THE HORSE 253 



Percheron. — This breed originated in France, particularly in 

 the region of LaPerche, hence the name Percheron. The natural 

 conditions in France were such as to favor the develoiDment of 

 ponderous drafters — an agreeable climate, fertile soil with 

 abundant forage. The native horse, though ponderous, lacked 

 in quality and action, both essential to efficient draft horses. 

 The Oriental horse played an important part in improving such 

 deficiencies. Large numbers of eastern horses found their way 

 into France and Germany as early as the eighth century and 

 there was direct introduction of Oriental blood as late as 1820, 

 when Godolphin and Gallipoli were purchased for the horse- 

 breeding farm at LePin. These horses were gray and no doubt 

 had much to do in developing the gray color of the Percheron. 

 The general effect of this Oriental blood has been to improve the 

 quality, action and style. 



For more than two centuries the French government has given 

 material aid to horse-breeding. At present there are three 

 classes of breeding horses in France. First, government owned ; 

 second, government subsidized, the owners of such receiving an 

 annual bonus from the Minister of Agriculture ; and third, gov- 

 ernment approved. This close supervision on the part of the 

 government has done much to improve the Percheron horse. 



In conformation the Percheron is massive. The head, though 

 large, is cleancut, the neck well crested, shoulders sloping, chest 

 broad and deep, loins broad and well-muscled with the quarters 

 l)road and powerful. The pasterns are sloping, feet good size, 

 while the action is true and perhaps second to none among draft 

 horses. The weight varies from one thousand eight hundred 

 pounds to two thousand two hundred pounds, the height sixteen 

 hands to seventeen hands. The more common colors' are black 

 and gray. Because of the general excellency of the Percheron, 

 it is the most important breed of draft horse in America. 



French draft. — As the name would indicate, this breed is of 

 French origin. The history and description is practically the 

 same as that of the Percheron. This similarity often results in 

 confusion and it is important to remember that French Draft 

 horses cannot be registered in the Percheron Stud Book of 

 America. 



Belgian. — This breed of draft horses originated in Belgium, 

 a country fully as noted as France for the size and quality of its 

 horses. The methods employed by the two countries are much 

 the same. Possibly there has not been as much oriental blood 

 introduced to Belgium, though the Belgian horses are as refined 



