List of points 1880

 The feet should be firm, deep, and wide at heel; the pasterns not too long and straight; flat bone; short between fetlock and knee. A stallion should not measure less than 11 inches below the knee, and girth from 7 ft.9ins.to 8 ft.3 ins; should not stand more than 17 hands; should have a wide chest; head big and masculine, without coarseness; eyes prominent and kindly; the head and eyes together should denote intelligence and good temper, shoulders well thrown back; full flowing mane, short back; well-arched ribs; deep middle; large muscular development of the loins; long quarters with tail well set on; the lower part of the rump wide and well let down; good big second thighs; large, flat, clean hocks; plenty of long, silky hair on legs; or, to sum up in a few words, a horse should in form be long, low and wide; and in constitution be thoroughly free from all hereditary disease. A main point is action. He should, above all, be a good mover in the cart-horse pace-walking: and, if required to trot, should have the action of a Norfolk cob or a Percheron.  

This was printed in “ the Cart Horse Society Stud Book  volym 1, 1880 ” .

Author Frederic Street

Gareth

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This Shire was owned by a distant relative on a farm in Pilling, Lancashire. It's my father in the photo and the year is 1945.        /Gareth

Grandfather Brandt driving Shires in Canada in the 30's.    /Gareth