Percheron

The Percheron is not just a true French, but one of the most impressive and eye-catching cold-blooded horse breeds.

Not necessarily because of its size, like the Shire Horse, the largest horse in the world, but the Percheron has a lot to offer in addition to its wonderful appearance.

Breed description

The Percheron draft horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in France. It originally comes from the Le Perche region in north-western France but is now common worldwide.

There are two different weight types of the Percheron, the lighter type being used for recreational riding.

Size: 155 – 185 cm
Weight: 600 – 900 kg
Origin: France
Lifespan: 20-25 years
Color: In Europe mostly mold, in the USA brown and black
Suitable as: Dressage, leisure, draft horse

Origin and breed history

If you look at the imposing Percheron, you can hardly believe that there is a lot of Arabian blood in these wonderful horses. The Percheron is one of the oldest horse breeds in France and one of the best known.

Legend has it that these magnificent horses were bred as early as the 8th century in the Le Perche region in north-western France. However, according to facts, breeding did not begin until later, in the 11th century, when oriental horses came to the region during wars and political events.

These Arab stallions were mated with local working mares. The horse breed, which slowly emerged as a result, continued to be bred in a targeted manner, as no other horse in the region was so well suited as a cavalry horse as well as a workhorse.

The large and powerful horses were used for almost all agricultural purposes, from harvesting to transporting various goods, and soon became very popular.

Since they were bred in the Le Perche region, the name of the breed was simply adopted from their home region: Percheron. The popularity of the Percheron peaked in the 19th century.

In 1883, urging the USA, the first stud book for the Percheron was created. Many of these imposing horses have been exported all over the world, including the USA, Russia and even Japan.

As mechanization increased, the interest in the powerful animals decreased, they were mainly bred as meat suppliers.

The percheron as a workhorse was nearly extinct, but Americans began active breeding in the 1960s. In 1990 France finally followed the US breeding program and the Percherons were able to experience a comeback.

The Percheron in this day and age

There are now two different types due to the different crossings over time. The heavy hit – Le Trait Percheron – which is still used as a slaughter animal and the lighter type – Le Diligencier Percheron – which is much less massive due to the crossed Arabian blood.

The Percheron is still excellent as a draft and carriage horse. However, because of its excellent gait and character, the Percheron is also very popular with recreational riders, for dressage and even for show jumping.

Here, however, you tend to come across the light type of Percheron, the Le Diligencier Percheron, as it is lighter, more spirited and more agile.

The tallest Percheron stallion in the world was the stallion Dr. Le Gear. He weighed 1,372 kilograms and reached a height of 2.13 meters.

The largest horse in the world so far, a Shire Horse stallion named Sampson, who lived in the mid-19th century, only grew by 6 cm.

The appearance of the Percheron

The Percheron is a heavy draft horse. With a weight between 500 kilograms and 1,200 kilograms, the Percheron can reach a height between 155 centimeters and 185 centimeters.

The heavy type of the Percheron is very large and massive, with strong, muscular hindquarters. The expressive head of the Percheron is large, but looks very noble.

With the lively, expressive and clever eyes, the large nostrils and the long ears, the Percheron gains tremendous expression. The neck is strong and of medium length.

In contrast to most draft horses, the shoulders are noticeably sloping and long, which gives the Percheron a wonderful, smooth trot.

Experts believe that the Percheron’s sloping shoulders are still a holdover from the crossbreeding of oriental horses. The body is stocky, the legs are strong and short.

There is a slight hanging on the fetters. The chest of the Percheron is deep and massive, the back short and well-muscled. The strong arching of the ribs is distinctive and typical of a Percheron, the slightly sloping croup tends to be double.

The mane is lush but has a fine structure. When it comes to coat color, mold is the dominant color in our latitudes. This is probably due to the fact that two Arabian gray horses were crossed in the 19th century – “Gallipoli” and “Godolphin” to improve the breed of the Percheron.

According to the standard, the colors gray and black are also permitted. Since the gray color usually dies out with age, you see more apple mold than black horses. The roan is also a common color of the Percheron.

In the USA one can find more brown Percherons and black horses. Since breeders in the USA prefer darker colors than mold, these color varieties were bred.

The Percheron cold blood differs from other cold blood breeds in its noble gait and high knee action. That is, the horse lifts its forelegs very high when it runs.

In addition to its quick perception, agility and flexibility, this makes it ideally suited for dressage.

