The Shire Horse in Peace and War

The Number Exported

“It may be true that the number of horses exported during the last year or two has been higher than ever, but when the average value of those that go to ‘other countries’ than Holland, Belgium, and France, is worked out, it does not allow of such specimens as would excite the admiration of a foreign merchant or Colonial farmer being exported, except in very isolated instances; then the tendency of American buyers is to give preference to stallions which are on the quality rather than on the weighty side, and as the mares to which they are eventually put are also light boned, the typical English dray horse is not produced.

“During the past year (1905) foreign buyers have been giving very high prices for Shorthorn cattle, and if they would buy in the same spirited manner at the Shire sales, a much more creditable animal could be obtained for shipment. As an advertisement for the Shire it is obviously beneficial that the Shire Horse Society—which is unquestionably the most successful breed society in existence—gives prizes for breeding stock and also geldings at a few of the most important horse shows in the United States. This tends to bring the breed into prominence abroad, and it is certain that many Colonial farmers would rejoice at being able to breed working geldings of a similar type to those which may be seen shunting trucks on any large railway station in England, or walking smartly along in front of a binder in harvest. The writer has a relative farming in the North-West Territory of Canada, and his last letter says, ‘The only thing in the stock line that there is much money in now is horses; they are keeping high, and seem likely to for years, as so many new settlers are coming in all the time, and others do not seem able to raise enough for their own needs’; and it may be mentioned that almost the only kind of stallions available there are of the Percheron breed, which is certainly not calculated to improve the size, or substance, of the native draught horse stock.

The Cost of Shipping

“The cost of shipping a horse from Liverpool to New York is about £11, which is not prohibitive for such an indispensable animal as the Shire horse, and if such specimens of the breed as the medal winners at shows like Peterborough could be exhibited in the draught horse classes at the best horse shows of America, it is more than probable that at least some of the visitors would be impressed with their appearance, and an increase in the export trade in Shires might thereby be brought about.

“A few years ago the price of high-class Shire stallions ran upwards of a thousand pounds, which placed them beyond the reach of exporters; but the reign of what may be called ‘fancy’ prices appears to be over, at least for a time, seeing that the general sale averages have declined since that of Lord Llangattock in October, 1900, when the record average of £226 1s. 8d. was made, although the best general average for the sales of any single year was obtained in 1901, viz. £112 5s. 10d. for 633 animals, and it was during that year that the highest price for Shires was obtained at an auction sale, the sum being 1550 guineas, given by Mr. Leopold Salomons, for the stallion Hendre Champion, at the late Mr. Crisp’s sale at Girton. Other high-priced stallions purchased by auction include Marmion II., 1400 guineas, and Chancellor, 1100 guineas, both by Mr. Crisp. Waresley Premier Duke, 1100 guineas, and Hendre Crown Prince, 1100 guineas, were two purchases of Mr. Victor Cavendish in the year 1897. These figures show that the worth of a really good Shire stallion can hardly be estimated, and it is certain that the market for this particular class of animal is by no means glutted, but rather the reverse, as the number of males offered at the stud sales is always limited, which proves that there is ‘room on the top’ for the stallion breeder, and with this fact in view and the possible chance of an increased foreign trade in stallions it behoves British breeders of Shires to see to it that there is no falling off in the standard of the horses ‘raised,’ to use the American word, but rather that a continual improvement is aimed at, so that visitors from horse-breeding countries may find what they want if they come to ‘the stud farm of the world.’

“The need to keep to the right lines and breed from good old stock which has produced real stock-getting stallions cannot be too strongly emphasised, for the reason that there is a possibility of the British market being overstocked with females, with a corresponding dearth of males, both stallions and geldings, and although this is a matter which breeders cannot control they can at least patronise a strain of blood famous for its males. The group of Premier—Nellie Blacklegs’ brothers, Northwood, Hydrometer, Senator, and Calwich Topsman—may be quoted as showing the advisability of continuing to use the same horse year after year if colt foals are bred, and wanted, and the sire is a horse of merit.

“With the number of breeders of Shire horses and the plentiful supply of mares, together with the facilities offered by local stallion-hiring societies, it ought not to be impossible to breed enough high-grade sires to meet the home demand and leave a surplus for export as well, and the latter of the class that will speak for themselves in other countries, and lead to enquiries for more of the same sort.

