EXPORTS OF HORSES FROM CHICAGO. 85 



for the past ten years in a desultory way, but did not assume propor- 

 tions of material importance until 1893. 



Foreign horsemen who visited this country, presumably through the 

 instrumentality of the Columbian Exposition, found our markets sur- 

 feited with horses, while there was a shortage abroad. During that 

 year, in an experimental way, 1,000 horses were purchased and 

 exported with satisfactory returns. In 1894 there were five foreign 

 buyers, or their representatives, on this market, and 2,000 horses were 

 exported. In 1895 5,000 horses were purchased, and the number of 

 buyers was materially increased. In 1896 there were upward of fifty 

 buyers on the market, and 10,000 horses were purchased and exported. 

 The present season over seventy buyers are on the market, and in the 

 first six months fully 10,000 horses have left here for foreign ports, 

 and all indications are that over 20,000 horses will be exported by the 

 end of the year. 



The classes or types of horses in demand for this export trade are 

 as follows: First, coach horse and drivers; second, cab horse; third, 

 bus horse; fourth, draft horse; fifth, standard trotter. 



(1) The driver or coach horse must be of good color (black pointed, 

 dark-red bay, dark chestnut, sorrel, or black, in order of their desira- 

 bility), must show good breeding, be from 15. 3 to 16.2 hands high, have 

 clean cut, rather small head, long, fine, well-carried neck, good bone 

 and substance, short back, round barrel, clean, smooth hips and loins, 

 square buttocks, tail set on rather high, good knee and hock action, 

 and be a stylish mover, the more speed the better. Horses of this class 

 have advanced, and will continue to advance,' in price, which ranges 

 at present from $125 to $350. They must be broken to drive in single 

 or double harness, be tractable and of good disposition. The supply 

 is of various breeding, the greater number by standard trotting-bred 

 or French coach stallions, out of native or half-bred French draft 

 mares. They are shipped to England, Germany, France, and Mexico, 

 and constitute about 8 per cent of our exports. 



(2) The cab horse is rather a blocky made animal that will weigh 

 from 1,050 to 1,150 pounds, standing 15-J hands high, short coupled, 

 smooth, and well balanced in conformation, good bone and substance, 

 and a fair traveler; a horse such as we regard as a general-purpose 

 horse. These horses are used on the cabs and light delivery wagons 

 and for ordinary driving. Prices range from $80 to $115. England 

 takes 50 per cent of them, Scotland 10 per cent, France 25 per cent, 

 and Belgium 15 per cent, the Germans requiring heavier horses. 



These horses are the result of crossing the Norman or Percheron 

 horse on the small, smooth-made, common mare of good quality. 

 Fully 40 per cent of our exports are of this class. 



(3) The bus or tramway horse weighs from 1,200 to 1,450 pounds, 

 stands from 15.3 to 16 hands high, rugged, made slightly on, the 

 blockv order, good bone and substance, well muscled and put 

 together, with sufficient action to enable him to move off at a fair 



