120 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



for that reason they far surpass all others in length of stride, in straightness 

 and sprightliness of movement, in their ability to keep their hocks together, 

 with mechanical accuracy of motion, whether walking or trotting. 



The head of this breed does not differ essentially in its require- 

 ments from a correct conformation. The writer discussing the 

 Clydesdale in Heavy Horses (1894) notes some peculiarities of 

 the head worth recording here : 



A tendency to " dish face " may be observed in some tribes, and this is 

 generally accompanied by a small ear and what, in the main, is characterized 

 as a " pony head." Wherever this style predominates there is probably a 

 strain of Highland or old Galloway in the blood. On the other hand, the 

 hard, narrow face and Roman nose are regarded as equally if not more 

 objectionable. Such features are usually indicative of a strain of Shire 

 blood and, indeed, they are not otherwise to be accounted for in the Clydes- 

 dale. An open, level countenance, vigorous eye, and large ear are greatly 

 valued, and are not readily sacrificed. 



The height of the fully developed stallion is about i6h hands, 

 with the mares from one to two inches less. Prince of Albion 

 (6178) and Flash wood (3604), two nearly model specimens of 

 the breed, stood i6f and 17 hands respectively. Weights of 

 2000 pounds for the stallion and 1800 for the mare represent 

 good standards, though somewhat above the average. The 

 standard color markings are bay or brown, with a white star or 

 blaze on the forehead or face, and with all or part of the legs, up 

 to the knees and hocks, white. There are also occasional blacks, 

 grays, or chestnuts. Gray is unpopular and chestnut indicates 

 Shire blood. 



The first Clydesdales brought to America were probably taken 

 to Canada, doubtless on account of the love of Scotch settlers 

 there for their favorite breed. The following represent the earlier 

 importations, the first occurring in 1842 : Gray Clyde 78, importer, 

 Archibald Ward, Markham, Ontario, 1842; Sovereign 181, 

 importer, R. Johnson, Scarborough, Ontario, 1845 \ Cumber- 

 land 106, importer, David Roundtree, Jr., Weston, Ontario, 

 1850; George Buchanan 182, importer, John Wilson, Oshawa, 

 Ontario, 185 1 ; Bay Wallace 5, importer, William Cochrane, 

 Claremont, Ontario, 1854. 



Along in the seventies Clydesdales were brought to the United 

 States in a small way, both through Canada and by direct 



