21 



their power and substance, and breeders of Shires 

 have great reason to congratulate themselves upon 

 the excellent results attained by their efforts in im- 

 proving this useful breed of horses. The coarse hair 

 on the legs has been greatly modified, the bones have 

 been further flattened, and the hoofs considerably 

 expanded in the right direction. The pasterns would 

 still stand lengthening, perhaps, both before and 

 behind, whilst the bone formation of the legs might, 

 with advantage, be further flattened. A little more 

 slope in the pasterns would reduce the concussion on 

 the streets, and the further flattening of the bones 

 would have the effect of reducing splints and other 

 similar enlargements to a minimum. Whilst the pas- 

 terns of some Shires may be rather short on the one 

 hand, the pasterns of many Clydesdales are certainly 

 too long on the other. Long, sloping pasterns pro- 

 duce style and elasticity, but tend to weaken rather 

 than to strengthen the propelling power of the limbs. 

 At the same time, unduly long pasterns are unhandy 

 in backing, and accidents frequentl}' occur by horses 

 severely trampling themselves ; therefore, all things 

 considered, a happy medium is the thing to be aimed 

 at for practical purposes. Shires are excellently 

 adapted to the heavy street work in towns, and com- 

 mand very high prices when guaranteed good workers 

 and sound, which is, perhaps, the best advertisement 

 of popularity that they can possibly have. 



There is a healthy rivalry between Shires and 

 Clydesdales, which is encouraging so long as it is 



