254 Ji£MARKS ON VARIOUS BREEDS OF HORSES. 



than small ones, and that roaring is far more common in 

 England than in Australia, would no doubt have an 

 important bearing on this point. 



The English Half-bred Horse. — The half-bred 

 English horse, of which we may take the half-bred hunter as 

 the best type, is, as a rule, Hke the thoroughbred, well topped ; 

 but is far too often very poor below the knees, and heavy 

 about the shoulders, both of which defects are generally 

 owing to an attempt to obtain ** substance" by the 

 dangerous admixture of coarse blood. 



The Shire Horse is a beautiful and essentially 

 English breed, and is the incarnation of equine strength, 

 as we may see by an inspection of such magnificent speci- 

 mens as Rokeby Harold (Fig. 334), Rokeby Fuchsia 

 (Fig. 335), Bury Victor Chief (Fig. 231), and Chance 

 (Fig. 232). His average height is about 16.2, His proper 

 work is the traction of immense loads at a walk. As 

 regards conformation, he shows a maximum of size, com- 

 pactness and weight of body, and shortness and muscularity 

 of limb. In Norfolk and elsewhere, a smaller and more 

 active horse, though of the same breed, proves admirably 

 suited to general farm work. 



The Suffolk Horse, or Suffolk Punch (Figs. 336 

 and 337), is the most typical English agricultural horse, 

 being a fast walker and light easy trotter. He ranges in 

 height from 15.3 to 16.2, and, though active, is remarkably 

 compact, shows great bone, and stands on short legs, which, 

 contrary to those of Shires and Clydesdales, carry but little 

 superfluous hair. Chestnut is the only recognised colour for 

 this breed. He is a very hardy horse. No fault is found 

 with him if his shoulders are somewhat upright. 



The Cleveland Bay (Figs. 338 and 339) has existed 

 as a distinct type for hundreds of years in the North and 



