Rachael Weiner

HS Animal Tech PM class

Percheron
One of the most beautiful and impressive horses to see is the Percheron, a draft breed
from Europe with Arab ancestry. Percherons are amazing adaptable horses capable of doing all
types of work. Percherons are known for the facts that they are large, heavy and finely
featured, they are calm in temperament, well mannered, and also quite healthy. In their long
history Percherons influenced France just as much as France influenced them.
The breed originates from the Perche region of Normandy, France (Langrish, 2007).
They are named after the area they come from. The Breed originated in 732 CE, Abandoned
by the Saracens after their defeat at the Battle of Potiers, [their Arabian horses] were allowed
to breed with the heavy mares of the region (Langrish, 2007) this is the beginning of the
Percheron breed. Due to the Arab breeding, Percherons at this point were much lighter than
its modern counterpart and was used for riding as well as for light draft work (Langrish, 2007).
The breed was further bred down during the Holy Wars. During the Crusades Arab horses were
brought back to France and mated with Percherons (Langrish, 2007). After all the heaviness
was gone from the breed, heavy mares were bred in to the breed to make Percherons suitable
for heavy work again. The gray coloring in Percherons comes from 1820 where two gray Arab
stallions were mated with Percheron mares, thus creating the predominantly gray color of the
modern day breed (Langrish, 2007). Percherons were originally bred to carry knights in to
battle, but quickly became popular plow and cart horses due to their strength and size (Burns,
2003).

Rachael Weiner
HS Animal Tech PM class

Percherons are one of the largest horse breeds, they are typically between 15 and 19
hands (between 5 and 64) measured at the withers. Most Percherons will weigh between
1500 and 2600 pounds. They are a well-muscled breed with broad chest and hindquarters
(Burns, 2003). Their legs are proportional without feathers and fine hooves (Burns, 2003).
They have very large arching necks that extend high above their spines, because of a fat roll
present in their neck. They have finely featured head with strong cheekbones (Burns, 2003).
Their tails are typically docked (Edwards, 1991). They have very short coats which come in
black and dappled gray (Burns, 2003). In the black coat it is desired to not have any white
marks. Percherons come in two body types, short and stocky, and tall and lanky.
Percherons are usually characterized as gentle giants or big goof-balls (Burns, 2003).
They are very good with animals and children due to their docile nature. Unfortunately
Percherons should only be trained by big horse people because it is quite common for large
horses to become dangerous. When a large horse learns that people are afraid of it, they will
employ the tactic of whenever they dont want to do what they are asked, they will run at a
person full speed. This behavior can be corrected but is a major issue with inexperienced
trainers. Percherons are hardy and adaptable able to live in almost any climate and do almost
any work (Edwards, 1991). Each horse is individual in the amount of attention they desire but
for a breed standard they are loving and desire attention but are adaptable to any level of
attention. The most notable characteristic of the Percheron breed is their adaptability.
Percherons can live in almost any climate, It has been exported to the Americas, Australia,
South Africa, Japan*and]the Falkland Islands (Edwards, 1991) and live fine both indoors and
outdoors.

Rachael Weiner
HS Animal Tech PM class

Percherons are a long living, 25 or older and are often working into their early twenties.
Percherons are commonly cow-hocked. Just like many large horse breeds a Percheron with a
heavy work load in their older years may need hock injections. Percherons are well suited to all
and any work.
Percherons are famed for their versatility, being favored horses in Driving and
Equestrian Vaulting. Due to their high quality motion and temperament Percherons are highly
favored by circus riders and equestrian vaulters. In the circus they are called rosinbacks
(Burns, 2003) because riders used to sprinkle pine rosin on their horses backs before the
invention of sticky spray. In driving Percherons are famed for their strength. The Percheron
breed has the unofficial pulling record of 3,410lb (1,547kg) (Edwards, 1991) this makes them
highly desirable for driving. However Percherons adapt well to all work heres proof, Miss Annie
Git Yer Gun was trained in cutting and worked on a farm in Fort Lupton, CO, Sampson was
trained as a therapy horse, and Shelby excels in dressage. All these Percherons have since
moved to vaulting but their backgrounds are diverse.
Percherons are surely an awe inspiring breed. Their history is long and diverse. They
are physically impressive. Their temperament is calm and graceful. They are healthy. Also they
are talented at all types of work. Percherons as a breed are well-loved, they have an incredibly
strong group of admirers who will tote the benefits of the breed. However the breeds skills
are obvious without any bragging.

Rachael Weiner
HS Animal Tech PM class

Works Cited
Burns, D. (2003). The Horse Breeds. Storey Publishing, LLC.
Edwards, E. H. (1991). Ultimate Horse. DK publishing.
Langrish, A. M. (2007). A Portrait of the Horse. Barnes &Noble.