face and on the legs below the knees and hocks. Other colors are occasionally observed, though uncommon.

The head is large with a tendency to a Roman face, and often lacking width between the eyes. The neck is short, well crested and muscular. The shoulders are likely to be too straight, making the action in front short and stilted, although this conformation is considered advantageous for draft. The body of the Shire is larger and deeper than that of the Clydesdale, with a stronger and more powerful appearing loin. The quarters are full and heavily muscled. The legs above the knees and hocks are well muscled and powerful, while the joints are large

and strong. The cannons are fairly full, the pasterns inclined to be straight and the feet large, with rather flat heels. The backs of the cannons support a long growth of hair, as in the Clydesdales, which should be long, fine and flowing, as this indicates quality.

Criticisms of the Shire.-As in the Clydesdale, the hairy legs are much criticized, particularly in America. The rather straight shoulders and straight, short pasterns result in lack of action. The feet are often too flat, with heels too low. Owing to the weight, criticism is often passed on the lack of quality and the sluggish temperament.

Uses of the Shire draft horse.-This breed is useful for heavy draft and for crossing on native common mares, in which capacity it is an important factor in improving our horse stock for draft purposes. This is attested by the high prices obtained for Shire grades upon our horse markets. In 1904 a Shire gelding, weighing 2,210 pounds, sold for $865, which, at that time, was the highest price reported.

Distribution of the Shire draft horse.-This breed enjoys great popularity in England, where it is first among draft horses. From England it has spread into most other English-speaking countries and to Europe and South America; particularly to Germany and Argentine Republic. In America it is most popular in the north central states, especially in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

Organizations and records.-The English Cart Horse Society was organized in 1878 and a stud book established. In 1884 the name of the society was changed to the Shire Horse Society, which at present has a large and influential membership. Thirty odd volumes of the stud book have appeared, recording many thousands of animals. In 1885 the American Shire Association was organized and a stud book established, of which eight volumes have been published containing a total of 12,850 pedigrees.

CHAPTER XIX

THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE

While but recently introduced to America, the Belgian draft horse is very popular, especially where massive drafters are demanded. At the present time, possibly, this breed ranks next to the Percheron and Standardbred in public favor (p. 434).

The native home of the Belgian draft horse. As the name indicates, this breed is a native of Belgium. Though a small country, Belgium has a reputation as the home of draft horses extending back through several centuries. The soil and the climate, as well as the habits of the people, provide ideal conditions for the development of large horses. The Belgian people are passionately fond of horse breeding, although the farms are small and, consequently, the breeding of horses is carried on in small holdings and on a limited scale.

The origin of the Belgian draft horse.-As with many of the other breeds of horses, the real origin is obscure. It is stated that as early as the time of Cæsar, and even before, the Belgian people were great judges of horses and willing to pay high prices for superior animals. For many centuries the horses of Belgium have been in great demand, and it is stated that the greater part of the Roman cavalry consisted of Belgian horses. Certain it is that up to about the sixteenth century horse breeding was a very important industry in Belgium, but with the invention and general use of gunpowder, it seems that the horse was largely relegated to agricultural pursuits.

In the early history of the Belgian draft horse no particular animals appear to have been prominent, nor has any breeder of outstanding influence appeared. Unlike most of the other breeds of horses, the Belgian has been

almost entirely the product of its environment. Further, many, if not all, the draft breeds of Great Britain and France were greatly improved during their formative period by the use of the heavy Flemish horse, the early progenitor of the Belgian. While this country has long been famous for its ponderous horses, yet modern horse breeding, in its greatest activity, is comparatively

recent.

Early types of Belgian horses. In the early development of the breed, with each district trying to produce the highest type of draft horse, several types, more or less distinct, sprang into existence. Thus we find refer

ence to the Flanders horse, the Brabancon horse, the horse of Hageland, the horse of Hesbaye, the horse of Hainaut, the horse of Condroz and the horse of Ardennais. These types have very largely disappeared, although in western Flanders horses having the characteristics of the Frisonne-Flemish are sometimes found, but they are becoming more and more rare.

The Belgian methods for improving the horse.-In 1850 interest in horse breeding was greatly stimulated

by the establishment of a government breeding stud at Tervueren. Since that date the government has given special attention to the improvement of draft horses. The sum of about 400,000 francs ($75,000) is annually expended in behalf of this work. Much of this money is awarded as prizes at horse shows, which are controlled by provincial regulations and which occur in about 50 different places. Foals, mares and stallions are each recognized, and an idea of the extent and influence may be gained by a brief review of the stallion regulations. At each show a first and second prize is awarded to both three-year-old and aged stallions, which includes all stallions four years old and over. In the three-year-old class the first prize is 400 francs and the second 300 francs, while in the aged class the first is 550 francs and the second 400 francs. Further, the examining committee may award a maintenance bounty of 700 francs to an aged stallion that has won a first prize at a previous annual show. A similar prize of 500 francs may be awarded to an aged stallion that has won second place for two years. The committee may nominate exceptional stallions that have won bounty prizes, to compete for a grand prize of 6,000 francs, payable annually by fifths, so long as the animals remain approved. At the end of the five years the owner of such a stallion, if remaining approved, may draw an annual bounty of from 600 to 800 francs.

In order to retain the best stallions in Belgium the regulations provide that in case a stallion, which has received the 6,000 francs bounty, is sold to leave the country, the fifths already received by the owner must be returned to the state treasury. In addition to all this there are other extra prizes that may be awarded to stallions that win a first or a second prize as well as to stallions of subordinate rank. Bounties for maintenance may also be awarded to the owners of the best mares in order to retain them in the country.