. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. HORSE HORSE 479 The modern Percheron approaches more closely the essentials of a draft horse to meet modern markets, but the old type had some qualities, such as style, endurance and activity, which were diffi- cult to retain in a shorter and stouter built horse of more weight. The present-day Percheron's excellencies are to be seen in the active temperament, intelligent head, deep body, wide muscular croup and clean-cut legs of the typical representative. The joints are usually clean and hard, and the legs invariably show an abu
. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. HORSE HORSE 479 The modern Percheron approaches more closely the essentials of a draft horse to meet modern markets, but the old type had some qualities, such as style, endurance and activity, which were diffi- cult to retain in a shorter and stouter built horse of more weight. The present-day Percheron's excellencies are to be seen in the active temperament, intelligent head, deep body, wide muscular croup and clean-cut legs of the typical representative. The joints are usually clean and hard, and the legs invariably show an abundance of quality that guarantees dur- ability ; but frequently the set of the legs and, particularly, the shape of the hind-quarters, is at fault. A croup too sloping, with deficiency in muscle below, cannot give the greatest pulling power, especially when associated, as it often is, with legs that are improperly set, being either too straight, sickle-hocked or otherwise cramped in the hind-quarters. The Percheron is rarely deficient in quality and activity, and when the weight is suffi- cient to meet the demands of the modern draft- horse market, a draft horse of unusual excellencies is the result. The action of the Percheron is almost always quick enough for a draft horse, and the feet are generally picked up with snap at the walk; but these should not be allowed to overshadow desirable mechanical action, which is straight and distance-covering, although less showy and attractive. In size, the Percheron ranges from fifteen and one-fourth to sixteen and one-half hands, and from 1,500 to over 2,000 pounds in weight. There are a number of medium size, although the largest take rank with the largest of any of the draft breeds. In France there is a type smaller in size than the medium. These are popular for general traffic and for bus and tram use in cities. The demand in the United States is for the larger types. History. France has long been noted for good horses. The horses of
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbaileylh, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookyear1922
