With their heads held high and their strides long, these magnificent horses are more than a joy to watch, they are a living part of our country’s history.

Percheron Team Most experts believe the noble Percheron, the most elegant of the heavy draft horse breeds, can trace its lineage to the magnificent Barbs and Arabian horses brought back by the Crusaders. Certainly, there is a strong eastern influence in the handsome, spirited Percheron. The breed developed as a war horse for French knights. Later, the grace and stamina of the Percheron made it the choice of French kings for pulling royal carriages and coaches.

The modern history of the Percheron is rooted in the region of Le Perche in Normandy, France. It was there in the early 1800’s that centuries of crossbreeding produced the most famous of all Percheron stallions, Jean le Blanc. Today, all major Percheron bloodlines can be traced directly to this horse.

Percheron Team In 1839, the first Percherons were imported to the United States from Normandy. At the time, French draft horse stock from that region was basically referred to as Norman horses. But in the 1870’s and 80’s, the Le Perche province itself became well-known with importers for the superiority of its draft horses, resulting in thousands of Percherons being imported to America during the post-Civil War era.

In the years that followed, the Percheron became America’s most popular draft horse thanks to its immense power, stylish action and docile temperament. In many ways our country was built on the backs of these strong and diligent animals. The Percheron pulled plows, hauled freight and served with American soldiers on the battlefields of the First World War. So popular was the Percheron that by 1930, it outnumbered all other draft breeds combined.

Percheron Team The popularity of the breed waned after World War II due to the mechanization of America. The Percheron was still utilized by some farmers, including Amish farmers, and others who were dedicated to the breed. Their perseverance was rewarded as the breed made a comeback that started in the 1960’s and continues today. Percherons now work on many small farms and forest logging projects. More often, they are utilized for recreational work such as carriage and sleigh rides, and in parades, as well as for draft horse competitions and demonstrations at rodeos, state fairs and the like.

Ironically, there are now more Percherons in the United States than in France. Recently the French government began an effort to replenish the breed in its native land. The first Percheron exported to France for this purpose was a full brother of a former Bison Homes Percheron.

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