HEAVY DRAUGHT HORSES 39 



tural horse. In fact, we should prefer to employ a 

 Clydesdale sire in preference to a Shire sire for the purpose 

 just alluded to. 



All Clydesdale horses are particularly active and can 

 perform work of the heaviest class with more freedom of 

 movement than the Shire or horses derived from the Shire 

 cross. 



The typical colours are bay, brown, or black, with a 

 ratch upon the face, and usually with an abundance of 

 white hair from below the knee and hock to the coronet. 

 Other colours than those referred to are not favoured by 

 Clydesdale breeders, but some good specimens of this 

 breed have been grey, chestnut, etc. 



In general conformation the Clydesdale is a clean- 

 limbed, broad-jointed, strong-loined, stout-necked, power- 

 fully-quartered horse. In proportion to the size of the 

 animal the head is on the small side, the crest well 

 developed, the chest deep — great depth of chest being an 

 additional recommendation. The ribs should be well 

 sprung, the back of the loins well clothed with powerful 

 muscles, and of medium length. The muscles of the 

 quarters and first and second thighs ought to be particu- 

 larly well developed. Powerful arms and forearms 

 necessarily represent indispensable features. 



In selecting a horse of this class the reader should pay 

 particular attention to the regions last mentioned, as 

 many horses are deficient in strength about this part. 

 As previously stated, the Clydesdale should be broad- 

 jointed, with great freedom of movement in these joints ; 

 but the Clydesdale is a hors^, as a rule, with very good 

 action, both at the knees and hocks, giving it a quick, 

 active step with the feet hfted well off the ground. 

 Freedom from disease, such as bone-spavin and side-bone, 

 is of course desirable, though there are plenty of horses, 

 having both the diseases named, which continue to work 

 without any sign of labouring. 



Granting that a Clydesdale has either, or both, of the 



