rule has lost some of its 

 Clydesdale character, and is consequently more difficult to measure aa 

 hone. 



In their own country Clydesdales are worked in pairs, abreast in the 

 plough even in the stiffest land, where they can easily draw a furrow eight 

 or nine inches wide by seven inches deep. In harness each horse draws a 

 cart 8 1 cwt., and capable of being loaded with 20 cwt. The farm man 

 drives the leading horse with reins in his right hand, from the back of the 

 first cart, leading the second horse with his left. As a rule, however, this 

 is not necessary, as the horses being without blinkers or bearing-reins work 

 entirely at the word of command. 



The above description is from the pen of Lord Arthur Cecil, who was 

 largely instrumental in establishing the Stud-book. 



OTHER MIXED BREEDS 



The Cleveland, if it ever existed as a vai'iety of the cart-horse, cannot 

 now be found, and it is probable that the original breed was employed as a 

 pack-horse solely, being too light for the heavy plough work of our ancestors. 

 At present he is a coach-horse, and cannot therefore be classed among those 

 which I am now describing, though he is still claimed by the breeders in 

 the district of Yorkshire from which he takes his name as a diftinct 

 variety. It is true that he is sometimes used for agricultural purposes, 

 resembling the Suffolk horse in quickness, yet not being equal to him in 

 constitution. But he is chiefly sought after for the carriages of the aristo- 

 cracy, to which his rich bay colour, and clean legs, often of a jet black, are 

 well suited. I do not myself believe in the purity of the breed, nor can I 

 find from the Yorkshiremen themselves any signs by which it can be 

 distinguished. 



Throughout England and Ireland cart-horses of every shape and size 



