224 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HOKSES 



Criticisms of the Suffolk. — The seeming lightness of 

 limb, compared with the depth and weight of body, as 

 well as fullness of the neck, has given the Suffolk the 

 appearance of lacking the proper proportion of such parts. 

 It is stated that one or two of the early strains were 

 troubled with weak or bent hocks, a criticism often heard 

 at the present time. Formerly it was stated that the feet 

 were Hat and the hoofs brittle, and such remarks are 

 often passed at the present day. 



Uses of the Suffolk draft horse. — This breed ranks high 

 as a medium draft horse, because of its free action and 

 endurance. It finds its true place on the farm and at 

 rapid, rather light draft work. Its value in crossing has 

 not been fully tested, principally because of the few Suf- 

 folk stallions available, although it is stated that when 

 crossed on common mares the resulting offspring make 

 high-class animals for heavy farming and express-wagon 

 work. 



Distribution of the Suffolk draft horse. — Although this 

 breed has not found favor in America it is extremely 

 widespread, having been exported to France, Germany, 

 Spain, Austria, Sweden and Russia in Europe ; to South 

 Africa and the Nile region ; to Australia ; to New Zea- 

 land ; and to Argentine Republic in South America. While 

 there are but few in America, they are scattered through- 

 out many states and Canada. The breeders report an in- 

 creasing interest in the breed. 



Organizations and records — In 1877 the Suffolk Stud 

 Book Association was organized and the first volume of 

 the Suffolk Stud Book appeared in 1880, which, in addi- 

 tion to the pedigrees of some 2,500 animals, contains the 

 inost authentic early history of the breed. In 1911, 17 

 ^'olumes had appeared, containing the pedigrees of 3,744 

 stallions and 6,755 mares. A few years ago the American 

 Suffolk Horse Association was organized and a stud book 

 established, of which two volumes have appeared con- 

 taining the pedigrees of 622 animals. 



