THE FRENCH DRAFT HORSE 187 



are recorded by the National French Draft Horse Asso- 

 ciation in the National French Draft Horse Stud Book. 

 This association was formed in 1876* as the National 

 Norman Horse Association, but the name was changed 

 in 1885, as there was no such breed of horses in France 

 as Normans, notwithstanding the current use of the term 

 in America. This association has published nine volumes 

 of the stud book. 



Criticisms of the French draft horse. — Because of the 

 several types involved this breed is exceedingly variable in 

 conformation, weight and height. The Boulonnais horse 

 resembles the Percheron, while the Ardennais horse is 

 more like the Belgian. The former is often criticized for 

 its light bone and weak joints, particularly the hocks, 

 while the latter also lacks quality in the lower legs and 

 feet, which is often aggravated by straight pasterns and 

 low flat heels, which frequently predispose the parts to 

 disease. The tendons are not well detached and the bones 

 of the legs appear round. Further, the hocks do not show 

 as great depth and strength as desirable. 



