I/O MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Normandy. Other large infusions of Eastern blood took 

 place upon the return of the Crusaders, who brought with 

 them many of the finest Arabian stallions. These horses, 

 crossed upon the large, strong, native mares, imparted a 

 degree of refinement and finish that has ever since char- 

 acterized the horses of northern France. 



There were other countries besides Arabia, however, 

 that contributed horses to La Perche, to aid in the de- 

 velopment of the draft horse of France. Madame du 

 Barry of Paris received a gift of a pair of Danish horses 

 about 1/75, which became so popular that they were fol- 

 lowed by others of the same kind, with the result that 

 Danish horses were used extensively in Normandy. 

 English stock was also introduced, as were horses from 

 Belgium and adjoining districts, particularly Flanders. 

 In addition, reference is made to horses being introduced 

 from Andalusia, Spain. 



Early development of the Percheron draft horse. — In 

 1820, two famous Arabian stallions, Godolphin and Galli- 

 poli, were imported and extensively used under the direc- 

 tion of the government at the stud of Pin. These horses 

 were graj'' and no doubt had much influence in develop- 

 ing the gray color -of the draft horses of France. Fur- 

 ther, these two sires are given credit for much of the 

 quality, style and finish possessed by the Percheron. Galli- 

 poli, in particular, had a very beneficial influence, es- 

 pecially through his grandson, Jean Le Blanc, born in 

 1823, and regarded as the greatest sire of his day. 



The type of horse resulting from the use of eastern 

 stallions upon the mares of La Perche was a smaller and 

 more active animal than the Percheron of the present time, 

 and was more suited to general purposes. This early type 

 is described as showing much less scale and ranging from 

 15 to 16 hands high with a draft conformation; the head 

 of medium size and clean cut, frequently as fine as an 

 Arab's; the neck rather short; the shoulders long and 

 sloping with chest deep and broad ; the body well ribbed 