Few High Prices from Exporters

“It is noteworthy that few, if any, of the high prices obtained for Shires at public sales have come from exporters or buyers from abroad, but from lovers of the heavy breed in England, who have been either forming or replenishing studs, therefore, ‘the almighty dollar’ has not been responsible for the figures above quoted. Still it is probable that with the opening up of the agricultural industry in Western Canada, South Africa, and elsewhere, Shire stallions will be needed to help the Colonial settlers to build up a breed of horses which will be useful for both tillage and haulage purposes.

“The adaptability of the Shire horse to climate and country is well known, and it is satisfactory for home breeders to hear that Mr. Martinez de Hoz has recently sold ten Shires, bred in Argentina, at an average of £223 2s. 6d., one, a three-year-old, making £525.

“Meanwhile it might be a good investment if a syndicate of British breeders placed a group of typical Shire horses in a few of the biggest fairs or shows in countries where weighty horses are wanted, and thus further the interests of the Shire abroad, and assist in developing the export trade.”

It may be added that during the summer of 1906, H.M. King Edward and Lord Rothschild sent a consignment of Shires to the United States of America for exhibition.

CHAPTER XV
Prominent Present-Day Studs

He joined the Shire Horse Society in February, 1891, and at the show of 1892 made five entries for the London Show at which he purchased the second prize three-year-old stallion Carbonite (by Carbon by Lincolnshire Lad II.) from Mr. Edward Green for 1100 guineas. He is remembered by the writer as being a wide and weighty horse on short legs which carried long hair in attendance, and this type has been found at Tring Park ever since. In 1895 his lordship won first and third with two chestnut fillies—Vulcan’s Flower by the Champion Vulcan and Walkern Primrose by Hitchin Duke (by Bar None). The former won the Filly Cup and was subsequently sold to help to found the famous stud of Sir Walpole Greenwell at Marden Park, Surrey, the sum given being a very high one for those days.

The first championship was obtained with the mare Alston Rose in 1901, which won like honours for Mr. R. W. Hudson in 1902, after costing him 750 guineas at the second sale at Tring Park, January 15, 1902.

Solace, bred by King Edward, was the next champion mare from Lord Rothschild’s stud. Girton Charmer, winner of the Challenge Cup in 1905, was included in a select shipment of Shires sent to America (as models of the breed) by our late lamented King and Lord Rothschild in 1906. Princess Beryl, Belle Cole, Chiltern Maid, were mares to win highest honours for the stud, while a young mare which passed through Lord Rothschild’s hands, and realized a four-figure sum for him as a two-year-old from the Devonshire enthusiasts, Messrs. W. and H. Whitley, is Lorna Doone, the Champion mare of 1914.

Champion’s Goalkeeper, the Tring record-breaker, has been mentioned, so we can now refer to the successful stud of which he is the central figure, viz. that owned by Sir Walpole Greenwell at Marden Park, Woldingham, Surrey, who, as we have seen, bought a good filly from the Tring Stud in 1895, the year in which he became a member of the Shire Horse Society. At Lord Rothschild’s first sale in 1898, he purchased Windley Lily for 430 guineas, and Moorish Maiden, a three-year-old filly, for 350, since when he has bid only for the best. At the Tandridge dispersion sale he gave over a thousand pounds for the Lockinge Forest King mare, Fuchsia of Tandridge, and her foal. Sir Walpole was one of the first to profit by the Lockinge Forest King blood, his filly, Marden Peach, by that sire having been a winner at the Royal of 1908, while her daughter, Marden Constance, has had a brilliant show career, so has Dunsmore Chessie, purchased from Mr. T. Ewart as a yearling, twice London Champion mare.

No sale has been held at Marden, but consignments have been sold at Peterborough, so that the prefix is frequently met with.

The stud owner who is willing to give £4305 for a two-year-old colt deserves success.

The Primley Stud

At the Dunsmore Sale on February 14, 1907, Mr. W. Whitley purchased Dunsmore Fuchsia (by Jameson), the London Cup winner of 1905 and 1906, for 520 guineas, also Quality by the same sire, and these two won second and third for him in London the same month, this being the first show at which the Primley shires took honours.

The purchase of Tatton Dray King, the Champion stallion of 1908, by Messrs. W. and H. Whitley in the spring of 1909 for 3700 guineas created quite a sensation, as it was an outstanding record, it stood so for nearly four years.

One of the most successful show mares in this—or any—stud is Mollington Movement by Lockinge Forest King, but the reigning queen is Lorna Doone, the London and Peterborough Champion of 1914, purchased privately from the Tring Park Stud. Another built on the same lines is Sussex Pride with which a Bucks tenant farmer, Mr. R. H. Keene, won first and reserve champion at the London Show of 1913, afterwards selling her to Messrs. Whitley, who again won with her in 1914. With such animals as these Devonshire is likely to hold its own with Shires, although they do not come from the district known to the law makers of old as the breeding ground of “the Great Horse.”

