Some feel Arabian bloodlines eventually were introduced to add hardiness and refinement. During the s, the French government developed the breed to use as cavalry mounts. The Percheron is among the gentle giants of the horse world. Though a popular and powerful draft horse, the Percheron today is equally comfortable under saddle and in harness.
The Percheron represented the most popular draft horse breed in America through the early s, earmarked by the largest draft horse breed registry. For a time in the United States, all draft breeds appeared on the watch list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, but are now growing in numbers and have been taken off the list. The Percheron has heavily muscled shoulders, forearms and haunches, and gives an overall impression of compact strength.
Their necks are sturdy and elegantly arched. Percheron horses stand Percherons are born black and then turn gray as they mature.
Their manes and tails can be thick and often wavy. They are a bit livelier than some of their draft horse relatives.
The Percheron is often out-crossed with Thoroughbreds, warmbloods and Baroque breeds such as Andalusians and Lusitanos to be used as sport horses in dressage, eventing, hunting and pleasure riding.
Their stamina is legendary; breed enthusiasts in the s touted their ability to travel nearly 40 miles 64 km a day at a trot. Range Line Phoenix was successful sire. In Preston Wolfe was purchased as a yearling and went on to win a number of championships. After WWII horses were quickly being replaced with tractors.
There was no longer a need for them to plow and harvest. In that show, Ginger's Pervenche, a mare by Ginger and out of Pervenche, won championship honors. The draft horses remained at MSU until ; however those last 20 years were nowhere near as impressive as the first One of these mares, Arlene, formed the foundation for the Percheron breeding program.
Maplegrove Leila was another Percheron mare who made history by winning 23 championships three of which were at the same International. Another exceptional broodmare was Coreen whose get won substantial prize money at the state fairs and the International. Although there were many others his performance as a stud was superior. The Percheron Society of America rankings for superior sire Treviso ranked fifth in and third in Sir Laet was an exceptional sire and was bred to many Treviso daughters.
In he was grand champion at the Ohio and Michigan state fairs and at the International. Sir Laet remained at MSC for just over 10 yrs before he was sold. In , the last draft horse left the MSU campus and it wasn't until 36 years later that one returned. Russ Erickson accepted the responsibility of the draft horses.
One of the geldings died from cancer shortly after his arrival so in order to find a replacement Russ journeyed to the Topeka, IN draft horse sale, but couldn't find a suitable replacement and ended up purchasing a team of Belgian geldings. Greta and Flora each produced a live filly. In the spring of , the program sponsored another Plow Day and 18 teams of horses and mules came to plow. We are striving hard to ensure that the Draft Horse Program will continue for years to come.
Russ Erickson in to preserve the future of the program. This money is used to repair harness parts, purchase new harness and general supplies, and repair vehicles.
0コメント