MODERN CLYDESDALES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1837, 25 August 1913, Page 10

MODERN CLYDESDALES.

v MOItE WEIGHT WANTED

. Breeders of Glydesdalo horses arc bebinning (says "The Field") to realise that they liavo gone beyond the limits of prudence in cultivating quality of limb and action at' tho expenso of weight and substance. Tho modern Clydesdale possesses many of the attributes of the ideal farm flat bonoj silky hair in no excessivo profusion, and free, clean, action, all of which mako for enduranoe and economy. For. street- work, however, something more than quality is required, and tho'sc buyers wlio pay tho best prices for draught geldings contend that the Clydesdale falls short of their standard 111 weight and hauling power. There is somo truth in tho argument that tho Clydesdale gelding is relatively a deeper bodied and'moro muscular animal than? tlio stallions and marcs, as is shown by the fino typo of dray horses to bo seen on tho streets of any of the Scottish cities. In comparison with tho .Shire, however, tho,northern breed is at'a disadvantage iu competing for tho custom of the best buyers. • Hitherto, the Scot-; tish breed had held a strong position in North America, and especially iu Canada, but thoro aro indications, that neglect of size and weight may lead to its subordiratiou, oven in tlio Dominion. This year tho exports to Canada haVe fallen short of that of rceent seasons, and it is stated that, although a number of buyers liavo now arrived, they have mado tho journey to Scotland via

Franco, the Perelieron breed of which country lias beeii claiming attention. This fact is hold to.bodo 110 good for the Clydesdalo, and it supporters would do well, to lay to heart the lessons inculcated.