236 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



The early settlers of New Amsterdam were from Hol- 

 land. They did their riding upon cumbersome animals 

 more calculated to carry great burdens slowly than 

 lighter ones with vim and dash. The Dutch settlers, 

 therefore, introduced from Holland the ponderous animal 

 of burden, rather than the prancing steed for which the 

 Virginians were noted, thus a type of horse developed 

 patterned somewhat after the drafter, although much 

 lighter in weight. This type became known as the 

 Conestoga. This comparatively light draft horse, bred 

 primarily for freighting heavy merchandise across thp 

 mountains and over the primitive roads, was well adapter 

 to the pioneer's farm, where such work required pa- 

 tience, strength and hardiness. Horses of this type soon 

 spread into Pennsylvania and westward, where th' 

 formed the blood of the fnare stock that produced ou. 

 grade draft horses. 



The colonial horse of New England. — In 1629 the Lon- 

 don founders of the Massachusetts Bay plantation landed 

 25 head of mares and stallions at Boston harbor. Dur- 

 ing this same year six mares and one stallion were landed 

 at Salem. Several other shipments followed, but nothing 

 worth special mention until 1635, when two Dutch ships 

 arrived at Salem with 27 mares and three stallions. 

 These were followed by numerous importations. 



The Puritan who settled New England was not a man 

 for display. He was given to humility and to simple 

 drudgeries, denying himself all indulgences. He was 

 sturdy and reliant, asking" the horse to share his bur- 

 dens, thus a type of horse developed noted particularly 

 for general utility. This type was larger than the Vir- 

 ginian, more muscular and with greater weight of bone, 

 but not the equal of the Conestoga in either size or 

 strength. This type was spread through all New Eng- , 

 land, where it was perfectly adapted to conditions. It 

 played an important part in the formation of the Morgan 

 strain of horses, which, in turn, entered into the develop- 



