426 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



Belgium were bred larger, heavier, and better to meet the new demand, 

 and thus originated the draft breeds as we know them today — Shire, 

 Clydesdale, Percheron, and Belgian. This occurred in the first part 

 of the nineteenth century. 



The hunter. — Fox hunting in England dates back to early times, 

 and there has long existed a demand for a type of horse specially 

 adapted to this sport. Strange to say, no breed of hunters has ever 

 been developed, the demand being supplied by Thoroughbreds and 

 grade Thoroughbreds of hunter type. 



The carriage horse. — The modem type of carriage horse originated 

 less than 50 years ago. Prior to this, there was a succession of types 

 dating from the time the most primitive carriages came into use cen- 

 turies ago. The primitive carriage horse was a semi-wild pony, and 

 he was harnessed to a couple of long poles, fixed at one end to the 

 pony's neck, the other end dragging on the ground beneath the load. 

 Next in the evolution of the modem carriage came the sledge, and 

 later came a sledge mounted on rollers. In time the rollers were im- 

 proved to the present form of an axle and wheels. All this was before 

 the Christian era. Centuries more elapsed before anything deserving 

 the name of carriage was built. 



Carriages were first used by the nobility of England about the 

 beginning of the thirteenth century, but the roads were so bad and the 

 vehicles so heavy that they were of little service until the end of the 

 sixteenth century. It was not until more recent times that driving 

 became a real pleasure, for carriage springs were not invented until 

 about 1665 and in their first form appear to have been cmde and ineffi- 

 cient. Toward the middle of the eighteenth century, great and rapid 

 improvement was begun in highways, vehicles, and horses, so that the 

 rate of travel was increased from 4 or 5 to 12 miles per hour. Then 

 came the railway, displacing the road coach and consigning the carriage 

 horse to the realm of pastime and pleasure exclusively. 



The first English carriage horse was the old black cart horse, or 

 "shire horse" as he was called, heavy, ungainly, with a big head and 

 shaggy fetlocks. He was descended from the old-time war horse, and 

 hence was of Flemish blood. They were so slow that the footmen 

 could easily go ahead when necessary and engage lodging at the next 

 inn. As highways were improved and carriages made lighter, the cart 

 horse was crossed with the Thoroughbred in order to secure lighter 

 and faster animals for carriage use. Thus originated the Cleveland 

 Bay and Yorkshire Coach Horse, two breeds of heavy carriage horses. 



The carriage horse as we know him today is comparatively a new 

 type in both Europe and America. He is a medium-sized animal with 

 outstanding beauty and attractiveness in both form and action. The 



