THE PERCHERON 



105 



size and shapely, and the dark hoofs of excellent texture. Per- 

 cheron action at a walk is reasonably true and snappy, while the 

 trot with good representatives of the breed is free and easy. In 

 its strong, free action this may be regarded as one of the best 

 breeds, although not the equal of the Clydesdale in that respect. 

 The fact that in France, even to-day, races are held between the 



FIG. 37. Libretto 121447 (9797)> aged Percheron stallion owned by the Ohio 



State University, Columbus. Second-prize winner at the 1919 Ohio State Fair 



and an excellent sire. From photograph by E. K. Emslie 



lighter type of Percherons is an evidence of their natural activity 

 of foot. The things which especially distinguish the Percheron 

 breed are the head and neck, suggesting the Arabian, the blocky 

 body and steep tendency of croup, the short, smooth legs, the 

 characteristic color, and superior action. As a draft beast the 

 pure-bred or high-grade Percheron ranks in France and America 

 in the very first class, as is evident from his preponderance in 

 numbers over all other breeds. 



