72 A HISTORY OF THE PERCHEEON HORSE 



cross with the demi-sang, believing it to be harmful; 

 it has also, despite the assertions of Charles Du 

 Hays, equally rejected the Brittany draft, Picardy, 

 Cauchois and Boulonnais horses which have too often 

 and fraudulently been introduced into The Perche, 

 but which have never been invited to enter. ' ' 



M. Fardouet Was Right. — The reference to the at- 

 titude of the government in connection with the 

 conduct of the Haras du Pin is easily interpreted. 

 That establishment was being maintained mainly 

 with a view towards encouraging the production of 

 horses suited to the requirements of the military 

 service. The stud is situated near the boundary line 

 between the old provinces of Normandy and The 

 Perche. As will be shown further on, the stallions 

 first bought by the government for this purpose were 

 mainly of various demi-sang (half-blood) English 

 types usually carrying infusions of the Thorough- 

 bred blood, and classified as saddle or coach stal- 

 lions. These were liberally patronized by the Nor- 

 mandy farmers and by some of the mare owners of 

 The Perche, with the effect stated by M. Fardouet. 



Later on, as we shall show, the government, 

 apparently yielding to pressure from The Perche for 

 weightier horses for agricultural purposes, added a 

 few draft stallions; but had the farmers of that dis- 

 trict been dependent entirely upon the Haras du Pin 

 for sires of horses big enough to meet their needs, 

 this story probably would never have been written. 

 However, while this statement holds good as to the 

 types of stallions bought and kept in service by the 



