36 THE HORSE 



a breed which originated in the shires, having been 

 derived from the introduction of a Flemish sire into the 

 North Leicestershire and Derbyshire districts, and mating 

 this animal with the mares in the various districts, some- 

 where between 1726 to 1793.* Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, 

 has always been regarded as one who did a great deal 

 towards the improvement or manufacture of the Shire 

 horse. 



Two animals, viz. the Packington blind horse and 

 Weisman's Honest Tom are looked upon as having 

 played a significant part in the production of the Shire, 

 and it would appear that the county of Derbyshire was the 

 home where the best Shire horses were bred. The old 

 English war horse, from the days of King Henry H to the 

 time of Queen Elizabeth, really represents the foundation 

 stone of the Shire. The Shire Horse Society has, of course, 

 played a most prominent part in making the breed up to 

 its present high standard of excellence. The only serious 

 rival to the Shire is the Clydesdale, and whilst the latter 

 horse has competed with the Shire from a utiUtarian 

 standpoint, there always has been and will continue to be 

 those who favour the respective breeds. It is of interest 

 to note that the Shire and the Clydesdale are now mated 

 together for the production of the so-called Clydesdale 

 Shire Horse, and there is no reason why the combined 

 qualities of both should not be reproduced in the manu- 

 factured article. For a long time there was a certain 

 amount of prejudice against the mating of these two 

 breeds, but in all probability there was no valid reason 

 why such should not take place. It is hardly fair to 

 compare the respective merits of the two breeds, because 

 both have their good points as well their bad, but if a 

 critical analysis were made so far as good points are con- 

 cerned the probabihty is that the scale would turn in 

 favour of the Clydesdale. 



In colour the Shire varies, but bay, brown, and grey are 

 frequent, though, like any other horse, a good Shire can 