The Pendley Females

One of the most successful exhibitors of mares, fillies, and foals, at the shows of the past few seasons has been Mr. J. G. Williams, Pendley Manor, Tring. Like other exhibitors already mentioned, the one under notice owes much of his success to Lockinge Forest King. In 1908 Lord Egerton’s Tatton May Queen was purchased for 420 guineas, she having been first in London as a yearling and two-year-old; Bardon Forest Princess, a reserve London Champion, and Barnfields Forest Queen, Cup winner there, made a splendid team of winners by the sire named. At the Tring Park sale of 1913 Mr. Williams gave the highest price made by a female, 825 guineas, for Halstead Duchess VII., by Redlynch Forest King. She won the Royal Championship at Bristol for him. One of the later acquisitions is Snelston Lady, by Slipton King, Cup winner and reserve Champion in London, 1914, as a three-year-old, first at the Royal, and reserve Champion at Peterborough. Mr. Williams joined the Shire Horse Society in 1906, since when he has won all but the London Championship with his mares and fillies.

A New Stud

After Champion’s Goalkeeper was knocked down Mr. Beck announced that the disappointed bidder was Mr. C. R. H. Gresson, acting for the Edgcote Shorthorn Company, Wardington, Banbury, his date of admission to the Shire Horse Society being during that same month, February, 1913. Having failed to get the popular colt, his stable companion and half brother, Stockman III., was purchased for 540 guineas, and shown in London just after, where he won fourth prize. From this single entry in 1913 the foundation of the stud was so rapid that seven entries were made at the 1914 London Show. Fine Feathers was the first prize yearling filly, Blackthorn Betty the second prize two-year-old filly, the own bred Edgcote Monarch being the second prize yearling colt. After the show Lord Rothschild’s first prize two-year colt, Orfold Blue Blood, was bought, together with Normandy Jessie, the third prize yearling colt; so with these two, Fine Feathers, Betty, Chirkenhill Forest Queen, and Writtle Coming Queen, the Edgcote Shorthorn Co., Ltd., took a leading place at the shows of 1914. In future Edgcote promises to be as famous for its Shires as it has hitherto been for its Shorthorns.

Ducal Studs

A very successful exhibitor of the past season has been his Grace the Duke of Westminster, who owns a very good young sire in Eaton Nunsuch—so good that he has been hired by the Peterborough Society. Shires have been bred on the Eaton Hall estate for many years, and the stud contains many promising animals now.

Mention must be made of the great interest taken in Shires by the Duke of Devonshire who, as the Hon. Victor Cavendish, kept a first-class stud at Holker, Lancs. At the Royal Show of 1909 (Gloucester) Holker Mars was the Champion Shire stallion, Warton Draughtsman winning the Norwich Royal Championship, and also that of the London Show of 1912 for his popular owner.

Other Studs

Among those who have done much to promote the breeding of the Old English type of cart-horse, the name of Mr. Clement Keevil deserves a foremost place. At Blagdon, Malden, Surrey, he held a number of stud sales in the eighties and nineties, to which buyers went for massive-limbed Shires of the good old strains; those with a pedigree which traced back to Honest Tom (alias Little David), foaled in the year 1769, to Wiseman’s Honest Tom, foaled in 1800, or to Samson a sire weighing 1 ton 8 cwt. Later he had a stud at Billington, Beds, where several sales were held, the last being in 1908, when Mr. Everard gave 860 guineas for the stallion, Lockinge Blagdon. Shortly before that he sold Blagdon Benefactor for 1000 guineas.

The prefix “Birdsall” has been seen in show catalogues for a number of years, which mean that the animals holding it were bred, or owned, by Lord Middleton, at Birdsall, York, he being one of the first noblemen to found a stud, and he has ably filled the Presidential Chair of the Shire Horse Society. As long ago as the 1892 London Show there were two entries from Birdsall by Lord Middleton’s own sire, Northwood, to which reference is made elsewhere.

Another notable sire purchased by his lordship was Menestrel, first in London, 1900 (by Hitchin Conqueror), his most famous son being Birdsall Menestrel, dam Birdsall Darling by Northwood, sold to Lord Rothschild as a yearling. As a two-year-old this colt was Cup winner and reserve Champion, and at four he was Challenge Cup winner. A good bidder at Shire sales, the breeder of a champion, and a consistent supporter of the Shire breeding industry since 1883, it is regrettable that champion honours have not fallen to Lord Middleton himself.

