Percheron

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The Percheron is one of the world's most famous draft horses. They originate in the Perche region of France. The Percheron is used for agricultural work, makes an attractive parade horse, and is a most animated and powerful show horse in heavy harness.

Percherons are generally black or gray, though chestnut, sorrel, or bay are acceptable for registration in the US with a DNA test confirming their parentage. The red gene is recessive, and a red foal can result from the mating of two black horses providing that the red gene is present in both sire and dam. North American horses with a high percentage of Justamere Showtime breeding are more likely to carry the recessive gene.

A Percherons life span is about 27-39years.

One of the tallest horses on record was a Percheron named Dr Le Gear. Foaled in 1902, he stood 7 feet or 21hh at the withers and weighed just under 1,370kg. However, there was once a Percheron on record that rose to a full 24hh.

They are generally very gentle horses, though strong and willing. They are true giants, capable of reaching 20hh in a push.

They are usually quite muscular, and well-suited for driving.

[edit] External links

• Societe hippique Percheronne de France
• Percheron Horse Association of America
• Oklahoma State University's Percheron Page
• British Percheron Horse Society