i86 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



years has been brought about, to some extent at least, 

 by the use of the best types of Nivernais draft stallions 

 crossed on the mares of La Perche. 



The Nivernais draft horse compares favorably with the 

 Percheron in size, possessing more bone, and perhaps a 

 little more rangy in general conformation. The head is 

 large and full; the neck of good length and heavy; the 

 shoulders massive; the body of good length and well 



coupled; the hind- 

 quarters powerfully 

 muscled; and the 

 bone strong, giving 

 the legs a rather 

 round appearance. 

 The pasterns are 

 fairly straight and 

 the feet large. The 

 color is almost uni- 

 formly black, and it 

 is very seldom that a 

 gray, brown or 

 chestnut is found. 



P i c a r d y draft 

 horse. — This breed 

 is a native of northern France and Belgium. It is bred in 

 both countries, and is variously classified. Some persons 

 claim it to be Flemish, and hence a Belgian breed, while 

 M. La Motte Rouge of the government studs of France, 

 claims it to be a variety of Boulonnais draft horse. The 

 Picardy draft horse compares favorably with the Belgian 

 draft horse in size and general conformation, being blocky 

 and compact. The color is usually bay, although others 

 are often found. 



Organizations and records. — In France each of the 

 types and breeds mentioned above, with the possible ex- 

 ception of Picardy, has its own society, which publishes 

 a stud book. In America, however, all French draft horses 



Fig. 101. — French Draft Stallion 