Another stud, which was founded near Leeds, by Mr. A. Grandage, has now been removed to Cheshire. Joining the Shire Horse Society in 1892, his first entry in London was made in 1893, and four years later, in 1897, Queen of the Shires (by Harold) won the mare Championship for Mr. Grandage.

In 1909 the winning four-year-old stallion, Gaer Conqueror, of Lincolnshire Lad descent, was bought from Mr. Edward Green for 825 guineas, which proved to be a real good investment for Mr. Grandage, seeing that he won the championship of the Shire Horse Show for the two following years, 1910 and 1911.

Candidates from the Bramhope Stud, Monks Heath, Chelford, Cheshire, are likely to give a very good account of themselves in the days to come.

Among those who will have the best Shires is Sir Arthur Nicholson, Highfield, Leek, Staffs. His first London success was third prize with Rokeby Friar (by Harold) as a two-year-old in 1893, since which date he has taken a keen personal interest in the breeding of Shire horses, and has the honour of having purchased Pailton Sorais, the highest-priced mare yet sold by auction. At the Tring sale of 1913 he gave the second highest price of that day, viz., 1750 guineas for the three-year-old stallion, Blacklands Kingmaker, who won first prize for him in London ten days after, but, alas, was taken ill during his season, for the Winslow Shire Horse Society, and died. Another bad loss to Sir Arthur and to Shire breeders generally was the death of Redlynch Forest King, seeing that he promised to rival his renowned sire, Lockinge Forest King, for begetting show animals.

Among the many good ones recently exhibited from the stud may be mentioned Leek Dorothy, twice first in London, and Leek Challenger, first as a yearling, second as a two-year-old, both of these being by Redlynch Forest King. With such as these coming on there is a future before the Shires of Sir Arthur Nicholson.

The name of Muntz is familiar to all Shire breeders owing to the fame achieved by the late Sir P. Albert Muntz. In 1899 Mr. F. E. Muntz, of Umberslade, Hockley Heath, Warwickshire, a nephew of the Dunsmore Baronet, joined the Shire Horse Society, and has since been President. Quite a good share of prizes have fallen to him, including the Cup for the best old stallion in London both in 1913 and 1914. The winner, Danesfield Stonewall, was reserved for the absolute championship on both occasions, and this typical “Old English Black” had a host of admirers, while Jones—the Umberslade stud groom—will never forget his parade before His Majesty King George at the 1913 show.

It used to be said that Shires did not flourish south of London, but Mr. Leopold Salomons, Norbury Park, Dorking, has helped to prove otherwise. Beginning with one entry at the 1899 Show, he has entered quite a string for several years, and the stud contains a number of high-class stallions, notably Norbury Menestrel, winner of many prizes, and a particularly well-bred and promising sire, and King of Tandridge (by Lockinge Forest King), purchased by Mr. Salomons at the Tandridge dispersion sale for 1600 guineas. At the sale during the London Show of 1914 Mr. Salomons realized the highest price with his own bred Norbury Coronation, by Norbury Menestrel, who, after winning third prize in his class, cost the Leigh Shire Horse Society 850 guineas, Norbury George, by the same sire, winning fifth prize, and making 600 guineas, both being three years old. This is the kind of advertisement for a stud, no matter where its situation.

Another Surrey enthusiast is Sir Edward Stern, Fan Court, Chertsey, who has been a member of the Shire Horse Society since 1903. He purchased Danesfield Stonewall from Mr. R. W. Hudson, and won several prizes before re-selling him to Mr. F. E. Muntz. His stud horses now includes Marathon II., champion at the Oxford County Show of 1910. Mares and fillies have also been successfully shown at the Royal Counties, and other meetings in the south of England from the Fan Court establishment.

A fine lot of Shires have been got together, at Tarnacre House, Garstang, and the first prize yearling at the London Show of 1914, King’s Choice, was bred by Messrs. J. E. and A. W. Potter, who also won first with Monnow Drayman, the colt with which Mr. John Ferneyhough took first prize as a three-year-old. With stallions of his type and mares as wide, deep, and well-bred as Champion’s Choice (by Childwick Champion), Shires full of character should be forthcoming from these Lancashire breeders.

The Carlton Stud continues to flourish, although its founder, the late Mr. James Forshaw, departed this life in 1908. His business abilities and keen judgment have been inherited by his sons, one of whom judged in London last year (1914), as his father did in 1900. This being a record in Shire Horse history for father and son to judge at the great Show of the breed.

