62 THE HORSE. 



dales are not, as a rule, quite so big as Shires, the height of 

 the former usually ranging froni 16-2 to 16-3 hands, though 

 stallions not infrequently measure more. The Clydesdale 

 breed is also inferior to the Shire breed in rej^ard to weight 

 and massiveness, but, on the other hand, they are more active 

 in their action than Shires, while their temperament is also 

 less phlegmatic than that of the latter. They are excellent 

 workers, and well suited for agricultural purposes. 



Breeders lay great stress upon the shoulder-blades of Clydes- 

 dales being very sloping, while their pasterns are also nice 

 and oblique. The legs of a Clydesdale are furnished witli 

 '' feather " in the same Ava}" as is the case with Shire horses. 

 The feathering is of soft and silky texture and abundant. It is 

 considered a very desirable point in this breed that the points 

 of the hock should incline in\Yards and be close togetlier : in 

 consequence of this feature, the toes of the hind feet are turned 

 sliglitly outwards. The lecognised colours of the breed are 

 dark brown, black, and dark bay ; white markings on the legs 

 ai'e pretty general. 



Clydesdales are excellent and fast walkers ; the sloping shoul- 

 ders and pasterns being very conducive to free striding and easy 

 action. A Clydesdale also moves well at the trot. In Scot- 

 Ipnd, the Clydesdale breed occupies the sanje position that is 

 occupied by the Shire breed in England, and Clydesdales and 

 cross-bred Clydesdales furnish the team-horses used on Scotcli 

 farms. 



In England, Clydesdales are met with in the most northern 

 counties, such as Cumberland, Westmorland, and Northum- 

 Ijerland. In these districts, the Shire and Clydesdale are crossed 

 with one another on frequent occasions, this cross resulting in 

 the production of very fine heavy draught horses, which com- 

 bine the weight of the Shire with the activeness of the Clydes- 

 dale. The Clydesdale can be greatly recommended as a team- 

 horse on farms, but there is rarely an opportunity of buying 

 rivdesdales in the midlands and south of England. 



