CHAPTER IV. 

 EVOLUTION FROM WITHIN. 



We have seen that about 1809 the government 

 began adding draft stallions to the coach and saddle 

 types maintained in the Haras du Pin, and that these 

 did considerable service as well as the heavy hauling 

 about the establishment. Work was apparently about 

 all that the army officers thought they were fit for, 

 and from their standpoint the inspectors were doubt- 

 less right enough. The farmers of The Perche, how- 

 ever, were not to be turned from their now clearly 

 apparent determination to produce a bigger horse. 

 Normandy might breed all the army remounts she 

 liked. The Perche had other plans, seeing which the 

 departmental and central government authorities set 

 forces in motion that soon brought important results. 

 This aid took the form of government inspection and 

 approval of certified stallions and a bonus to the 

 owner. We find the first reference to this epoch- 

 marking step in 1818. 



Prizes Stimulate Effort.— The "Annuaire Statis- 

 tique et Administratif du Dept. d 'Eure et Loir pour 

 1819," after reciting the fact that "formerly, from 

 the province of ancient Perche, horses suitable for 

 the dragoons and hussars were obtained, and also 

 excellent cobs for the stage-coach service," refers to 



