CHAPTER XIV 



THE FRENCH DRAFT 



A brief consideration of the French Draft horse is essential, 

 although no recognized breed of this name exists. In America 

 it has been customary for many years to refer to draft horses 

 brought from France as French Draft horses. Not only this but 

 we now have in the United States an organization which registers 

 draft horses from France in a French Draft studbook. 



Distinct breeds of French Draft horses, however, are well 

 known and in France are clearly recognized. Years ago there 

 was some confusion among importers on this point, but at the 

 present time we have more definite knowledge on the subject. 

 All heavy horses in France are not of the same breed, even if 

 brought to America as French Draft. It is quite customary to 

 name certain European breeds after the localities in which they 

 received their chief development, and this applies to the horses 

 of France. It is extremely doubtful if any draft horses come to 

 this country from France that cannot be properly listed as belong- 

 ing to one of the following breeds, which essentially represent the 

 characteristic draft breeds of that country. 



1. Percheron. This is the best-known and most highly devel- 

 oped of the French Draft breeds. For an extended consideration 

 of the breed see Chapter XIII. 



2. Boidon?iais. This breed is largely found in the district of 

 Boulogne in northern France and in adjoining Belgium, deriving 

 its name from the former. The breed is somewhat larger and 

 coarser than the Percheron, is coarser of neck, steeper and squarer 

 of croup, and while not deficient in action shows less than the 

 Percheron. The color is variable, though frequently gray or white. 

 It is claimed by the French that there is no interchange between 

 the horses of Boulogne and the Perche, and that the Boulonnais 

 has mainly been improved by selection and care, though it is sug- 

 gested that some improvement may have come from Percheron 



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