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Ranking second in popularity in
the United States is the Percheron. The cradle of the breed is
one of the smallest provences of old France, the district known a Le
Perche, located some 70 miles southwest of Paris. It is a region
of green hills and verdant valleys, well suited to the production of
horses, producing a high percentage of the best horses of France, both
and light horse types. The Percheron alone of all heavy draft breeds is believed to have an infusion of Arab blood left behind by the defeat of the Moors by the French at Tours, just south of Le Perche in 735 AD. This perhaps, explains the combined style and substance of the gray and white chargers so numerous in the middle ages. |
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The American stud book for the Percheron was formed in 1878. In 1884, more than 2000 Percherons were brought to our shores from France. With their big start and very effective promotion, the Percheron quickly moved into a position of dominance until the mid 30's. |
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Basic colors are black and gray
with a fairly even division in this
country. In general conformation, the Percheron is not unlike the
Belgian, in fact, except for color, it would be difficult to
distinquish between some animals of both breeds, as they are
well-muscled, short-backed, drafty animals setting on good feet and
legs. Both are pretty much free of the feather that characterizes the Clydesdale and Shire. |