Suffolk Punch
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Names: Suffolk, Suffolk Punch. Suffolk after the county in England where it originated; Punch because it was fat and "punched up"! I may simply call it Suffolk most of the time.
Origin: England: Suffolk, Sandlings district. Breeding wholly in private hands.
Breeding: The
history of this draft breed is unique in that it apparently descends from one
prepotent stallion. This was the Crisp horse of Ufford, foaled in 1768.
There was little demand for Suffolks in the United
States,
where horses of similar size could be had from native stock. Many were
exported to Canada, but a total of only about 3,000 have been registered in the
U.S.
Mentioned in Camden's Britannia in 1586, the Suffolk
Punch is a native of East Anglia, descended from local mares and certain
stallions of definite dominant characteristics known as the Old Breed. Barber's
Proctor, a trotting horse (grandson of Eclipse and several other
Trotters), played a part in producing this stocky, very serviceable draught
horse. Since 1877, breeding organized by the Suffolk Horse Society.
Description: Its
physical characteristics are highly distinct. It is quite rotund and
drafty looking.
In 1506 they were "very plain made horses," even
"half horse,
half hog." But if Punches are "short fat fellows, short legged and barrel
bodied," the modern Suffolk Punch is handsome, too.
Action: Very correct, energetic action in walk and trot, capable of drawing considerable loads.
Body: Compact, short, and stocky. Short, broad, thick neck. Wide chest. Long, often steep shoulders. Considerable depth in the girth. Short, strong back with powerful loins. Beautifully shaped, broad, long quarters.
Color: Always chestnut (spelled 'chesnut' in the studbook), with little if any white. Almost exclusively golden chestnut.
Head: Rather fine.
Legs: Clean legged, with no feather. Well-muscled, short, strong, hard limbs. Short, strong pasterns.
Size: Smallest of the heavy horses at between 15.2 and 16.2 hands, usually about 16 hands. 15.2 to 16.2 hands.
Temperament: Very good natured. Good character and docile temperament.
Features: Does well on little or poor food. Strong and versatile. Can go long hours without feeding. Industrious heavy horse with lots of stamina. Great tractive power. Exceptionally long-living.
Uses: They trot well, and there is a half-bred Suffolk Punch among the Queen's carriage horses. While many of the draft breeds have cut a figure in city settings--before heavy carriages or merchants' wagons--the Suffolk has always been a farm type valued for its willingness and ease of handling. Has been crossed with Thoroughbred, for the production of serviceable hunters.
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