Percheron

Overview

Originating from the Perche valley in Normandy, the Percheron combines the strength of a draft horse with the elegance of Arabian blood introduced into its lineage centuries ago. Only powerful, but agile.

Origin & History

Originally bred as warhorses, then for pulling fast stagecoaches, and finally for heavy agriculture. The infusion of Arabian blood in the 18th and 19th centuries gave them, besides size, a stamina and movement style unique among draft horses.

Temperament & Personality

Famous for their good nature.

• Calm: Hard to spook, making them ideal for work in parades or busy streets.
• Willing: They enjoy working and pulling.
• Intelligent: Quickly understand what is required of them.

Physical Characteristics

A massive yet refined horse.

• Colors: Mainly grey or black.
• Body: Wide and deep chest, immensely powerful hindquarters.
• Head: Straight and fine (Arabian heritage), with large, alert eyes.
• Legs: Clean of heavy feathering (unlike the Shire or Clydesdale), which makes care easier in mud.

Foal Stage

Foals are born big and grow VERY fast.

• Nutrition: Require a balanced diet to support rapid bone growth without causing joint issues.
• Socialization: Vital to teach manners while they are small because they will soon be too strong to force physically.

Adult Stage

• Strength: Can pull immense loads.
• Versatility: Today used for competitive driving, eco-friendly forestry work, and even ridden.

Health & Care

• Joints: Due to their weight, can suffer arthritis or hoof issues if working on very hard surfaces.
• EPSM: Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, a muscle condition requiring a low-starch, high-fat diet.

Needs & Routines

• Space: Need large paddocks and reinforced stables. They break things simply by leaning on them.
• Farrier: Need a farrier specializing in heavy horses. Their hooves are huge.