• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Care
    • News
    • Fun
    • Heartwarming
    • Videos
    • Rescue
    • Horse Fun
    • Tips For Riders
    • Fun Facts
    • Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Horse Breed Information

    Percherons: The Fascinating Backstory Behind Our Favorite Cold-Blooded Giants

    Modified: May 8, 2020 by Dani Buckley · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Percherons come with style, grace, gentle temperament and, of course, size, but did you know the story behind their big hoofprint?

    Percheron horses harnessed to a wagon

    The History of Percherons

    Not much is known about the history of the Percheron. However, we do know that they were discovered in Le Perche around Normandy, France. The ancestors of the modern Percheron carried real knights with shining armor into battle with style – just like we see in the medieval-themed Netflix shows. The horses were lighter back then compared to their weight in the modern-day. The Percheron is also highly spirited and ready to run into danger.

    As battle’s subsided, the Percheron found its glory days in the fields. Farmers started breeding them more for a larger size so they would be able to bear a heavier load. In the 17th Century, the horses were in high demand all over Europe. At this time, they still hadn’t reached their modern-day height and were about 16hh.

    19th Century Woman With Percheron Horse

    All modern-day Percherons can be traced back to a single horse named Jean La Blanc, who was born in 1823. A few years down the road, in 1839, the first one set foot on US soil. Among them was a mare named Joan and a stallion by the name of Diligence. It was from these two horses that America’s breeding stock of Percherons began.

    Fascinating Facts About The Percheron

    Team of Percheron Horses Running. Copy Space.

    Percherons belong to the cold-blooded class of horses. All draft horses are known as cold-blooded, in fact. This term typically refers to the fact that they are a calm and docile breed of horse.

    The average height of a Percheron is dependent upon where in the world they reside. For example, a Percheron in American can be 16hh to a little over 17hh in America, but up to 18hh in France and a little more than 16hh in Great Brittan. In fact, this horse is among the biggest horse breeds in the world. 

    You can read more about the 5 Biggest Horse Breeds In The World here.

    Percheron horse in the spanish ranch

    It is believed that Percherons had Arabian influences at the beginning of their stock breeding.

    The horse became so popular when their populations rose in the US that by 1930 it was estimated that there were three times as many registered Percherons as there was any other draft horse breed. Even today, there are more of them in the US than there are in any other country.

    Percherons almost found themselves on the endangered species list, after World War II many farmers turned to mechanical tractors, leaving not much use for the workhorse. This lead to a rapid decline in their numbers. However, even after the invention of farm equipment, Amish farms still use this unique breed to work the fields

    Percherons generally only come in two colors: grey and black.

    Portrait of a brown stallion Percheron with beautiful mane and harness on autumn land. Beautiful brown draft horse outdoors with white legs. Czech Republic.

    Many carriages in bigger cities still use these horses to haul couples on streets on romantic horse-drawn rides and pull hay wagons and sleighs. You will also find them in parades. Additionally, many Percheron tails are docked to keep their tail from becoming tangled in their harness or carriage.

    Big, bold, beautiful and a great personality, there are so many reasons Percherons are still one of the favorites among draft lovers. Have you been so lucky to have met or even ridden one?

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    Sources: [1], [2]

     

    More Horse Breed Information

    • The Strongest Horse Breeds in The World
    • Five Horse Breeds Known For Their Graceful Gait
    • Equine 411: All About The Paso Fino
    • Equine 411: All About the Falabella Horse Breed

    Sharing is caring!

    65.2K shares
    • Share65.1K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. France Duff

      February 06, 2021 at 11:54 am

      When my husband was a teenager, he and his dad used to show theirs in Fairs and always win medals and ribbons and quite often reached 1st. place.France

      Reply
    2. Gayle Karen Wannamaker

      February 06, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      I had a Percheron when I was a child. He was a work horse on the farm and when he had some free time I could ride him. Oh what fun I had with this wonderful horse. His name was Silver and was pure white. So gentle l loved him so much because I was only his friend for 5 years from age of 6 until 11

      Reply
    3. CLINT JOHNSON

      May 29, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      Is there a way I can check the lineage on my Percheron. He is 19.4hh and weighs 2085 lbs.reading from the list above, he sounds like he is the biggest Percheron out there, is this true?

      Reply
      • Polly Lindemer

        June 26, 2021 at 10:56 am

        Check out Windermere Farms on Facebook or just google them. Absolutely outstanding Percheron breeding program with most of their studs over 19 hands, They are located in Pennsylvania. Perhaps if you contacted them they would be able answer your concerns.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 17 Gorgeous Equestrian Outfit Ideas for Women
    • 15 Fantastic Pictures of Horse's Jumping to Make You Smile
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    65.2K shares
    • 65.1K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy