THE SUFFOLK 165 



the color of the Suffolk, twelve thousand matings were examined 

 and every foal found to be of a chestnut color. Biddell allows 

 for seven shades of chestnut, ranging from a dark hue (compa- 

 rable to liver color or burnt chestnut) to a " bright " one, this lat- 

 ter being the most common and popular of all. A light, mealy 

 chestnut is very unpopular, as indicating weak constitution, soft 

 legs, and slow temperament. A few white hairs in the body 

 color may be permitted but are not desirable. White marks, such 

 as a star in the forehead, a strip or blaze on the face, or white 

 pasterns or ankles, are admissible. In fact " white stockings " 

 sometimes occur, coming as high as the top of the cannon bone. 

 There is a tendency for the manes and tails to be of a lighter 

 shade than the body color, an inheritance from the earlier days 

 when flaxen manes and tails were common. 



The fecundity and longevity of Suffolks is highly attested. 

 Numerous cases are given to show that the breed is very prolific 

 and tenacious of life. The dam of Webb's Rising Star (1266) 

 was twenty-two years old when he was foaled, and the dam of 

 Loft's Cupbearer (842) had sixteen foals in sixteen years. A 

 mare and foal were shown at one of the early Suffolk Agricultural 

 Association shows, the mare being thirty-seven years of age when 

 the foal was dropped. In 191 7 the Mark Lane Express reported 

 that Mr. Alfred Preston's mare Gladys, then thirty years old, 

 was in active daily farm work and had raised fourteen foals. 

 The great stallion Julian Boxer (75 S) traveled at least twenty-five 

 seasons and left a large number of superior sons and daughters. 

 Instances have been known where stallions have traveled from 

 sixteen to twenty-one consecutive years, rendering breeding service 

 each season. 



The grade or crossbred Suffolk horse is not as yet common 

 in America, while in England the breed is kept pure. Alexander 

 Galbraith states that the grades -from native American mares 

 have good size and bone, while they are particularly smooth 

 built and are almost invariably chestnut in color. According to 

 official authority 1 in the South, grade Suffolks have given such 

 satisfaction as to cause a rapid increase in their use. One breeder 



i The Suffolk Horse. A pamphlet by the American Suffolk Horse Association, 

 ' 9 ' 7 • Digitized by Microsoft® 



