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  The Suffolk Punch

Height
Around 16.1hh to 16.2hh for mares, 17hh to 17.1hh for stallions.

Colour
Chestnut, with seven shades recognised, those being; bright, red, golden, yellow, light, dark and dull dark.

Markings
Some white hair in the coat along with a star, stripe or blaze is permitted.

Build
Body is deep with well sprung ribs, chest and quarters wide. Shoulder should be long and muscular, the neck deep and arched. Legs are short in comparison to the body, free from any feather or coarse hair.

Movement
Well balanced, and straight.

History
The Suffolk Punch is one of the oldest breeds of heavy horse in Great Britain, being established as far back as the 16th century. Bred to be 'low and stout', their main duty would have been farm work; mostly ploughing and general transportation.

The foundation stallion, 'Crisp's Horse', foaled in 1768. This first entry into the stud book means all Suffolk Punch pedigrees can be traced back to this horse. The British Suffolk Horse Society was formed in 1877.

The breed has remained fairly isolated to its local surroundings; it was not until the 1930s that the breed began to spread out of East Anglia, with some studs starting up in other areas.
This increase of popularity was to be shortlived, with the onset of mechanisation, numbers of Suffolk Punches were in serious decline, many going for slaughter. In 1966, just nine foals were born.
Were it not for the tireless efforts of a handful of breeders, the Suffolk Punch would have surely become extinct.

Breed Society
http://www.suffolkhorsesociety.fsnet.co.uk/

Did you know?
Early local records suggest Suffolk Punches were a feature at local events, being entered in log pulling contests.

The Suffolk Punch is always referred to as chesnut in colour, the traditional spelling with no t after the s.

The RBST currently has the Suffolk Punch listed as 'Critical' status.

Time line
1877 - Suffolk Stud Book Society Founded.

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