The Percheron

See also:

Shire Horses | The Suffolk Punch | The Clydesdale

The Cleveland | Dales and Fell Ponies

The French National Studs try to foster two strains of each heavy breed, a larger animal for heavy draught and a lighter one for roadwork. With its close relative, the Boulonnais, the Percherons were no exception. They first appeared in Britain at the end of the 19th century pulling buses, but became popular after the First World War, when they did so well, hauling field guns in the mud.

Arab blood gives them a refined head and neck. The model for traditional rocking horses; they are arguably the most elegant breed of heavy horse.

Black, turning to dappled grey with white mane and tail is the popular colour. They have hard blue horn feet and without feathers, they are easier to groom than the "feathered" breeds. Rather long in the back, they move with a gliding trot, which they can maintain at 8 m.p.h.