Temperament and essence

Although a Percheron is a true draft horse, the breed is not slow or cumbersome. This is where the Arab blood makes itself felt. A Percheron is spirited, willing to work, and always eager to do something.

The Percheron is also characterized by its good nature, its human focus, and its unwavering loyalty to its owner.

This breed of horse is very intelligent and quick to learn.

Useful information

The first Parisian bus company was founded in 1826. The special thing about it was that only Percherons were harnessed to the coaches of the omnibuses.

Since it was exclusively gray mares, the passengers soon affectionately called them “les dames blanches” – the “white women”.

The name was probably based on an opera by François Adrien Boieldieu, “La dame blanche”, the “white woman” from 1825.

Husbandry and nutrition

Attitude

Keeping the Percheron is very straightforward. They are very frugal and easily adapt to any climate. The food should be of high quality, but not too high in protein.

The horse needs regular exercise or regular work with the Percheron in order to stay healthy and feel good. But please remember before buying that you are not buying a small lightweight.

The box should be at least 14 to 16 square meters. You need blankets, halters, bridles and possibly a saddle for your oversized Percheron, which for this reason are much more expensive to buy.

Nutrition

Whether Noriker, Clydesdale, Criollo, or Boulonnais – the more a horse is cold-blooded, the more difficult it is to feed.

You can follow these basic rules for a species-appropriate and healthy diet:

• Daily roughage, juice feed, and concentrated feed
• From organic farming if possible
• Coordinated with each other
• Feeding spread over the day

In addition, your horse needs a lot of exercises every day and a feed that is very well calculated for its needs.

Education and care

Upbringing

The Percheron is a clever horse willing to learn. He really enjoys learning new things. Hence, the training of the Percheron on these points is relatively easy.

However, this breed of horse needs an experienced hand, because they are very sensitive and the Arab blood that still flows through its veins should not be underestimated.

The Percheron wants to work, wants to be challenged. Consistency is the be-all and end-all in the upbringing of the Percheron because these clever animals learn very quickly what bad habits they can get away with their owner and make full use of this.

Maintenance

The Percheron usually has a beautiful shiny coat that just invites you to groom.

You should do this every day, it will rid your horse of dead hair flakes, loose hair, and dirt.

You also have to scrape out the hooves after every ride. If necessary, you should clean your eyes and ears.

In addition, the Percheron is actually quite easy to care for.

Health and Typical Diseases

The Percheron is actually a healthy, sturdy horse.

Due to incorrect feeding, little work, and the underestimation of the enormous mineral requirement of the cold-blooded horses, however, degenerative joint diseases, raspe, eczema, and chronic obstructive bronchitis or mudguard occur again and again.

Muscle diseases such as cross crate are also nutrient-related diseases.

You can prevent these diseases by working your Percheron well, feeding it appropriately, and adding minerals and trace elements in the form of pellets.

Life expectancy

The average life expectancy of a Percheron is 25 years. Depending on how it is kept and fed and the intensity with which it is worked, your Percheron can of course also get a little older.

Buy Percheron horse breed

There are some very good breeders of Percherons in Germany. The largest selection of Percherons and their breeders can of course be found in the home of the wonderful and noble draft horse, in France.

Percherons are also offered via private classified ads. Take a close look at the selected animal before buying it, especially if the price for one of these wonderful horses seems relatively cheap.

Study the papers carefully and inquire about previous illnesses and existing illnesses and problems.

A pre-purchase check-up is also advisable, i.e. a veterinarian examines the horse before buying it. In any case, stick to the purchase inspection. Preparation and loading attempts are part of it.

Questions to ask yourself before buying:

Is the horse balanced? Does it speak to me, does it look at me and can I establish a connection with this horse? Is it well fed or is it showing signs of illness? – What do the hooves, eyes, and teeth look like? How has the horse been worked so far?
Are the papers complete? (Horse pass, etc.)

Decision support

The Percheron is a good-natured, strong, and yet very noble cold blood. In addition to its classic use as a work and draft horse, the noble draft horse is becoming increasingly popular as a riding horse.

The Percheron is an excellent horse for dressage, especially because of its relaxed, graceful gait with high knee action and quick comprehension.

Even if the Percheron is very gentle and good-natured, it has a certain temperament due to the crossing of Arab horses, which should not be underestimated.

If you are looking for a robust horse with a noble look for driving, leisure riding, or dressage, then the Percheron in all its splendor and its gentle nature can be interesting for you.