THE PERCHERON 



97 



has said that the Percheron was of English origin. Others say that the 

 Percheron is descended from the Arab. For me, if I may give my opinion, 

 I believe that the Percheron is a primitive breed, singularly altered, improved 

 by crossings at different periods with Arabian and English horses. 



In early times the native stock of the Perche was without doubt 

 typical of the draft horse generally existing in northern Europe, 

 and it is assumed that here existed the foundation stock from 

 which the modern Percheron is developed. 



The improvement of the early Percheron, as already indicated, 

 is generally credited by French and other writers to the use of 



Fig. 32. The residence and stable yard of the home of the late M. Charles Aveline, 

 La Touche, Nogent-le-Rotrou, France. From photograph by the author 



oriental horses. This is accounted for by the existence of large 

 numbers of Arab and Barb horses brought to France by the 

 Saracens, especially in the early part of the eighth century. It 

 must be understood, however, that the above opinion does not 

 rest on facts. It is reasonable to assume that oriental horses may 

 have been used to improve the horse stock of the Perche, but to 

 what degree we do not know. Horses were used for pack purposes 

 and as cavalry only until the improved agriculture and commerce 

 of less than two centuries ago demanded a draft horse. There is 

 more or less specific information regarding horse breeding in 

 France dating back early in the eighteenth century. Two govern- 

 ment studs were established at this time — one at Le Pin on the 

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