Carlton has always been famous for its stallions. It has furnished London winners from the first, including the Champions Stroxton Tom (1902 and 1903), Present King II. (1906), and Stolen Duchess, the Challenge Cup winning mare of 1907.

The sires owned by the late Mr. Forshaw and his sons are too numerous to mention in detail. Bar None is spoken of elsewhere. Another very impressive stallion was What’s Wanted, the sire of Mr. A. C. Duncombe’s Premier (also mentioned in another chapter), and a large family of celebrated sons. His great grandsire was (Dack’s) Matchless 1509, a great sire in the Fen country, which travelled through Moulton Eaugate for thirteen consecutive seasons. The late Mr. Forshaw’s opinion of him is given on another page. One of the most successful Carlton sires of recent years has been Drayman XXIII., whose son, Tatton Dray King, won highest honours in London, and realized 3700 guineas when sold. Seeing that prizes were being won by stallions from this stud through several decades of last century, and that a large number have been travelled each season since, while a very large export trade has been done by Messrs. Forshaw and Sons, it need hardly be said that the influence of this stud has been world-wide.

It is impossible to mention all the existing studs in a little book like this, but three others will be now mentioned for the reason that they are carried on by those who formerly managed successful studs, therefore they have “kept the ball rolling,” viz. that of Mr. Thomas Ewart, at Dunsmore, who made purchases on his own behalf when the stud of the late Sir P. A. Muntz—which he had managed for so long—was dispersed, and has since brought out many winners, the most famous of which is Dunsmore Chessie. Mr. R. H. Keene, under whose care the Shires of Mr. R. W. Hudson (Past-President of the Shire Horse Society) at Danesfield attained to such prominence, although not actually taking over the prefix, took a large portion of the land, and carries on Shire breeding quite successfully on his own account.

The other of this class to be named is Mr. C. E. McKenna, who took over the Bardon stud from Mr. B. N. Everard when the latter decided to let the Leicestershire stud farm where Lockinge Forest King spent his last and worthiest years. Such enterprise gives farmers and men of moderate means faith in the great and growing industry of Shire Horse breeding.

Of stud owners who have climbed to prominence, although neither landowners, merchant princes, nor erstwhile stud managers, may be mentioned Mr. James Gould, Crouchley Lymm, Cheshire, whose Snowdon Menestrel was first in his class and reserve for the Stallion Cup at the 1914 London Show; Messrs. E. and J. Whinnerah, Warton, Carnforth, who won seventh prize with Warton Draughtsman in 1910, afterwards selling him to the Duke of Devonshire, who reached the top of the tree with him two years later.

Mr. Henry Mackereth, the new London judge of 1915, entered the exhibitors’ list at the London Show of 1899. Perhaps his most notable horse is Lunesdale Kingmaker, with which Lord Rothschild won fourth prize in 1907, he being the sire of Messrs. Potter’s King’s Choice above mentioned.

Many other studs well meriting notice could be dealt with did time and space permit, including that of a tenant farmer who named one of his best colts “Sign of Riches,” which must be regarded as an advertisement for the breed from a farmer’s point of view.

Of past studs only one will be mentioned, that of the late Sir Walter Gilbey, the dispersal having taken place on January 13, 1915. The first Shire sale at Elsenham was held in 1885—thirty years ago—when the late Lord Wantage gave the highest price, 475 guineas, for Glow, by Spark, the average of £172 4s. 6d. being unbeaten till the Scawby sale of 1891 (which was £198 17s. 3d.).

Sir Walter has been mentioned as one of the founders of the Shire Horse Society; his services in aid of horse breeding were recognized by presenting him with his portrait in oils, the subscribers numbering 1250. The presentation was made by King Edward (then Prince of Wales) at the London Show of 1891.

CHAPTER XVI
The Future Outlook

The cry of the army authorities is for “more and more men,” together with a demand for a constant supply of horses of many types, including the weight-moving War Horse, and if the supply is used up, with no provision being made for a quantity of four-footed recruits to haul the guns or baggage waggons in the days to come, the British Army, and most others, will be faced with a problem not easily solved.

The motor-mad mechanic may think that his chance has come, but generals who have to lead an army over water-logged plains, or snow-covered mountains, will demand horses, hitherto—and henceforth—indispensable for mounting soldiers on, rushing their guns quickly into position, or drawing their food supplies and munitions of war after them.

