THE PERCHERON. 163 



ters in the American horse business. At that 

 sufficient time has elapsed since the importing 

 business began for the breed to find its proper 

 level. That it enjoys its present popularity 

 must be attributed solely to its suitability to the 

 needs and desires of the American people. 



Typically the Percheron is a horse of some 

 range, not squatty or chunky. He has a top line 

 which differs from that of most other breeds in 

 that correctly it is somewhat higher just back of 

 the coupling and between the points of the hip- 

 bones. This, of course, accentuates any low- 

 ness of the back or droop of the quarters that 

 may be present. He has good width, his ribs 

 well sprung out from the back bone and rounded 

 like a barrel, but his quarters should not be 

 bagged out like the hams of a Poland^C'hina 

 hog. Instead they should have a flowing round- 

 ed contour indicative of promptitude of move- 

 ment as well as strength. The neck should be 

 well arched, not coarse, and well set up, topped 

 off with a head that appears rather small for the 

 size of the horse. Short stubby necks and heavy 

 sour heads are not typical of the breed. The 

 bone often appears light, judged by the stand- 

 ard of some other breeds, but it is of the stuff 

 that wears, as has been proved on the streets. 

 The pasterns are not long. Coupled with this 

 sort of conformation there is in the typical 

 Percheron a breezy gaity of motion and an air 

 of elegance characteristic of no other breed. 



