But I did it!

The Official Site for the Percheron Horse Association of America. Long before the invention of the motorized truck and farm tractor, the Percheron draft horse provided the power to build and feed our nation. Now this noble horse provides the power, substance, beauty, and style as America's work and recreation horse for the twenty first century.

History and origin of the breed. Except for the recent past, the history of the Percheron breed is not exactly clear. The Percheron Horse did originate in the province of Le Perche, near Normandy, France. The ancestors of the modern day Percheron served as war horses carrying knights into battle instead as draft animals in the field. Those horses were light, sure-footed and spirited. As agricultural pursuits began to take precedence over battles, these horses were bred more for size, weight and strength. The French, however, kept very few records regarding breeding which allows for speculation on the breeds true origins.

It is widely believed that the Arabian horse played an important role in the development of the Percheron. By the time of the crusades, the Percheron breed was widely recognized as outstanding for his substance and soundness, as well as for his characteristic beauty and style.

By the 17th century horses produced in Le Perche had attained widespread notoriety and were in demand for many different uses. The Percheron of this time showed less scale and easily adapted to pulling the heavy mail coaches of France. They stood from 15 to 16 hands high at this time. Read it all.