154 



THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



The color of the Shire is commonly bay or brown, with white 

 markings on the face or forehead and on the legs below the knee 

 or hock. There is considerable variation, however, in Shire color. 

 Gray, black, chestnut, or sorrel are not uncommon, while shades 

 of roan also prevail to a minor degree. A Shire of chestnut 



FIG. 59. Woodfield Starlight 16814 (76532), champion Shire mare, International 



Live Stock Exposition, 1918. Owned by Truman's Pioneer Stud Farm, Bushnell, 



Illinois. From photograph by Hildebrand, by courtesy of the owners 



color is regarded in England as having a tendency to softness. 

 A bay or brown Shire with white markings appears identical with 

 the Clydesdale, so that when the two breeds are in the same 

 stable it is quite difficult if not impossible in some cases to 

 distinguish one from the other. 



The size of the Shire exceeds that of any other draft breed 

 known in America or Great Britain. In height the mature stal- 

 lion should stand close to 17 hands, although the average may be 



