Percheron[1] originated in the Perche region in Normandy, France and is one of the most elegant of the heavy horses. Its principal bloodlines are dominated by Arabian blood, and it has a stylish, long, free-striding action. One 19th century expert, claimed that it was "an Arab influenced by climate and teh agricultural work for which it has been used for centuries."
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History
Percheron enthusiasts claim that the horse's forebears carried the Frankish knights of Charles Martel at the battle of Poitiers in 732 AD, when they defeated the invading Moors. As a result Moorish Barbs and Arabians, with their refining qualities, were more available to French breeders. The influence continued when Robert, Count of Rotrou, imported eastern horses after the first Crusade in 1096-99. By 1760, the royal stud at Le Pin was making Arabian sires available to Percheron breeders. Two notable Arabian crosses were Godophin and Gallipoly; Gallipoly sired the most famous Percheron stallion, Jean le Blanc, foaled in 1830 at Mauvres-sur-Huisne.
Versatility and Popularity
Over the years, the Percheron has serves as a warhorse, coach horse, gun horse and even riding horse. Throughout its history; Percheron breeders, always sensitive to commercial demand, have tailored their animals to meet market requirements. For example, by the end of the 19th century they had given up the Percheron coach horse, an animal of about 15.2hh, because it had been superseded by lighter and faster Cleveland Bay and Yorkshire Coach Horse crosses, and had begun to prefer a heavy draft horse. That these breeders could do so is a tribute to their skill and acumen, and the the presence of that Arabian blood that had aided the formation of diverse regional types. With judicious crossbreeding it was possible, because of the prepotent blood, to produce variations on a basic theme more surely and within relatively short periods of time.
The best years for breeders were between 1880 and 1920, when Percherons were being exported to North and South America, Australia, and South Africa. The United States became the principle market. It is estimated that in the 1880's, 5,000 stallions and about 2,500 mares were imported. By 1910 registrations had risen to a remarkable 31,900.
The Percheron, with its eastern background, has an advantage over many other heavy breeds in that it adapts to different climates more easily and is an excellent base stock for crossing. In the bleak Falkland Islands the are crossed with Criollo stock to produce tough "range" horses, while is Australia, with an opposite climate to the Falklands, they are crossed to produce stock and competition horses.
Conformation
Percherons are noted for heavy muscling and for an aspect of ruggedness and power. Also characteristic of the Percheron is clean action and quality conformation of the feet and legs. The mane is thick, though the tail is usually cut short. The breed is close coupled, wide and deep through the chest, with plenty of back rib. The muscles of the forearms, croup and gaskins are especially emphasized in a good drafter, and ease and balance of gait is essential. The horse is also expected to be of good temperament and be an easy keeper.
The Percheron head and neck is typical of the correct draft horse. Good Percherons have a large and full prominent eye, a broad and full forehead, and straight face. A wide jaw and refined ears attractively set and carried with animation are visible evidence of the Percheron's Arabian ancestry. Stallions should have a ruggedness about the head and mares should have a feminine look. The neck is well-shaped and powerful
==Percherons have withers well defined, a short back, a deep girth, long, somewhat level croup, big, well-rounded hip, and powerful muscling in the lower thigh.
In recent years, modern show Percherons have been bred for a longer, thinner neck, a longer back, and longer, smoother-looking muscles. These types of modern percherons are used mainly as show horses for competition.
Temperament
The Percheron has a very pleasing disposition, and is proud, alert, and intelligent. They are generally very gentle horses, well-suited for driving, and are strong and willing workers. The Percheron is readily adapted to varying climates and conditions. They have the strength to pull heavy loads and the graceful style to pull a fine carriage. Percherons can be ridden and some have even been trained to jump.
Color
Percherons are generally black or gray. Some registries only accept those two colors, though chestnut, sorrel, and bay colors are acceptable for registration in the US with a DNA test confirming their parentage. Gray and black are produced by dominant genes. The red gene for chestnut is recessive, and a red foal can only result from the mating of two black horses if they are heterozygous, having the red gene present in both sire and dam, and even then it is only a one in four chance that a chestnut will be produced.
Some Percherons have white markings on the head and feet, but excessive white is undesirable.
Height and weight
Percherons range in height from 15 to 19 hands high, most are between 16-2 and 17-3 hands high. They can weigh up to 2,600 pounds with the average around 1,900. One of the tallest horses on record was a Percheron named Dr Le Gear. Foaled in 1902, he stood 21.1 hands (7 feet) at the withers and weighed just under 1,370 kg.
Lifespan
Percherons can be long-lived horses, living over 25 years. An unverified record states a Percheron lived to be 41.
