Horses: Percheron

Percheron horse standing at edge of a dam to drink

Country of Origin

Le Perché Region, France

Australian Status

Endangered status tag

International Status

FAO Breed data sheet

Uses

Draught, logging, riding

Breed Traits

15.1 to 18.1hh.
Minimum height for mares if 15.2hh, for stallions 16hh.
Usual colours are grey and black.
Limited white is allowed.
Clean legs.

The Percheron is intelligent, kind, docile, and easy to train. Although a heavy horse, they should have style and activity giving the general impression of power and refinement.

History

Local mares of massive Flemish stock bred in the Le Perche region of France were at least twice crossed with Arab stallions; once during the Middle Ages, and again in the late 1700s to early 1800s. These crosses become the breed known today as the Percheron. They had gained wide acceptance and acclaim as a battle horse during the Crusades, and were used by the British as war horses during World War I.

The 1800s saw exports to the United States and other countries, and in 1893 the first stud book dedicated to the Percheron was established in France.

History in Australia

The general consensus is that the first Percheron arrived with a convict shipment and were the first draught horses in the country. Imports of live animals continued through the late 19th century and into the mid-twentieth century. The Sydney Royal show held Percheron classes dedicated to the breed from 1920 to 1952. The first semen from French stallions was imported in 2011. The Percheron Horse Breeders Association of Australia has an excellent history of the breed.