HBase: The Definitive Guide

Colophon

The animal on the cover of HBase: The Definitive Guide is a Clydesdale horse. Named for the district in Scotland where it originates, the breed dates back to the early nineteenth century, when local mares were crossed with imported Flemish stallions. The horse was bred to fulfill the needs of farmers within the district, as well as to carry coal and other heavy haulage throughout the country. Due to its reliability as a heavy draft horse, by the early twentieth century, the Clydesdale was exported to many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. The mechanical age brought a decline in the breed, and although the late twentieth century saw a slight rise in popularity and numbers, the horse is still considered vulnerable to extinction.

The modern Clydesdale is slightly larger than the original Scottish horse, with breed standards dictating that the height should range between 16 and 18 hands (about 64 to 72 inches) and the weight between 1,600 and 2,200 pounds. However, the appearance of the horse has mostly remained the same throughout its history. Especially compared to other draft breeds, the Clydesdale has very distinctive characteristics, marked particularly by its feathered legs and high-stepping gait. It is usually bay, brown, or black in color, and often roan, or white hair scattered throughout the coat, is also seen. Its darkly colored body stands in contrast to its bright white face and legs, though it is not uncommon for the legs ...