CHAPTER XVIII 

 THE SHIRE DRAFT HORSE 



Although enjoying the same advantage as the Clydes- 

 dale, so far as the influence of the English-speaking peo- 

 ple is concerned, the Shire draft horse has not met with 

 the same degree of public favor here in America as that 

 accorded the Clydesdale. 



The native home of the Shire draft horse. — This breed 

 was largely developed in the lowlands of east central 

 England, particularly in the district between the Humber 

 and the Cam rivers occupying the rich lands of Lincoln 

 and Cambridgeshire and extending westward through the 

 counties or shires of Huntingdon, Northampton, Leices- 

 ter, Nottingham, Derby, Warwick and Stafford, on to the 

 river Severn. The climate, soil and habits of the people 

 all contributed to the development of horses of size and 

 substance. During its past history the Shire or its proto- 

 type has been known in England as the Great Horse, 

 War Horse, Cart Horse, Old English Black Horse, Giant 

 Leicestershire, Strong Horse, and, lastly, Shire horse. 



The origin of the Shire draft horse. — Exact data as to 

 the early origin is speculative, although the Shire is con- 

 sidered to be a descendant of the old War Horse of Great 

 Britain. It is stated of Caesar that when he invaded the 

 British Islands he was impressed with the excellency of 

 the horses that were attached to the war chariots of the 

 Britons. In early times, heavy active horses, being in 

 great demand for war purposes, led to the importation 

 of heavy horses from Flanders and Normandy. It is 

 recorded that large importations of heavy black horses 

 were made from Flanders, Holland and Germany as early 

 as the eleventh century. Sir Walter Gilbey, referring 

 to the paintings of Paul Potter, who died in 1654, states 



