Farm Horses. 123 



excuse which gentlemen are too apt to make, that their 

 horses have never carried a lady ; but if they will carry a 

 gentleman quietly, they will always carry a lady in the 

 same style, though that may not perhaps be suitable to her 

 seat or hands. 



CHAPTER IX. 



FARM HORSES. 



Different breeds— Fairs for purchasing them — Farm stable — Portable stables — 

 Stable management — Dietaries and cost of keeping in spring, summer, 

 autumn, and winter — Useful rules— Soiling Horses— Pulped food. 



The fann horse exhibits several distinct breeds, origi- 

 nating in the various districts of the country when there 

 was less intercommunication than there is at present, and 

 when peculiarities of the locality, therefore, exerted un- 

 divided influence for generation after generation on the 

 animals bred in it, so that they ultimately acquired a dis- 

 tinctive character. 



1. The Black Dray Horse of England is proper to 

 the rich pastures of the central and eastern counties. He 

 is a heavy animal, and thus of inferior value for the farm, 

 but especially adapted by his weight and strength for 

 heavy draught and road use. 



2. The Clydesdale is one of our best farm horses — 

 of a grey, brown, or black colour, combining strength with 

 activity in the most generally useful proportion for field 

 work ; of generally a good temper ; of good, rather large, 

 size. He is the model of a well-made horse for agricul- 

 tural purposes. 



3. The Suffolk Punch, smaller than the Clydesdale, 

 of a rounder and more compact form ; of smaller bone ; 

 generally of a chestnut colour ; of steady and resolute 

 temper ; he is the best possible combination of strength, 

 activity, and quality generally as an agricultural horse for 

 light land districts. 



