Horse
Pronunciation:
Per'-sher'awn
Breed Description:
The Percheron breed of horse is a large draft horse that originated in France but has found great popularity in the United States and Canada.They are very useful on small farms and for forest work, and make excellent carriage driving horses. They have a very elegant appearance and excellent conformation. They are usually black or gray in color although chestnut and bay colors can occur. Most Percherons have few, if any, white markings.
Temperament:
The Percheron breed of horse has an excellent temperament and makes an excellent carriage horse. Their calm and careful nature has made them the choice to pull the carriages at Disney theme parks.
Height:
The Percheron breed of horse stands between 16.2 and 18 hands.
Weight:
The Percheron breed of horse weighs up to 2200 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Percheron breed of horse has thin skin, and is prone to "Scratches" or pododermititis.
Living Conditions:
The Percheron breed of horse has thin skin that is easily irritated by very wet climates and needs to be kept in dry conditions.
Exercise:
The Percheron breed of horse enjoys work and is eager to please. It appreciates regular exercise.
Life Expectancy:
The Percheron breed of horse live into its mid-twenties or more.
Grooming:
The Percheron breed of horse has a fine coat and sensitive skin and needs regular grooming.
Origin:
The Percheron breed of horse is of uncertain origins, but is a very old breed, likely tracing its heritage back to Ancient Roman horses used to conquer northern France. Whether or not this is true, at two points in history the native horses of the Le Perche region of France were crossed with Arab horses, first during the eighth century and later during the Middle Ages. By the time of the crusades the Percheron was widely recognized for its substance and soundness, as well as for his characteristic beauty and style, and was a choice of medieval knights for its ability to carry heavy armor and its bravery in combat.
By the 17th century horses produced in Le Perche had attained widespread notoriety and were in demand for many different uses. In the early 19th century the French government established a stud at Le Pin for the development of the breed as army mounts. In 1823, a horse named Jean Le Blanc was foaled in Le Perche and all of today's Percheron bloodlines trace directly to this horse.
Percherons were first imported to the United States in 1839, by Edward Harris of Moorestown, New Jersey. The stallions, Normandy and Louis Napoleon, were imported to Ohio in 1851. Louis Napolean was later sold into Illinois and wound up in the hands of the Dunham family who were instrumental in forming the American Percheron Association. Thousands of Percherons were imported to America in the last half of the 19th century to assist with the development of the midwestern plains and cities, and importations continued up until World War II. The Percheron quickly became the favorite of both the American farmer and the teamster who moved freight across the country. The Percheron was so popular that by 1930, records showed that there were three times as many registered Percherons in the US as other draft breeds combined.
Following World War II, and the spread of the modern farm tractor the breed almost became extinct. However, a handful of farmers, including many Amish, kept the breed alive. In the 1960's, Percherons enjoyed the return to popularity of draft horses for hobby farms and recreation, and are among the most popular of draft breeds. They are also increasingly used, very successfully, in crosses with thoroughbreds to produce riding and sport horses. 