The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-10-28
DRAFT HORSES.

DRAFT HORSES.
Almost all horses are used for draw
lug burdens of some kind: hence might
be called "draft" horses. But in Amer
ica the name is applied to those horses
best fitted for heavy work. In England
aed Scotland the horses classed as Sag
ricultural' at the fairs are as large and
powerful as the average of the heavy
draft horses of America. In those
countries the term cart or dray horses
is sometimes used to describe classes
designed for very heavy work.
Before the general introduction of
canals and railroads there was good
demand for powerful horses to be used
ON the road. Some localities became
noted for heavy draft stock; and the
horses of this class in those regions
probably well deserved 10 be classed as
distinct breeds. The best known of
these locally favorite breeds was the
Conestogo, Of Pennsylvania. At pres
ent we have no horses of this class which
are recognized as pure breed, except
those belonging to breeds directly in
PRODUCED from Europe. OF these for
eign breeds we have the French, the
English and the Scotch, or Clydesdale
draft horses. These have been crossed
with each other and with various other
classes of horses, SO that q large per
centage of the American horses of suffi-
cient size and power to be properly
Chased as heavy draft horees are Of
mixed or unknown breeding.
As will be seen in the descriptions to
be given, the different breeds have we'll
defined characteristics, and differ from
each other in important points. But it
is also true that there are many points
of resemblance between all heavy draft
horses, whether of pure or mixed breed
ing. A good horse for heavy draft will
be large and strong. Usually he will
be at least sixteen hands high, and will
weigh not less than ], 400 pounds when
In good flesh. He should have power
full muscles and good bony structure.
As rule, be will have a quiet DISPOSE
hon. He should have good walk, but
should not be expected to be fast trot-
ter, and it would be absurd to expect
him to win running matches.
The different breeds differ from each
other in color, in peculiarities of form
In qu;ckness of motion, in character of
the hair, etc. Oftentimes, however,
nearly equally marked differences are
found in the same breed. Some will be
fitted for the heaviest class of work,
while others in size, action and DISPOSE
ton are best fitted for ordinary farm or
omnibus work.
As is true of all other classes of an
mails, no ONE breed can be pronounced
best for all localities nor for all kinds of
heavy work. As rule, the breed have
been brought to their present develop
ment rs much by the peculiarities of the
climate and soil of their native regions
as by the deliberate choice of man. In
making selections for different portions
Of the country, the purpose for which
the animal is designed aud the local pc
culiarities Should be as much thought
of as the reputation of the different
breeds in their bosses.
The English Agricultural Gazette pre-
faces an account of the cart horse at the
ROYAL Agricultural Society's show for
1880 with the following statement:
"Much of the distinctive differccs of
the breeds is owing to soil and climate
and their results-the nature of the
heritage the horses are reared on-rath-
or. than to any popularity of blood.
Clydesdal,. men prefer the Ciydesdale
type: because, short-legged, active and
hardy, it can accommodate itself 10 steep
hills and winds. The Shirebrcd, devei-
oped by the rich pastures of the fens,
is preferable there, because it is adapt
ed to the fats on which IFS huge frame
can exert itself without firing. The
Suffolk wins approval upon bird lime
soil, which would cling to feathered legs
(egs provided with long, coarse hair.
anu take vast deal OF trouble TO re-
move. II would be hard to say why
any of the admirers of each variety
should change his servants. They are
in place, and there they had better
stay"
This paragraph is too sweeping a
statement Of important truths.
One of the most common faults of
both imported and home-brek draft
horses in America is that too much at
tentiOn has been given to mere size
A remarkably large animal is rarely an
especially valuable one. Many draft
stations which have sold for high prices
OF late years have had no other merit
than enormous size, and often this did
not compensate for various defects. II
was natural that the reaction from the
high favor in which small horses had
been held should have gone too far
but the bad consequences from using
overgrown, coarse, sometimes diseased
stations have been none the less scri-
Ous.-Fdrmeys' Reriew.