When the mechanic has provided horseless vehicles to do all this, horse breeding can be ignored by fighting men—not before. But horses, particularly draft horses, are needed for commercial use. So far, coal merchants are horse users, while brewers, millers, and other lorry users have not altogether discarded the horse-drawn vehicle.

For taking loads to and from the landing stage at Liverpool heavy horses will be in great demand after the war—perhaps greater than they have ever been. The railways will continue to exist, and, while they do, powerful Shire geldings must be employed; no other can put the necessary weight into the collar for shunting loaded trucks.

During the autumn of 1914 no other kind of advice—although they got plenty of it—was so freely and so frequently given to farmers as this, “grow more wheat.”

If this has been acted upon, and there is no doubt that it has, at least to some extent, it follows, as sure as the night follows the day, that more horses will be required by those who grow the wheat. The land has to be ploughed and cultivated, the crop drilled, cut, carted home and delivered to mill, or railway truck, all meaning horse labour.

It may happen that large farmers will use motor ploughs or steam waggons, but these are beyond the reach of the average English farmer. Moreover, when bought they depreciate in value, whether working or standing idle, which is exactly what the Shire gelding or brood mare does not do. If properly cared for and used they appreciate in value from the time they are put to work until they are six or seven years old, and by that age most farmers have sold their non-breeders to make room for younger animals. Horse power is therefore the cheapest and most satisfactory power for most farmers to use in front of field implements and farm waggons, a fact which is bound to tell in favour of the Shire in the coming times of peace which we anticipate.

When awarding prizes for the best managed farm, the judges appointed by the Royal Agricultural Society of England are instructed to consider—

“General Management with a view to profit,” so that any breed of live stock which leaves a profit would help a competitor.

Only a short time ago a Warwickshire tenant farmer told his landlord that Shire horses had enabled himself and many others to attend the rent audit, “with a smile on his face and the rent in his pocket.”

Most landlords are prepared to welcome a tenant in that state, therefore they should continue to encourage the industry as they have done during the past twenty-five years.

Wars come to an end—the “Thirty Years’ War” did—so let us remember the Divine promise to Noah after the flood, “While the earth remaineth seedtime and harvest … shall not cease,” Gen. 8:22. As long as there is sowing and reaping to be done horses—Shire horses—will be wanted.

