DRAFT HORSES 65 



ENGLISH SHIRE The English Shire comes to us from Britain, probably 

 dating back to the heavy cavalry animals brought by 



the Roman conquerors. He is the "great horse" or "war horse" of 

 early writings and was certainly well fitted for bearing the weight 

 of the heavy armor of early times. Shires are heavier, also taller than 

 the Clydesdale, and slower gaited. In color they may be bay, brown, black 

 or gray. Robert Bakewell, the great English breeder, did a great deal 

 for the Shire during his useful life in the latter part of the 18th century. 

 The modern Shire has been much improved to get rid of the coarseness 

 and sluggishness of the old fashioned animal. They are very satisfactory 

 workers and are now found on farms throughout the country. In Shires 

 look for the characteristic "Roman" nose, and the heavy "feather" on 

 the leg. 



SUFFOLK PUNCH The Suffolk is an English breed. They are a mix- 

 ture of several strains but have generally recog- 

 nizable characteristics: small ears, eyes also rather small but forehead 

 broad, and nose tending to the Roman. The neck is well arched, especially 

 in the stallions. Particularly noticeable is the round-barrelled, full body. 

 This used to be much exaggerated in the type, so that they formerly de- 

 served the term "Punch." However, the aim now is for a body girth of 

 about 8 ft. measured back of the shoulder. Suffolks are not large boned, 

 but they are claimed by breeders to be of good texture. Their feet have 

 been criticised occasionally, though they rank well in action, coming next 

 to the Clydesdale. English farmers claim i for the Suffolk a maximum of 

 working power on a minimum of feed and rest. They certainly have vigor 

 and constitution. They are long lived and remarkably productive in breed- 

 ing. One record is that of the stallion Julian Boxer 755, who has been 

 used now for. 25 seasons. 



III. Light Horses 



The draft type, as we have seen, is all power and utility. 



We now come to light horse types, and find various classifications 

 of light horses according to their fitness for practical work or pleasure. 

 Carriage, trotting, running and saddle horses are all of them light horse 

 types, and in general they lean to lithe, symmetrical, muscular and not 

 over-full development. 



LIGHT HORSE TYPES 



Carriage: 



French Coach. 

 German Coach. 

 Cleveland Bay. 

 Hackney. 



Trotting: 



American trotter, various blood lines. 

 American roadster, grades. 



Pacing: 



Various breeds. 



Running and Saddle: 

 Arabian and Barb (ary). 

 English Thoroughbred. 

 American Saddle Horse. 



