The Percheron horse

The text surveys the history, physical traits, and breeding of a heavy draught horse, tracing its origins, regional variations, and factors behind recent decline. It evaluates methods to restore quality, comparing selection within the breed, consanguinity risks, and foreign crossings—notably Arabian and English blood—while arguing for preserving three distinct types. Practical chapters cover stud-books, rearing, feeding, market practices, and tests of speed and endurance, and offer guidance for purchasers and breeders. The work balances technical breeding theory with agricultural detail and concrete recommendations for improving and conserving the breed.