THE DRAFT BREEDS OF GREAT BRITAIN 



E. S. Akix, Syracuse, X. Y. 



President, Xew York State Draft Horse Breeders' Club 

 The British draft breeds have had a long period of develop- 

 ment. Early history shows that horses were bred entirely for war 

 purposes. From the seventh to the eighteenth century changing 

 conditions of warfare made larger horses necessary, as a result of 

 which the use of small stallions was prohibited, and larger stal- 

 lions were imported from Flanders to ^cross with the British 

 mares. Up to the eighteenth centnry oxen, and horses untit for 

 war purposes, were used for work. After the beginning of this 

 century horses ^ became more important for work and the real de- 

 velopment of the draft horse began. In the latter part of the 

 eighteen century we find two distinct types of cart horses — the 

 hirge, black old English horse which was the result of the Flemish 

 cross, and the Suffolk Punch, which seems to have been developed 

 without outside help or crossing with other foreign or alien blood. 

 In this respect Sutfolks are probably the purest breed of draft 

 horses. The characteristics of this breed have remained prac- 

 tically unchanged for the past hundred years, except for an in- 

 crease ill size. There can be no doubt but that the Scotch and 

 English breeders have made their draft breeds what they wanted 

 them to be and are well satisfied with the results. 



Although about the same in color and markings, the two prin- 

 cipal British draft breeds are quite distinct in other character- 

 istics, as well as in size. Great credit must be given the breeders 

 of both countries in the uniformity of type of their three draft 

 breeds. The British Government, unlike that of France and 

 Belgium, makes no inspection and pays no subsidies. Personal 

 endeavor and enterprise, with hearty cooperation among breeders, 

 have accomplished results possible in no other country. 



THE SUFFOLK 



The Suffolk is one of the oldest of the draft breeds, and is the 

 most scarce. Their color is the most uniform of all breeds, and 



[91J - 



