HEAVY DRAUGHT HORSES 51 



stall posts, are often due to skin irritation (sjnmbiotic 

 mange). This annoyance leads to thickening of the skin, 

 capped hocks, and certain other pernicious effects gradual 

 in onset, but a permanent legacy when estabhshed. 

 Vices, objectionable habits, or whatever one chooses to 

 call such, are of infinite variety (see chapter on vice), and 

 the possibihty of the existence of these ought not to be 

 overlooked. 



Concerning the colour of draught horses we have con- 

 siderable variety to choose from, such as light and dark 

 bay, golden chestnut, sorrel, dun, brown, grey, white, 

 strawberry roan, blue roan, and black. 



There is an old saying that a good horse may be any 

 colour, which is quite true; nevertheless, bay, brown, 

 chestnut, and grey take precedence in the order named 

 in the degree of popularity, and rightly so. The majority 

 of Shire-bred horses are bay or brown, but other colours 

 are quite common. 



Bay, brown, and black are the usual Clydesdale colours, 

 and certainly the most favoured by breeders of them. 



By far the commonest colours (irrespective of breed) 

 are bay, either light or dark, and brown. 



Both harmonise with any surroundings, look well, and 

 wear well. 



In closing the remarks on colour, we should say that 

 it is not necessary to attach too much importance to it, 

 provided that a really good animal, proving suitable on 

 trial, and sound, is ofiered for sale. 



In giving a candid opinion as to the , selection of a 

 horse, nothing short of life-long experience will enable 

 the amateur buyer to be certain of the quality and 

 qualifications of his purchase. 



Horse-flesh can only be judged with advantage to the 

 buyer by keen observation, coupled, in a great measure, 

 by the aforesaid experience. 



It is necessary to point out that there is considerable 

 difference between defects of conformation and the 



