CHAPTER XV 

 THE PERCHERON DRAFT HORSE 



Of the various breeds of pure-bred horses in America, 

 the Percheron draft horse is the most popular. This breed 

 secured a foothold in Ohio in the early fifties, from which 

 place it has spread in all directions with amazing rapidity. 



The native home of the Percheron draft horse. — This 

 breed was developed in northwestern France, especially 

 in that section of the country known as La Perche, a 

 district situated to the south and west of Paris, and em- 

 bracing a considerable portion of the territory that is 

 included in the modern departments or counties of Orne, 

 Eure et Loir, Loir et Cher and Sarthe. La Perche is 

 about 50 by 60 miles in area, with a rather broken surface, 

 having numerous valleys and small streams of water. 

 The soil is fertile, producing nutritious grasses, and the 

 climate favorable for the production of horses of the 

 highest excellence, while the inhabitants have long been 

 noted for their attachment to the horse. All of north- 

 western France, from Paris to the English channel, has 

 from time immemorial been famous as a horse-produc- 

 ing region. 



The origin of the Percheron draft horse. — The source 

 of this breed is to be found in the large infusion of eastern 

 blood upon the native stock of La Perche, a district 

 already distinguished for the size and strength of its 

 horses, as well as to the natural adaptation of the soil 

 and climate and the habits of the people. In f 732 France 

 was invaded by the Saracens, 300,000 strong, who were 

 defeated by Charles Martel on the plains of Vonille. 

 The Arab and Barb steeds upon which the infidels were 

 mounted fell into the hands of the victors, and were 

 assigned largely to the men of La Perche, Orleans and 



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