INDEX

• A
• Alston Rose, champion mare 1901 … 104
• Armour-clad warriors, 1, 7
• Army horses, 6
• Ashbourne Foal Show, 80
• Attention to feet, 42
• Aurea, champion mare, 18, 65
• Author’s Preface, v
• Average prices, 76
• B
• Back breeding, value of, 11, 13, 39
• Bakewell, Robert, 2, 22, 54
• Bardon Extraordinary, champion gelding, 65, 78
• Bardon Stud, 118
• Bar None, 80
• Bearwardcote Blaze, 60
• Bedding, 35
• Birdsall Menestrel, 84, 111
• —— stud, 110
• Black horses, Bakewell’s, 55
• Black horses from Flanders, 58
• Blagdon Stud, 110
• Blending Shire and Clydesdale breeds, 59
• Boiled barley, 36
• Bradley, Mr. John, 83
• Bramhope stud, 111
• Breeders, farmer, 27
• Breeders, prizes for, 65
• Breeding from fillies, 17
• Breeding, time for, 31
• Bury Victor Chief, champion in 1892 … 68, 69
• Buscot Harold, champion stallion, 17, 65
• C
• Calwich Stud, 61, 80
• Canada, 101
• Carbonite, 103
• Care of the feet, 42
• Carlton Stud, 116
• Cart-colts, 23
• Cart-horses, 54
• Castrating colts, 39
• Certificate of Soundness, 62
• Champion’s Goalkeeper, champion in 1913 and 1914 … 67, 104
• Champions bred at Sandringham, 3
• Cheap sires, 12
• Clark, Mr. A. H., 79
• Clydesdales, 58
• Coats of mail, 51
• Coke’s, Hon. E., dispersion sale, 3
• Colonies, 94
• Colour, 38
• Composition of food, 33
• Condition and bloom, 36
• Cost of feeding, 33
• Cost of shipping Shires, 98
• Crisp, Mr. F., 63, 70
• Cross, Mr. J. P., 81
• Crushed oats and bran, 31
• D
• Dack’s Matchless, 82, 116
• Danesfield Stonewall, 114
• Details of shows, 60
• Development grant, 14
• Devonshire, Duke of, 109
• Doubtful breeders, 37
• Draught horses, 23
• Drayman XXIII, 117
• Drew, Lawrence, of Merryton, 59
• Duncombe, Mr. A. C., 69, 80
• Dunsmore Chessie, 81, 105
• —— Gloaming, 3, 72
• —— Jameson, 80
• —— Stud, 80
• E
• Eadie, Mr. James, 65, 78
• Early breeding, 17
• Eaton Hall Stud, 109
• Eaton Nunsuch, 109
• Edgcote Shorthorn Company’s Stud, 108
• Effect of war on cost of feeding, 40
• Egerton of Tatton, Lord, 2, 77
• Ellesmere, Earl of, 2, 7, 70
• Elsenham Cup, 18, 79
• Elsenham Hall Stud, 119
• English cart-horse, 2
• Entries at London shows, 61
• Everard, Mr. B. N., 118
• Ewart, Mr. T., 117
• Exercise, 23, 27
• Export trade, 92, 95
• F
• Facts and figures, 61
• Fattening horses, 26
• Feet, care of, 42
• Fillies, breeding from, 17
• Flemish horses, 1, 53, 57
• Flora, by Lincolnshire Lad, 60
• Foals, time for, 31
• Foals, treatment of, 32
• Foods and feeding, 30
• Formation of Shire Horse Society, 13
• Forshaw, Mr. James, 80, 116
• Foundation stock, 9
• Founding a stud, 8
• Freeman-Mitford, Mr., now Lord Redesdale, 62
• Future outlook, 21
• G
• Gaer Conqueror, 112
• Galbraith, Mr. A., 92
• Geldings at the London Show, 64
• ——, demand for, 15, 24
• ——, production of, 15
• Gilbey, Sir Walter, 2, 14, 51, 54, 119
• Girton Charmer, champion in 1905 … 104
• Glow, famous mare, 16, 119
• Good workers, 23
• Gould, Mr. James, 118
• Grading up, 8
• Grandage, Mr. A., 111
• Green, Mr. E., 112
• Greenwell, Sir Walpole, 105
• Griffin, Mr. F. W., 79
• H
• Halstead Duchess VII., 107
• Halstead Royal Duke, champion in 1909 … 68, 83
• Haltering, 28
• Hamilton, Duke of, importations, 58
• Harold, 60
• Hastings, Battle of, 53
• Hay, 33
• Heath, Mr. R., 85
• Henderson’s, Sir Alexander, successes in 1898 … 64
• Hendre Champion, 99
• Hendre Crown Prince, 70, 99
• Hereditary diseases, 76
• High prices, 69
• Highfield Stud, Leek, 112
• History of the Shire, 51
• Hitchin Conqueror, London champion, 1891, 62
• Honest Tom, 74
• Horse, population and the war, 18, 120
• Horse-power cheapest, 123
• Horses for the army, 6
• Horses at Bannockburn, 52
• How to show a Shire, 48
• Hubbard, Mr. Matthew, 79
• Huntingdon, Earl of, importations, 58
• I
• Importations from Flanders and Holland, 53, 57
• Inherited complaints, 10
• J
• Judges at London Shire Shows, 1890-1915 … 87
• K
• Keene, Mr. R. H., 117
• Keevil, Mr. Clement, 110
• King Edward VII., 3, 73, 86, 102
• King George, 114
• L
• Lady Victoria, Lord Wantage’s prize filly, 17
• Land suitable, 45
• Landlords and Shire breeding, 3, 15
• Leading, 28
• Lessons in showing, 50
• Letting out sires, 14
