SIXTH ANN UAL YEAR BOOK — PART YIl. 497 



incline to coarseness and. as a breed, most of its representatives lack 

 prepotency to produce quality, so that they have not become widely 

 popular among our breeders. 



Utility. — The Cleveland Bny stallion of the best type and breeding 

 stamps his color, markings and good disposition upon his progeny and, 

 vrhen crossed with common mares, begets a fair proportion of light, 

 active horses for general purpose work. 



THE PERCHEROX. 



This breed takes its name from the district of La Perche in France, 

 which is now the chief draft horse-breeding and handling center in 

 that country. The breed originally derived its size and weight from 

 the ancient Black horse breed of Flanders and its style and quality 

 from sires of the Oriental breeds, notably from the grey Arab stallions, 

 Godolphin and Gallipoli. In the early days the breed was used for 

 coach and bus work, and was of suitable type and conformation for that 

 purpose. More recenty weight and larger bone have been developed 

 by use of heavy draft stallions of one or other of several breeds of the 

 sort to be found in France. Grey was the original color of the breed, 

 but, recently, blacR has become as common, although it is not so surely 

 transmitted as the characteristic grey of the purer bred Percherons. 

 Until 1883 draft horses from France went by various names, such as 

 French draft. Norman, Norman-Percheron, Percheron-Norman, and Per- 

 cheron, but in the year mentioned the Percheron Horse Society of France 

 was organized and the name Percheron adopted for the breed. The 

 first volume of the Percheron-Norman Stud Book of America was pub- 

 lished 187G, but the name Percheron was finally adopted as a result of 

 similar action in France. French Draft horses, also from France, and 

 practically of the same breeding as the Percheron, have a separate 

 stud book, entry to which is based upon rules less stringent than those 

 adopted by the Percheron Association. After prolonged dispute, mat- 

 ters pertaining to the registry of Percheron horses in America, have at 

 last been satisfactorily adjusted, a stud book will appear in the near 

 future and proper supervision of pedigree confidently is to be expected, 

 under the new management. 



Characteristics. — The modern Percheron stands 16 hands high and 

 over, weighs from 1700 to 2200 pounds, and is white, grej' or black in 

 color. He has an intelligent head, of a type peculiar to the breed; 

 rather small ears and eyes; short, strongly muscled neck; strong, well- 

 laid shoulders and chest; a plump, rotund body; strong back, heavy 

 quarters, and somewhat drooping croup. He usually is low down and 

 blocky, on short, clean legs, devoid of feather, and has well shaped, sound 

 hoofs. The pasterns in some individuals of the breed incline to upright- 

 ness and size of bone and development of tendon are somewhat deficient. 

 The action of the Percheron is usually fast at a trot, and fairly straight 

 and sprightly at the walk. The best individuals have superior all- 

 round action. The objectionable specimens roll in action of forelegs, go 

 wide behind or slouch at the walldng gait. Stallions having oblique 

 pasterns and action free from the faults noted should be selected by 

 breeders. 



