Table of Contents
Important data at a glance
- Origin: France
- Type: Coldblood
- Size: 63 – 71 in
- Weight: 1984 – 3024 lbs
- Colors: gray, black, rarely chestnut and bay
- Suitability: working and draft horse
How tall does a Percheron grow?
The Percheron reaches a height of approx. 61 to 68 inches.
Breeding history of Percheron horses
Percheron horses are one of the oldest French breeds and have been native to the eponymous region of Le Perche in northwestern France for centuries. Originally, they trace their ancestry back to the Arabian, as domestic mares have been crossed with Arabian stallions since the Middle Ages. Today’s heavy cat-blood type developed in the course of the increasing selection of draft and work horses, which played an important role in agriculture, especially in the 19th century. The original Arabian horse developed into a massive and heavily muscled breed as a result of climatic conditions and the interpretation of breeding for the performance of heavy work.
The large and powerfully built horses were used for a variety of agricultural purposes, from harvesting to transportation, and were increasingly exported throughout the world beginning in the 20th century. During World War I, they were used as military horses before increasing mechanization reduced demand. However, as demand grew in the wake of recreational riding, the Percheron regained popularity. Today, the breed is still common in France, but also in Great Britain, North America, Japan and Russia.
Appearance of Percheron horses
The Percheron is a heavy cold-blooded horse and reaches a height of 61 to 73 inches with a weight of 1102 to 2645 lbs. In terms of conformation, two types of horses are distinguished, Le Trait Percheron and Le Diligencier Percheron. The first, heavier type is particularly large and massive and corresponds to a heavyweight working and pack horse with muscular hindquarters. The lighter type, on the other hand, remains smaller and is also suitable as a riding horse in the field of leisure riding.
Basically, the Percheron of both species have set breed standards, including the expressive head with lively eyes, large nostrils and elongated ears. Desirable are a medium-length neck, strikingly sloping and long shoulders, as well as a broad, massive chest and a short, straight back. The strong rib curvature and the slightly sloping croup with a tendency to double appear also striking. The dry foundation is characterized by strong limbs and a light feathering at the fetlocks.
With regard to coat coloration, the gray is predominant in the Percheron. According to breed regulations, only gray and black coat colors are accepted, with the gray shading out with age. Therefore, apple gray and, more rarely, black horses are common.
Impressions of the horse breed
What is the weight of a Percheron?
Depending on the size, the average weight is 1984 lbs.
Percheron in video
Characteristics of the Percheron
The heavy cold-blooded horses are characterized by good-naturedness and show themselves intelligent and willing to perform. Despite their high body weight, they are by no means cumbersome, but very willing to work, eager and full of energy. In handling they always prove to be uncomplicated and reliable. Thus, the Percheron is suitable as a carriage and driving horse, and in the lighter type also as a riding horse for leisure.
Particularly noteworthy is their enormous endurance. Logging or carriage rides lasting for hours are no problem for the Percheron. The animals always remain industrious and good-natured. Last but not least, the Arabian blood is also noticeable in this breed, which probably still flows through its veins in minute quantities. The Percheron horse is – due to its mass – not a boring animal, but can sometimes be observed in lively buck jumps on the pasture. These animals love life and like to show it through their wonderful, loyal character.
How old does a Percheron become?
The life expectancy for a coldblood is 16 to 18 years on average. However, many Percherons have lived to be 25 years and older.
Special characteristics, uses and hereditary diseases of the breed
Breeders divide the Percheron into two different types:
- the light, sporty and somewhat nobler type
- the massive and clearly heavier basic type
These two types (often deliberately bred) can be used differently today. While this horse used to be popular mainly as a draft animal and robust riding horse in the military, meanwhile especially the lighter types can be seen again and again in dressage as well as in jumping. Due to its type, this horse is certainly not suitable for high classes, but provides riders with absolute versatility in use to a certain degree.
Basically, this breed belongs to the robust, frugal, as well as adaptable horse breeds, which are not more susceptible to diseases than other breeds. The only thing to keep in mind is that the Percheron does not need a lot of energy and the feeding must be adapted accordingly. However, this is true for most cold-blooded breeds.
Nevertheless, there are horses which are affected by the disease PSSM. PSSM stands for “polysaccharide storage myopathy” and refers to a metabolic disorder of the muscles. PSSM exists in two types. Type 1 is the genetically, heritable form. Type 2 is not genetically inherited. However, the Percheron is considered (for example, next to the Noriker or in the South German Warmblood) as a breed at risk for this. Type 1 stallions are usually castrated and sold as geldings. Stallions that inherit PSSM should not necessarily be used for breeding.
Famous horses of the breed in sports, film and television
Probably the most famous Percheron is the stallion “Dr. Le Gear”. He was born in 1902 and is said to have been the tallest horse in the world with a height of 7,18 ft. Dr. Le Gear reached with his size a considerable weight of 3024 lbs.
The report “Percheron, the powerhouse with horsepower” presents this horse breed in its diversity and gives a good insight into the various possible uses.
However, the Percheron is particularly well known to beer drinkers. The Warsteiner brewery relied on this horse breed for over 30 years and discontinued the presentation at shooting festivals, weddings and public festivals in 2017.
How expensive is a Percheron?
With this breed, you have to expect a price starting at about 4,000 dollar. The price for a Percheron varies depending on age and level of training. If you want to buy a Percheron, you will find mostly dark animals like blacks or dark browns, especially in the USA, because dark horses are more popular there. Predominantly, however, there are gray horses.
