Percheron

No one really knows the exact origins of the Perheron horse.  Many people believe the Percheron is a breed that descended from the original horses that were found during the Ice Age, while others believe the Percheron is related to the Boulonnais horse that was used in the Roman invasion of Brittany.  Some people believe that Percheron is from Arab stallions or from the horses used when invading Moors during the battle of Poitiers.  Whatever the exact history of Percheron horses, they were mated with Arab stallions during the eigth century and during the Middle Ages.  During the crusades, the Percheron breed was recognized for their soundness and beauty.

Percheron horses stood about 15 to 16 hands hgih in the 17th century, and were very much in demand for their ability to perform a variety of tasks.  They were very active horses.  In the 19th century, a stud was established by the French Government in order to develop the breed as mounts for the army.

In 1839, Percherons were imported to the United States by Edward Harris of New Jersey.  In the last half of the 19th century, thousands of Percherons were imported into America and continued to be imported until World War II.  American farmers and freight workers loved Percheron, and the government census of 1930 showed that there were at least 3 times as many Percherons registered as four other draft horse breeds combined.

After World War II, farm tractor inventions made Percheron's less necessary, and the breed nearly became extinct.  A few farmers and Amish helped preserve the breed.