92 HEAVY AxND LIGHT 



particular about the feet of this horse, for 

 while the Clydesdale has generally a good, 

 sound foot with wide, open heels, it is often 

 in the Shire too small and contracted. A 

 good foot is of the utmost importance in 

 so weighty an animal destined for heavy 

 draught. So true is this that it is said 

 that a Scotchman, in judging a cart-horse, 

 begins invariably with the feet and works 

 upwards, and unless these are satisfactory 

 cares to go no further ; while an Englishman 

 pays most attention to the top and general 

 configuration of the animal. By greater 

 attention to both points in selection and 

 breeding, we find now sounder legs and feet 

 in the Shire, and better middle-pieces and 

 stronger coupling in the Clydesdale. 



Besides our heavy horse supply, there is 

 also an immense demand for light draught 

 horses, known to the trade as " Machiners." 

 Machiners comprise pretty well every kind 

 of harness horse, except those attached to 



