60 DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODERN HORSE 



compared his bride, Anne of Cleves, to " a great Flanders mare." 

 Robert Bakewell was a prominent improver of these horses and 

 imported Flemish stallions. Dodman, the horse of hair, was a 

 noted sire about 1 790, and was distinguished by mustaches and 

 long hair under the knees, characters he freely transmitted. 



The Shire is not numerous in America, having been late in 

 making his appearance, and somewhat unpopular for his hairy legs 

 and sluggish movements. Of late he has rapidly gained ground 

 because of improved action, and the great demand and high prices 

 for big horses. When it comes to size the Shire is it. 



The Shire is described as very large in size, weighing from 

 1 600 to 2400 pounds. In color bay prevails, but blacks, roans, 

 chestnuts, and sorrels are found. In form he is massive, long, 

 broad and low. He is large in head, heavy in neck, wide in 

 back and loin, moderately level in rump, long in under line, legs 

 big, wide apart and well covered with feather below the knees. 

 His joints and feet are big. He makes an impressive appearance 

 harnessed to a dray, and exhibits great power in the collar. He 

 has a fair walk, but is too heavy to trot much, and is quiet and 

 pleasant tempered. He is a heavy feeder and is most in demand 

 on city drays, where weight is of more importance than activity. 



Suffolk Punch 



An old English breed popular to the vicinity of Suffolk county. 

 Its origin is obscure, though there have been from time immemorial 

 horses of this character in southern England. The conditions seem 

 to have developed that out of whatever material came in. There 

 are indications of a Norman or Percheron cross prior to the eight- 

 eenth century. The Suffolk stud book contains records of various 

 crosses since 1 725, some of which were warm blooded in charac- 

 ter. For more than two centuries Suffolks have been locally 



Jin overheated horse should be thoroughly mhhed, walked around in the 

 open air, and then covered with a woolen blanket. 



