The State of the Horse-Dealing Trade.
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By John H. Dyer.
The horse-dealing trade is in itself a great industry and a source of profit first of all to the farmer who breeds, then to the grazier of the two and three-year old, and lastly to the dealer who breaks and conditions the animals ready for the user who purchases from him. It is unnecessary for the purposes of this article to enter into the question of the profit which is secured to the user by his purchase. For some few years past, the possible effect of the motor vehicle industry upon the horse-breeding industry has without doubt caused a considerable measure of uneasiness to all those associated with horse breeding or trading. The most disconcerting feature has been the element of uncertainty as to the extent to which the demand would be affected by the much lauded comfort and general utility, not to mention the economy arid range of action, attributed to the automobile. Various prognostications that have appeared from time to time in the Press during the past eight years have caused men associated with the horse-dealing industry (who are as a rule but little acquainted with engineering and are, consequently, probably more ready to accept statements without being able to appreciate the degree of exaggeration which attaches to them) to be distinctly unsettled in their minds regarding the actual state of affairs that might be upon them at no distant date. This period of uncertainty was probably most acute about three years ago, when evidences were not wanting that the pleasure and touring motorcar was securing a real hold upon various classes of horse users, and when large premiums were in many cases being paid to secure delivery of motorcars from manufacturers and agents. It may seem a remarkable statement to make, but there is no question that the position is now more clearly understood; and although the motorcar has grown from what may be termed its period of babyhood either to childhood or virile youth, horse interests which considered themselves threatened at the period named are now able to regard the outlook with some confidence by reason of the fact that conditions have had time to settle themselves.
As regards the class of horse that will be least affected by the change that is taking place over the introduction of mechanical road vehicles, the blood horse and hunting trade can certainly be left out of the question, since the motorcar does not, and never will, interfere with them. People cannot substitute the motorcar in these directions in any event. The effect upon the private carriage horse trade has to be examined in view of the fact that the motorcar will take away from it any demand which exists in respect of the use of this type of horse for comparatively long journeys. It is admitted that the introduction of railways caused this business to fall off very considerably some tio or 70 years ago, prior to which date the only mode of getting about the country was by stage coach or private carriage, but it must also be allowed that the proportion of users who have been employing their horses for this purpose steadily diminished, inversely with the introduction and extension of the railway system throughout the country, until it reached a fixed level some thirty years ago. There has remained, pone the less, an appreciable field for the use of carriage horses by owners who adhered to this method of travel for the purpose of paying calls upon relatives and friends, or for the transaction of business at a distance, and there are at the present time numerous country houses which lie at such distances from the main line stations as to put a very severe tax upon horse flesh for its regular use in station work. Here the motor will unquestionably ease the horse, because such long journeys are better suited to mechanical power, but the Englishman's love of horses will result in their remaining masters of the situation for town shopping, local visiting, and park driving. This alight change of application will probably cause the purchaser to pay more attention to the stepping and elegant appearance of the horse than to his strength and staying powers. The last-named considerations have weighed more with the buyers than they need do, possibly, in the future where the owner also has at his disposal one or more motor carriages to undertake the more severe trips. Hence it appears likely that the introduction of motorcars will improve the breed of horses.
The outstanding feature which is attracting much attention in the horse-dealing trade is the apparent success of motor omnibuses, which appear to have taken the public by storm and to be on the point of securing very wide adoption both in London and the provinces. An immediate. result of this movement has been that the " busser " is now becoming a bad market, but this does not affect the English farmer so much as may be thought owing to the fact that only a small percentage of these horses are bred in this country. The great majority of omnibus horses were imported from America, but this source of supply received its first rude shock at the end of last year, when the placing of orders for motor omnibuses necessitated the cutting down of orders for these horses—in some cases almost to vanishing point. The English farmer, who funnily enough jumped to the conclusion that he would be seriously affected and consequently did not breed so many horses four years ago as he is breeding at the present day, is not hard hit. As each motor omnibus purchased for London use means the reduction of the horse establishment by from 20 to 24 animals, it is evident that the leading omnibus companies will cease importing from abroad. and will limit their purchases to this country for the necessary renewals of their stud to work suburban routes and others where horses will continue to be employed. The reason for the preference being given to the English horse is that it excels the imported animal both in staying power and general wearing qualities, which compensates many times over for the small difference in price which amounts to only a pound or so. The English farmer may, therefore, look upon the matter with some nonchalance, if not with actual gratification, because the demand for such horses will remain steady. Further, they are most useful to him of all horses for general purposes on farm work before the time comes for them to leave the farm for delivery to the purchasers who intend to use them in omnibus service.
It is the heavy Shire horse, such as is used so largely by brewers and some railway companies, that the heavy motor lorry has affected most of all. This class of horse most certainly should be, and generally is, only used at a walking pace, because any greater speed shakes them to pieces and lessens their working life considerably. Most brewery firms wisely issue stringent instructions to their drivers to protect their valuable horses against such deterioration. It will thus be seen that the heavy motor wagon gains much of its economy as compared with the Shire horse in the saving of time, and by getting through its delivery work more quickly and over a much greater range than can he embraced by animal power in a day's work where a walking pace is imperative. Brewers in particular have appreciated this difference. and the immediate result has been a fall in price of some 15 per cent. in this particular breed of horse. It must be granted that this loss has fallen, and will fall almost entirely, upon the breeder or farmer. Unless the number of motor breakdowns on the road were to become sufficiently frequent to require the service of Shire horses often enough for the purpose of dragging them home, I do not see how this falling-off can be balanced But it is easily seen that such instances are growing less and less numerous.
There is no doubt that the riding horse and hack will be in greater demand than ever, because motoring, no matter how enjoyable, does not provide sufficient exercise for many people. The doctor, who has always been the riding horse's friend, will continue to advise his patients, or others who consult Wen for some imaginary ill, that they must divide their affection between petrol and pigskin, the latter to counteract any ill-effects of the former. In conclusion, it must be pointed out that demand has always been greater than supply in England for practically every type of home-bred horse, except the Shire horse. I believe the falling-off in the demand for these powerful horses will not be very marked, because the motor wagon does not pay in town delivery work, where delays are considerable and where the majority of Shire horses are employed. The carriage-horse trade is prosperous side by side with the motor industry, and is likely to continue in this state so long as the country is wealthy, and people are able to lavish money on luxuries.