Origin: La Perche Normandy, France
Height: 16.2 - 17.3 hh
Colors: Grey or black
Build: Very muscular, broad chest and body with short legs and back
Attributes: Quiet, responsive, and graceful

History of the Percheron Draft Horse

The ancestors of the Percheron draft horses were war horses used by the Frankish knights of Charles Martel in the battle of Poitiers in 732. There the knights defeated the Moors, making it possible for the French breeders to have access to Moorish Barbs and Arabians. However, the true history of the Percheron is long hidden in the fog of history. What is known is that the Count of Rotrou imported eastern horses, such as the Barb and the Arabian, around 1069. By 1760 the royal stud at Le Pin had a thriving trade in Arabian sires, making them easily available to Percheron breeders.

The most famous Arabian studs to contribute their blood to the Percheron draft horse line were Goldophin and Gallipoly, the later was the sire of the most famous Percheron stallion, Jean le Blanc.

After the need for war horses was over the Percheron horse was used to pull heavy stage coaches as Percherons have amazing endurance and their grey color (almost all Percherons were grey early on) made them more visible at night. The mail and passenger coaches that the Percherons pulled were known as diligences, therefore they were known as Diligence horses.

Once the railroad took over the job of the diligences the Percheron draft horse began to work both more in the cities and more in country. In the cities of France the Percheron draft horses were popularly used as a wagon-pulling horse, to carry people around the city. The breeders of the Percheron even bred the horses to be a little heavier, so that they were more adept at the job. In the country the Percheron draft horse was beginning to displace the oxen, because horses were faster. Again breeders subtly changed the Percheron so that it was stronger and more suited to its new job. Another job that the Percherons were used for was hauling goods from the docks and railheads.

As with so many draft horses, the Percheron was almost driven to extinction by the Industrial Revolution. However, the Percheron draft horse had a loyal group of advocates and through these dedicated people the Percheron survived and the breed's population has recently begun to expand.

Characteristics of the Percheron Draft Horse

Appearance and Conformation of the Percheron Draft Horse

Percherons are not the tallest of the draft horses, but they are very, very muscular. Percheron draft horses can weigh up to 2600 pounds with the average around 1900. The hooves are very hard although not huge. The legs should not have much feathering, they are short and extremely powerful. The legs of the Percheron draft horse may have a bone measurement of over ten inches. The croup should be long and flat, with large rounded hips. The body of the Percheron draft horse is very broad and deep, with a lot of back rib. The withers are highly prominent, which allows for a greater slop in the shoulder, giving the Percheron draft horse exceedingly free movement and a long stride. The neck is long and think and the head often reflects the large quantities of Arabian blood in the Percheron bloodline. The Percheron draft horse should have a full forehead and delicate features.

The colors of the Percheron draft horse are generally gray and black, although there are also sorrels, bays and roans.

Temperament of the Percheron Draft Horse

The Percheron draft horse has a beautiful temperament, it is a very calm horse. The breed is often described as proud, alert and intelligent. Also of note is the exceptional endurance and willingness of the Percheron. The Percheron draft horse is wonderful around children, in fact, the breed is the horse of choice at Disneyland, where it pulls all sorts of horse-drawn vehicles on Main Street, USA.

Uses for the Percheron Draft Horse

As with many draft horses the Percheron is highly versatile. Percheron draft horses are happy in many different climates, doing many different jobs. Because of their size they are easily capable of pulling huge loads, but because of their elegance they make beautiful carriage horses. Also Percheron draft horses are great for riding, and even tend to excel in jumping. One of the most popular uses for the Percheron is in logging, where its size and strength are of huge benefit. Plus, because they do not require roads, they are often used when a road is not possible, or when it is undesirable to cut down younger trees on small lots.