12 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



attractive action. The modern Percheron approaches 

 more closely the essentials of a draft horse to meet modern 

 markets, but the old type had some qualities, such as 

 style, endurance and activity, which were difficult to 

 retain in a shorter and stouter built horse of more 

 weight. 



The present-day Percheron's excellencies are to be seen 

 in the active temperament, intelligent head, deep body, 

 wide muscular croup and clean-cut legs of the typical 

 representative. The joints are usually clean and hard, 

 and the legs invariably show an abundance of quality 

 that guarantees durability ; but frequently the set of the 

 legs and, particularly, the shape of the hind-quarters, 

 is at fault. A croup too sloping, with deficiency in muscle 

 below, cannot give the greatest pulling power, especially 

 when associated, as it often is, with legs that are improp- 

 erly set, being either too straight, sickle-hocked or other- 

 wise cramped in the hind-quarters. The Percheron is 

 rarely deficient in quality and activity, and when the 

 weight is sufficient to meet the demands of the modern 

 draft-horse market, a draft horse of unusual excellencies 

 is the result. The action of the Percheron is almost always 

 quick enough for a draft horse, and the feet are generally 

 picked up with snap at the walk; but these should not 

 be allowed to overshadow desirable mechanical action, 

 which is straight and distance-covering, although less 

 showy and attractive. 



In size, the Percheron ranges from fifteen and one- 

 fourth to sixteen and one-half hands, and from 1500 to 

 over 2000 pounds in weight. There are a number of 

 medium size, although the largest take rank with the 

 largest of any of the draft breeds. In France there is a 

 type smaller in size than the medium. These are popu- 



