36 THE HORSE 



potent. Here was the foundation ready to be moulded 

 by the hand of the scientific breeder into a permanent 

 breed. This variety of horses had been in the country 

 long enough to become thoroughly acclimated and 

 adapted to environment, and had been used for draft 

 purposes from the first; and therefore its conforma- 

 tion had become especially adapted to draft purposes, 

 and this, too, without becoming a sluggish, spiritless 

 mountain of flesh. Unfortunately, this variety has 

 become extinct or has merged into other draft types. 

 The Canadian horses, many of which have found 

 their way into the States, were also originally of the 

 draft or semi- draft type, though not so large as 

 the draft-horse of modern times. In recent years, 

 however, the importations from Canada have been 

 principally grade thoroughbreds for saddle, and light- 

 harness horses. Formerly many heavy -draft horses were 

 imported. However, in recent years the importations 

 have fallen off. The French -Canadians imported horses 

 from Normandy and Brittany, a warmer climate than 

 that to which they were taken. The progeny, as might 

 have been expected, lost something in weight, increased 

 in thickness and length of hair, improved in texture of 

 bone, and acquired more spirit than their ancestors. It 

 may be said that these native -bred horses became well 

 adapted in time to the needs of a cold, wooded, new 

 country. Hardy, strong, alert, long-lived it is un- 

 fortunate both for the Dominion and the States that 

 the type has been lost by admixture, on the one hand, 

 with the heavy draft type, arid, on the other, with the 

 blood of the light roadster, or thoroughbred. 



