23 



^ THE PAST AND PRESENT SYSTEM 



OF 



BREEDING IN THE PERUHE 



The following- extract, quoted from the writings of 

 M. Fordouet, one of the oldest and most prominent 

 breeders of the Perche, and which is fully corroborated 

 by a careful perusal of history, contines its modification 

 to meet the present developments of the changed 

 condition of the country to three periods of existence. 

 First. To horses suitable for the saddle and 

 for war. 



Second. For agriculture an'd commercial interests 

 Third. The period when the heavy draft horse 

 with the activity of the lighter types, came into active 

 demand, which began about fifty years ago. He says : 

 " The matchless breed, whose antiquity of origin 

 stands first among the equine races of civilized nations 

 has been moulded to meet the necessities of the 

 different periods of its existence, for hundreds of years, 

 under the vivifying influences and climatic effects of 

 the Perche, as well as by the inimitable processes of 

 educating both males and females from the earliest 

 age. and with the most judicious care possible, by the 

 actual performance of the work they will be called 

 upon to do during their lives, thus slowly and surely 

 developing their physical capabilities and instinctive 

 aptitudes into hereditary and transmissable forces, 



