88 BREEDS OF HORSES 



vailing color in both breeds, and both have hairy legs, the 

 body of the Shire is much more compact, the legs much 

 rounder and meatier, and the hair, skin, bones, and feet 

 much coarser in quality. The pasterns and shoulders of 

 the Shire are steeper and the action is less rapid, true, and 

 snappy than in the Clydesdale. 



The colors are bay, black, gray, and chestnut, the popu- 

 larity of color running in about the order named. 



THE SUFFOLK HORSE 



Origin. — The Suffolk or Suffolk Punch is a breed of 

 draft horses that developed in the county of Suffolk in 

 eastern England, and it is in this section of the world that 

 the greatest numbers are to be found to-day. They have 

 never been much exploited in America, which accounts, 

 in a great measure, for their apparent lack of popularity. 

 The breed, however, has merit and will, no doubt, enjoy 

 wider distribution when its worth is more widely known 

 and appreciated. 



Characteristics. — The purity of this breed can be traced 

 further back than any other breed of British horses, being 

 well established as early as the beginning of the eighteenth 

 century. As to form, they are characterized by a low, 

 deep, compact body ; short, strong back ; excellent spring of 

 ribs ; strong thighs, and depth of flank. They are excellent 

 feeders, and can easily be kept in good flesh. Their action 

 is good and their limbs are clean. The general objections 

 are feet of limited size, although generally of good quahty 

 and texture, and pasterns somewhat too steep. They are 

 also criticized for being too light in the limbs in propor- 

 tion to their heavy bodies, although the bones are clean 

 and strong and the muscles are well developed. 



