40 
THE HORSE. 
THE OLD ENGLISH BLACK HORSE. 
its descendants were preserved with care by succeeding breeders. The figure in the plate represents a descendant of one of his 
most valued horses, the progenitor of some of the finest of the old Dray-Horses of London. If it does not exhibit what would 
now be regarded as the form of a perfect Draught-Horse, it shows the degree of breeding which Bakewell thought sufficient to 
communicate to horses employed in draught. His example was beneficial; and Leicestershire, as well as the adjoining counties 
of Derby and Stafford, became distinguished for the breeding of this class of Horses. 
I he modern English Black Horse retains the general characteristics of the pre-existing race, but greatly modified. His 
colour is usually a sooty black, with frequently a white lozenge-shaped mark on the forehead; and he has very generally one or 
moi e of the feet and part of the legs, and not unfrequently the muzzle, white. His body is massive, compact, and round ; his 
limbs are stout; his chest is enormously broad, and his neck and back are short. His mane is thick and somewhat frizzled, 
and his legs below the knee and hock are hairy down to the heels. His whole aspect conveys the idea of great physical power without 
corresponding action. The main defects of his conformation and temperament, are his too great bulk of body and want of action 
and mettle. For a pull with a heavy weight he is admirable ; but he steps out short, and is slow in all his motions. 
These powerful horses are in extensive demand, not only in the midland counties, where they are chiefly reared, but over all 
the south of England, for the labours of the field, and for waggons and heavy carriages of all kinds. They are every where to be 
seen moving at a slow pace in the numerous heavy waggons by which merchandise is conveyed inland, and in great numbers in 
all the larger cities and sea-port towns, where they are used for the transport of heavy goods at wharfs, for the carriage of coals, 
timber, building materials, and for a thousand purposes. In London, where the largest and finest are in demand for the carts of 
brewers, the waggons of coal-merchants, and other uses, the stranger sees with admiration the vast number of enormous carriages 
in endless motion through the crowded streets, drawn by teams of the largest horses in the world : and doubtless there is something 
noble in the aspect of these huge creatures, yoked in lines, and obedient to the voice amidst all the tumult of a great city; but 
examination shows, that there is an excessive waste of power, both in the unnecessary bulk of the animals, and in the manner in 
which their services are performed. They are usually attached in lines, which causes them to pull by sudden jerks and with un¬ 
equal foice ; and in turning the corners of narrow streets and lanes, it is often seen that the entire weight of the enormous carriage is 
thrown, for a time, upon the shaft horse. It is contended by many, that extreme weight and bulk of body are necessary for these 
horses to enable them to resist the jolting and sudden obstacles encountered on the rough pavement which they never leave. But in 
tmth r it is habit and a species of pride which lead the owners of waggons to prefer the largest and most showy horses to those of 
moderate size and more useful action; for experience cannot but show that it is muscular force, and not the vis inertice of great 
weight of body, which best enables a horse to overcome continued obstacles. The mere gratification of taste, however, in the employ¬ 
ment of these immense and splendid horses, would scarce require a passing censure, were it not that this gratification exercises a 
really huitful influence in the breeding districts, causing attention to be directed to size and appearance rather than to useful pro¬ 
perties, and tending to perpetuate that unnecessary bulk of body which constitutes so great a defect in the breed. Nor is this influ¬ 
ence unimportant in degree, for it is to be observed, that the demand for horses of the largest class is not confined to the capital, 
but extends to all the numerous cities and populous towns where drays and waggons are in use. When animals of the largest size 
are in demand, and the highest prices are paid for them, it becomes the interest of breeders to employ large stallions, and use 
every means to favour the development of size in individuals. In the counties of Lincoln and Cambridge, whence the great Lon¬ 
don drays are chiefly supplied, a breeder measures his success by the stature of the individuals which he is able to rear. At the 
age of two years and a half, the colts are often upwards of seventeen hands high. They are bought at this age by graziers near 
the capital, and used in the light work of the plough until four years old, when they are fit for the services to which they are 
destined, and disposed of at high prices. 
But the great English Black Horse, with all his existing defects of temperament and form, undoubtedly affords the basis of 
a valuable bleed of horses suited to the labour of the fields and heavy draught of every kind. But in order that he may be 
bi ought to the degree of improvement of which he is capable, sound opinions must prevail regarding the properties required in a 
horse of draught, and the means of using his powers. Strength and weight are doubtless an essential requisite in this class of 
lioises , but the stiength required is that which is produced by a just conformation of parts, and not by mere weight of body. A 
Draught Hoise should, along with the form indicative of physical strength, possess length and depth of the posterior extremities, 
with the form of shoulder which shall allow him to step out freely. In these points the English Black Horse is eminently defec¬ 
tive, and his pace accordingly is slower than that perhaps of any other Horse of the same class in Europe. Nevertheless a great 
improvement has lecentlv been effected on the breed, which, it is to be trusted, will be progressive. 
