THE BREEDS OF HORSES 79 



gallop or run. Their temperament is naturally racy, of such a 

 highly nervous organization as to cause them to become " hot " 

 and erratic. 



Bay and chestnut with more or less white, markings are the 

 common colors, although black, gray, and white were frequent 

 among the early Thoroughbreds. Typical Thoroughbred weight 

 is about 1000 pounds, and they stand from 15 to 16 hands high. 

 Sir Walter Gilbey estimates an average increase of 1 hand 2i/> 

 inches from lYOO to 1900, 15-2yo being the average at the 

 present time. 



Relation to Other Breeds. — This breed is of the greatest his- 

 toric importance. It was the first breed improved, and barring 

 the Oriental from which it is derived it has the purest blood 

 lines. For it the first studbook was established. Having been 

 the first breed improved, the blood of the Thoroughbred has been 

 most freely used in the improvement of other breeds and types. 

 In all but the draft breeds the influence of the Thoroughbred may 

 be demonstrated. In the heavy harness division the foundation 

 blood lines are significant. The Hackney descends from Shales, 

 the son of Blaze, a Thoroughbred, out of a common mare of 

 jSTorfolk. The French denii sang refers to the cross of the 

 Thoroughbred on French mares. Thoroughbreds are used ex- 

 tensively in German studs, the Prussian Trakehner being pro- 

 duced from both Thoroughbred and Oriental sires. The York- 

 shire Coach horse represents a Thoroughbred— Cleveland Bay 

 cross. The three most important foundation sires of American 

 horses, Messenger, Justin Morgan, and Denmark, are credited 

 with Thoroughbred pedigrees. In addition, the majority of 

 hunters and polo ponies, as well as a great many saddle horses, 

 are clean or part bred. 



The greatest value of the Thoroughbred as foundation stock 

 has no doubt passed, as the breeds which have been evolved from 

 a Thoroughbred foundation have been improved along their 

 respective lines to a point where an out-cross to the Thorough- 

 bred might be a step backward, although Thoroughbred ancestors 

 are mthin a very few generations of some of the most noted and 

 successful Hackney, French Coach, Saddle and even Standard- 

 bred sires. 



