CHAPTER XX 



THE SUFFOLK 



The native home of the Suffolk, or Suffolk Punch horse, as it 

 has been known, is in Suffolk County in the eastern part of Eng- 

 land. This county is flat in character with clayey soil, is gen- 

 erally cultivated, borders on the seashore, and comprises about 

 fifteen hundred square miles. The breed is also more or less 

 raised in Essex and other eastern counties, while specimens are 

 found in other parts of England to a slight extent. 



The early career of the Suffolk horse traces clearly back to 

 about 1700. While Normandy horse stock has been assumed 

 by some as playing an early part in the formation of the breed, 

 no positive information exists on this point. In purity of blood 

 it is believed that the Suffolk surpasses any other breed in Great 

 Britain. The general evidence, as given by various authorities, 

 indicates that for several centuries this breed has been bred in 

 Suffolk with much purity. 



The pure-bred Suffolk foundation really dates back to a horse 

 of unknown sire, foaled in 1768, known as the "Crisp horse," 

 being owned by a Mr. Crisp of Ufford, Sussex. To this horse 

 are traced all pedigrees of the breed that may be registered in 

 the studbook of either England or America. This history has 

 been clearly and fully traced, and stands accepted by breeders 

 universally. The Crisp horse was a bright chestnut in color, 

 stood 15^ hands high, and proved a remarkable breeder. In the 

 development of the Suffolk since his time four attempts have 

 been made to introduce foreign blood and thus improve the 

 stock. In no case, however, has this blood held its own, but has 

 been completely absorbed and the breeding lost. 



The foreign blood used to improve the Suffolk was as follows : 



i. The Blake strain. This came from the use of a Lincoln- 

 shire trotting horse with no Suffolk blood, known as Blake's 



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