88 TYPES AND BREEDS 



viouslj been produced in LaPerche ; the loads to be moved would 

 be greater, the distance less, and time allowance more liberal. 

 The true draft horse was to supersede the old ^' diligence " type, 

 but even in their effoits to meet the demand for a horse of greater 

 weight and j^ower, the LaPerche breeders did not lose sight of 

 the desirable characteristics of hot blood derivation, and so far 

 as they were correlated with the increase in size and draftiness, 

 attributes of the cold parent stock, they were retaine<l. To this 



Fig. 6S. — An old-fashioned Percheron. a rapid draft horse of a 

 type evolved in the diligence service. 



may be attributed the most distinctive features of the present 

 Percheron. 



Distinctive Features. — He may attain ton weight and yet 

 possess a refinement of head and neck, a general suppleness of 

 form, a texture of bone and hoof, a degree of quality and finish 

 throughout, together with an energetic, yet perfectly tractable, 

 temperament and disposition, not equalled in any of the other 

 draft breeds. Furthermore, the typical Percheron bears his 

 great weight with an airiness and boldness that is unusual. 



