THE FRENCH COACH 



79 



The preceding- records speak well for the speed capacity of 

 the French Coach horse. 



Distribution and adaptation. This breed has been rather 

 extensively distributed over Europe and the United States, 

 although it is not generally bred outside of Normandy in 

 France. In the United States it is fairly well known east of the 

 Mississippi and north of the Ohio. The best-known breeding 

 and importing studs are in Ohio and Illinois. The late Mark W. 

 Dunham of Wayne, Illinois, and Powell Bros, of Springboro, 

 Pennsylvania, were the most important breeders and importers in 



Fig. 31. A French Coach stallion 18 years of age. A fine example of vigor 

 and breed character. Photograph taken in France by the author 



this country for years. More coach horses of this breed are being 

 brought to the United States than of any other kind, unless the 

 Hackney be excepted. 



French Coach horses seem to thrive very well in the Atlantic 

 seaboard states and in the upper Mississippi Valley. There are 

 but very few breeding studs. In the main stallions are imported 

 and are then used for breeding on the larger type of light driving 

 mares of common stock, to produce coachers for the city market. 

 When there is a harmonious mating with American trotting- 

 bred stock, a superior class of carriage horse is developed. 



