THE DRAFT BREEDS OF HORSES 17 



distinctive types or breeds ranging in characteristics from 

 coach horses to the heaviest type of drafters. 



These have been introduced into America simply as 

 French draft horses. This has led to some confusion in the 

 names, as there is no single French draft breed, but rather 

 several distinct breeds or types of French draft horses. 

 The French draft horse best known in America is the Per- 

 cheron (see pages 716). Others less well known are 

 the Boulonnais, Ardennais, Breton and Nivernais, which 

 are here given brief treatment. The Picardy draft horse 

 has been said to be a variety or type of the Boulonnais. 

 By some writers it is held to be a Belgian breed. 



9. Boulonnais (Fig. 1). The Boulonnais breed origi- 

 nated in the Boulogne district in northeastern France ad- 

 joining Belgium. In 

 common with the 

 other draft breeds of 

 France, the Boulon- 

 nais horses without 

 doubt had their origin 

 in the heavy Flemish 

 horses. In their gen- 

 eral characteristics 

 they very much re- 

 semble the Percheron, 

 so much so that it is 



.... . FIG. 1. Boulonnais stallion. 



impossible in the best 



specimens to distinguish one from the other. In recent 

 years more animals of gray color are to be found among 

 the Boulonnais than among the Percherons, and there 

 has probably been less change and improvement in type 

 in the Boulonnais breed than in the Percherons. They 

 are not so large as the Percherons, and somewhat less 

 c 



