|
The Suffolk Punch originated in East Anglia, where it
remained largely pure and true ot its original form. Today, the Suffolk is bred
in other parts of England, as well as abroad, most notably in America. The breed
can be traced back to 1506, when writers referred to them as the Old Breed. All
Suffolk Punches today can be traced back down the male line to one stallion
called Crisp's Horse of Ufford, who foaled in 1760. The Suffolk Punch is one of
the three heavy horses of England - the other two being the Shire and the
Clydesdale. However, the Suffolk differs significantly from these two, being
both shorter and more massively built, and also have only minimal feathering of
the legs.
Traditionally the Suffolk was used for agricultural purposes,
being immensely powerful and very wiling. They were developed for the East
Anglian terrain, which was mainly heavy clay soil, and there fore the lack of
feathering was a distinct advantage. One gentleman credited with establishing
the breed was Herman Biddell. He was the first secretary of the Suffolk Horse
Society and published an extensive history of the breed as well as the first
studbook in 1880.
The Suffolk has tremendous stamina and can work for long
hours on minimal fodder rations. Traditionally they were entered in strength
contests, where they would be required to pull hugs logs. They were judged by
the amount of effort they put in, and it would not be uncommon to see a Suffolk
get down on its knees in an attempt to move the log. They are unique in
appearance, with very short legs in comparison to the massive build of their
body.
They generally have a large, honest head with a wide forehead
and kind eyes, a thick, powerful neck, low., sloping muscular shoulders with a
deep and broad chest, and wide, powerful hindquarters. They are short in the
legs, which are, nonetheless, very strong, and have good joints and short cannon
bones. Typically the Suffolk matures young and is long-lived as well as being an
economical feeder. They are always chestnut in color - the breed society
recognizes seven different shades of chestnut - and white markings are
recognized.
Return to
Horse Breeds page
|
