The Percheron is one of the most popular heavy horse breeds to be found today. It is always grey or black and, in contrast to the Shire and Clydesdale (but similar to the Suffolk Punch), is clean-legged.
Its true origins have been lost in antiquity but is known is that during the eight century and again during the Middle Ages there was an infusion of Arab blood.
Its popularity extends far beyond its native France where the farmers of the Le Perche area have been fine-tuning their beloved Percherons for centuries. The Percheron is believed to have been the warhorses of the knights, weight-carriers par excellence. When chargers went the way of the dodo, the new demand was for diligence horses' to pull the mail and passenger coaches (diligences). These horses needed to be able to trot at a good speed and have the endurance to complete their stages day after day. The lighter colours were preferred as they could be more easily seen at night.
Then rail began to oust the coaches and the new demand was for a slightly sturdier type to supply the omnibus trade. Then an even stronger horse was needed for moving heavy loads to and from docks and railheads. So over hundreds of years, the indigenous horse of the Le Perche area in the north west of France was bred to supply heavier or lighter animals according to demand.
All Percheron bloodlines trace directly to foundation stock originating in Le Perche.
The initial imports to the US were in 1839 and 1851 and came from Normandy. Then, in the 1870 and 80s, thousands of draught horses were imported from France and Great Britain. During the 1880s almost 5,000 stallions and over 2,500 mares were imported mostly from Le Perche. By 1930, Percherons outnumberd by three to one all other draft breeds combined.
Mechanisation meant the gradual decline of heavy horse numbers and in 1954 only 85 animals were recorded. A few dedicated breeders, including numbers of Amish farmers, continued to breed and nurture the Percheron. Eventually the wheel would turn maybe not full circle but certainly some way towards it. Registration in 1998 had grown to 2,257.
Their value as an advertising icon is being increasingly recognized. Hitches of four-, six-, or more horses thundering around an arena or prancing through a town give great pleasure to those watching. As a manoeuvrable, versatile, draught animal on small properties, woodlots or tourist resorts, the Percheron has few equals.
In Australia, it is believed that Percherons imported from Canada were the first draught horses to arrive in the colony. However no records of progeny from these horses is now in evidence. In 1913, the South Australian Kadlunga stud was founded with the purchase of a colt and two fillies from France. The New South Wales Department of Agriculture had a number of Percherons in the 1940s and 50s and today there are around 1000 purebreds. Percherons or part breds are used by the South Australian Mounted Police and the Victorian Police as drum horses. The Commonwealth Serum Laboratories use Percherons for the production of anti-venin for snake-bites.
Docile and easily trained, the Percheron today is a short-legged draught horse of massive proportions. The body is short and compact of considerable depth and great muscular development. It is surprisingly active for being so heavy and has extremely hard-wearing feet of hard blue horn. The legs are free of feather' or long hair. The fine skin and coat are possibly a remnant from its Arab ancestors. The stallions usually stand 16.3hh or more and mares slightly shorter. The head is wide between the eyes with an intelligent expression and a straight profile. A strong neck, wide chest, laid back shoulder and short strong back all convey a sense of strength. The hind quarters are wide and muscular. The legs show heavy flat bone with short cannons, well muscled second thighs and broad knees and hocks. The action is long and free. The general impression should be one of quality and strength.
Long may all breeds of heavy horse continue to grace our fields and paddocks so we may marvel at their strength and beauty.
Sources:
www.gattonheavyhorses.com
www.ansi.oks tate.edu
www.percheronhorse.org