IN THE days when horse power ruled supreme on farms, the powerful Shire breed was the usual one in South Westmorland and North Lancashire. However, the farmers of North Westmorland and Cumberland tended to favour the Clydesdale breed.

Not surprisingly, the Clydesdale Breed Society claimed that its horses were the "Finest Draught Horses in the World". Of course, the Shire Horse Society would make the same claim, so I suppose you paid your money and you took your choice.

As almost all the heavy horses I have written about over the years have been Shires, it is only fair that I set down something of the history of the Clydesdale breed. The Clydesdale Horse Society was initiated on the eve of the Glasgow Stallion Show at the end of February, 1877. It was then launched in June 1877, with the first volume of the Stud Book being published the following December when the breed was already a century-and-a-half old.

The Clydesdale Horse is the pride of Scotland and is a native breed which was founded in Lanarkshire Clydesdale being the old name for the district.

The breed goes back to the middle of the 18th Century when native horses of Lanarkshire were graded up in an effort to produce greater weight and substance by the use of Flemish stallions. The first of these stallions was imported by the Sixth Duke of Hamilton, was dark brown in colour and was kept for the benefit of his tenantry who were granted its use free of charge.

A Flemish stallion was also brought in from England by John Paterson, of Lochlyloch, and he was black with a white face and some white on his legs. This turned out to be a good move and Lochlyloch blood became both famous and much sought after. People saw a marked improvement in resulting colts and fillies from this district when they were seen at various fairs in the country.

The next horse of note that proved to be a great breeder was called Blaze, a black 16hh stallion with a white ratch on his face, owned by Mr Scott, of Carstairs. Blaze took first prize in 1782 at an Edinburgh Show and did good service in Lanarkshire for many years. His breeding was not known, but his shape, style and action gave people the impression he may have come from coaching blood.

A famous sire was an entire called Baron's Pride who was the sire of Baron of Buchlyvie. Foaled in 1900 and bred by William McKeith, he was sold at auction in Ayr in 1911 to William Dunlop of Dunure Mains, Ayr, for £9,500 the equivalent today would be upwards of £300,000.

Judges expect a Clydesdale to look handsome, weighty and powerful, but with a gaiety of carriage and outlook, so that the impression is given of quality and weight, rather than grossness and bulk.

Among country folk there is an old saying that goes "No feet no horse". So, obviously, a judge will pay great attention to the horse's feet.

Great store is set on the feather on the legs with British judges going for the silkiness of their hair.

I am indebted to Mrs Marguerite Osborn, Secretary to the Clydesdale Horse Society, for supplying me with some useful information about Clydesdale Horses.

Dialect word: Thak meaning thatch.

Thought for the day: There is often wisdom under a shabby coat.

May 8, 2003 16:00