THE DRAFT BREEDS OF HORSES 21 
tion has been formed in France for the keeping of records 
in the form of a stud-book. It is thought by Americans 
who have investigated the matter that the transformation 
in color and size in the Percheron horses in the past ten 
or fifteen years has been brought about, to some extent 
at least, by the use of the best types of Nivernais stallions 
from this district, crossed on the mares of the La Perche 
district. 
Individuals of this breed have been imported to America 
in increasing numbers in recent years; it is classed as one 
of the French draft breeds. Individuals of this breed may 
be recorded in the stud-book of the National French Draft 
Horse Association of America on the same basis as are 
the horses of the Boulonnais breed. 
Bextaian Horse. Plate I. Fig. 3. 
By W. L. Carlyle 
13. The Belgian horse is fast becoming one of the 
most popular of the draft breeds. 
14. History in Belgium. — In the early history of the 
Belgian breed of draft horses, no particular animals appear 
to have been prominent nor has any breeder of outstand- 
ing merit appeared. This breed, unlike most other 
draft breeds that have been developed, has been almost 
entirely the product of its environment. The small 
country of Belgium has a reputation as the home of draft 
horses extending back through several centuries. Many, 
if not all, of the draft breeds of Great Britain and France 
were greatly improved during their formative period by 
the use of the heavy Flemish horses, the early progenitors 
of the Belgians. Modern horse-breeding in Belgium, how- 
