Present Varieties of the Horse. 23 



The old English Black is principally bred in Leicester, 

 Northampton, and Lincoln, neighbouring counties con- 

 tributing also, but the most powerful and largest 

 animals, sought after by London brewers, builders, &c, 

 are the produce of the Lincolnshire fens, where they 

 have been preserved almost as a distinct race, a lighter 

 variety of which has been in requisition for mounting 

 our heavy cavalry. 



The distinctive marks of the race, which consist of 

 the black colour, th* blaze on the face, and more or less 

 of white upon the legs, are generally preserved; but 

 through the numerous crosses, typical animals are to be 

 found of almost all colours. In comparison with their 

 size the head is small, the neck short and heavy, 

 shoulders thick and powerful, body round and deep, and 

 the back with the loins short and broad, massive quarters, 

 the forearms and thighs enormously strong, the legs 

 short and flat, and the hoofs large and round, having 

 well-developed frogs, with moderate arching of the sole. 

 With such a conformation these animals are naturally 

 slow, but this is not a disqualification. They possess 

 enormous power, and are gifted with a perseverance that 

 enables them to perform wonders in strength not attain- 

 able by animals of other breeds, and apparently as well 

 gifted. Many are perfect models of symmetry and 

 power, and an additional high quality is the docility, 

 which under the training of a man devoted to his horse, 

 develops an intelligence rarely exceeded in other breeds, 

 The Clydesdales are a noble race of animals, deriving 

 their name from the vale of the Clyde, where they are 

 mostly reared, They are sturdy workers in heavy 

 draught, possess a strong constitution, particularly 

 adapted to the northern climate, and are remarkable 

 for general substance, capacious chest and abdomen, 

 muscular limbs, back and loins, broad face, intelligent 

 eye and kindly temperament. When to these are 

 superadded the qualities of the Shire Horse, as seen in 

 the Clydesdales of Seaham Harbour, bred by the 

 Marquess of Londonderry, the results are almost all 

 that can be desired. 



