82 BREEDS OF HORSES 



common and the use of street cars and motor buses sup- 

 planted the horse-drawn vehicles there arose a new de- 

 mand for heavy draft horses. The American trade which 

 called for strong, heavy animals has had much to do with 

 developing the Percheron draft horse. 



The country in which these horses originated is fertile, 

 the climate is mild and furnishes ideal conditions for the 

 rearing of good horses. The French government has also 

 helped to improve the horses of the nation by inspecting 

 them, keeping the good animals in the country and subsi- 

 dizing the best ones for breeding purposes. 



The first importation of Percherons to this country was 

 made in 1839 into the state of New Jersey. In 1851, the 

 horse " Louis Napoleon " was imported and found his 

 way to Illinois, where it is said he became the sire of over 

 400 colts whose good qualities helped to advertise these 

 horses and make them popular with farmers. 



Characteristics. — The prevailing colors of the Per- 

 cheron are gray and black. Some bays and browns occur, 

 but they are less popular and common than the two above 

 named. Formerly the imported horses were not so heavy 

 as the type now popular, and more grays than blacks were 

 brought into the country. The Percheron type is that of 

 a strong, well-muscled, thick-bodied, clean-boned, low- 

 set draft horse. The good Percheron is noted for the size 

 and quality of its feet ; well-muscled arms, forearms, gas- 

 kins and thighs ; clean, hard, flinty cannon bones, free from 

 superfluous hair ; strong, deep, and wide chest ; short, wide 

 back ; strong, well-breasted neck ; and a good head carrying 

 neat ears and bold, clear eyes. The action is free, bold, and 

 straightforward, showing vitality and vigor in the horse. 

 Some of the too common weaknesses are tendencies to 