• Lincolnshire Lad 1196 … 59
• Linseed meal, 36
• Liverpool heavy horses 122
• Llangattock, Lord, 5, 77
• Local horse breeding societies, 15
• Lockinge Cup, 78
• Lockinge Forest King, 81
• Lockington Beauty, 83
• London Show, 61
• Longford Hall sale, 3
• Lorna Doone, 70, 104
• M
• McKenna, Mr. C. E., 118
• Mackereth, Mr. H., 119
• Management, 21, 23
• Manger feeding, 33
• Maple, Sir J. Blundell, 72
• Marden Park Stud, 105
• Mares, management of, 17
• ——, selection of, 8
• Markeaton Royal Harold, 17, 60, 65
• Marmion, 70
• Mating, 20, 22
• Members of Shire Horse Society, 63
• Menestrel, 111
• Michaelis, Mr. Max, 74
• Middleton, Lord, 84, 110
• Minnehaha, champion mare, 64
• Mollington Movement, 106
• Muntz, Mr. F. E., 113
• Muntz, Sir P. Albert, 5, 72, 80
• N
• Nellie Blacklegs, 84
• Nicholson, Sir Arthur, 74, 112
• Norbury Menestrel, 114
• Norbury Park Stud, 114
• Numbers exported, 96
• O
• Oats, 33
• Old English cart-horse, 2, 13, 51
• —— —— war horse, 1, 50, 57
• Origin and progress, 51
• Outlook for the breed, 120
• Over fattening, 26
• P
• Pailton Sorais, champion mare, 74, 112
• Pedigrees, 8
• Pendley Stud, 107
• Ploughing, 2, 22, 57
• Popular breed, a, 1
• Potter, Messrs. J. E. and H. W., 115
• Premier, 69, 84
• Preparing fillies for mating, 18
• Primley Stud, 106
• Prince Harold, 77
• Prince William, 69, 78
• Prizes at Shire shows, 63
• Prominent breeders, 103
• —— Studs, 102
• Prospects of the breed, 121
• R
• Rearing and feeding, 30
• Records, a few, 77
• Redlynch Forest King, 113
• Registered sires, 13
• Rent-paying horses, vi, 11, 124
• Repository sales, 5
• Rickford Coming King, 85
• Rock salt, 35
• Rogers, Mr. A. C., 67
• Rokeby Harold, champion in 1893 and 1895 … 60, 66, 68
• Roman invasion, 51
• Rothschild, Lord, 68, 102, 103
• Rowell, Mr. John, 69, 95
• Russia, 93
• S
• Sales noted, 4, 76
• Salomons, Mr. Leopold, 99
• Sandringham Stud, 3, 73, 86
• Scawby sale, 63
• Select shipment to U.S.A., 102
• Selecting the dams, 9
• Selection of mares, 8
• —— of sires, 12
• Separating colts and fillies, 39
• Sheds, 35
• Shire Horse Society, 2, 13, 91, 93
• Shire or war horse, 1, 51
• —— sales, 69, 76
• Shires for war, 6, 121
• —— as draught horses, 1
• ——, feeding, 30
• —— feet, care of, 42
• —— for farm work, 1, 22
• —— for guns, 6
• ——, formation of society, 13, 93
• ——, judges, 81
• Shires, London Show, 61
• ——, management, 12
• ——, origin and progress of, 51
• —— pedigrees kept, 8
• ——, prices, 69, 76
• ——, prominent studs, 103
• ——, sales of, 76
• ——, showing, 48
• ——, weight of, 6
• ——, working, 25
• Show condition, 26
• Show, London, 60
• Showing a Shire, 48
• Sires, selection of, 12
• Smith-Carington, Mr. H. H., 73
• Solace, champion mare, 3
• Soils suitable for horse breeding, 45
• Soundness, importance of, 9
• Spark, 69
• Stallions, 12
• Starlight, champion mare 1891 … 62, 78
• Stern, Sir E., 115
• Street, Mr. Frederick, 2
• Stroxton Tom, 116
• Stud Book, 2, 13, 91
• Stud, founding a, 8
• Studs, present day, 103
• —— sales, 4, 76
• Stuffing show animals, 26, 37
• Suitable foods and system of feeding, 30
• Sutton-Nelthorpe, Mr. R. N., 63, 83
• System of feeding, 30
• T
• Tatton Dray King, 71
• —— Herald, 71
• Team work, 23
• “The Great Horse,” Sir Walter Gilbey’s book, 14, 51, 54
• Training for show, 48
• —— for work, 27
• Treatment of foals, 32
• Tring Park Stud, 4, 103
• Two-year-old champion stallions, 67
• Two-year-old fillies, 17
• U
• United States, Shires in the, 3, 92
• Unsoundness, 10
• V
• Value of pedigrees, 8
• —— of soundness, 10
• Veterinary inspection, 62
• Vulcan, champion in 1891 … 70, 79
• W
• Wantage, Lord, 2, 78
• War demand, 121
• War horse, vi, 51, 91
• War and breeding, 18
• Warton Draughtsman, 118
• Wealthy stud-owners, 14
• Weaning time, 33
• Weight of Armoured Knight, 51
• Weight of Shires, 6
• Welshpool Shire Horse Society, 70
• Westminster, Duke of, 109
• What’s Wanted, 116
• Whinnerah, Messrs. E. and J., 118
• Whitley, Messrs. W. and H., 106
• Williams, Mr. J. G., 107
• Wintering, 40
• —— foals, 35
• Winterstoke, Lord, 86
• Work of Shire Horse Society, 13, 60
• Working stallions, 25
• World’s war, v, 120
• Worsley Stud, 7
• Y
• Yards, 35