THE PERCHERON HOUSE. 83 



telligent and loves in a rational way, he only requires of 

 them work in proportion to their strength, and gives them 

 good nourishment. This management, uniting work 

 and good food, is an admirable means of giving strength, 

 health, and a good constitution. Finally, the Percheron 

 inhabits a broken country, where he must constantly 

 ascend and descend. This circumstance is most favorable 

 in giving strength and suppleness to his shoulders, 

 haunches, and hoofs, which, by turns, work and rest in this 

 unparalleled district. 



This portrait is not only applicable to the large proprie- 

 tors and to the farmers, but to all the Percheron popu- 

 lation. There is not a man in this district who has not 

 been a working man, who has not raised, trained, and 

 driven colts, and who, even in his tenderest age, when he 

 could walk and hold a little whip, has not lived among 

 the horses and played between their legs. It requires no 

 searching here to find a man acquainted with the horse, a 

 good farm hand ; the first face you meet with is that of 

 an intelligent agent, and a trustworthy one in the difficult 

 art of training colts. 



If you have such men at your disposal, undertake boldly 

 your task ; but if the proper men are wanting, forbear, 

 for you will arrive at nothing satisfactory. 



CHAPTER I. 



FOOD AND BREEDING. 



The stallion, in the districts inhabited by mares, is, with 

 some rare exceptions, a " rover," that is to say, he visits 

 the farms at stated periods. His standing season lasts six 

 months, from January to July, and he generally returns 



