Noble Percherons continue to impress city dwellers

By Marty Metzger
Correspondent

Within the borders of northern Colorado thrive knights' war chargers, highway coach horses, working drafts and the carriage horses of kings--all trotting in the bloodlines of the beautiful Percheron breed.

It's generally believed that Arabian, Barb and Turkish equines were crossed onto heavy drafts during the 8th century in the La Perche area of Normandy, France. This infusion produced elegance uncommon in most draft breeds. Some sources claim that a type of horse similar to the Percheron existed in the La Perche region as far back as the Ice Age.

Whatever its origins, the breed as it is known today was organized in 1883 as the Percheron Horse Society of France. In the early 1850s, individuals of the line were imported into the United States. Others were exported to England, Australia and South America.

In the United States, the strong yet stylish horses were for many years the most versatile and sought-after draft breed. Thousands toiled in fields, pranced as carriage teams in cities and carried school children to class.

The early American registry founded in 1876, called the Percheron-Norman Stud Book, was succeeded by the Percheron Stud Book of America. The breed association, now known as the Percheron Horse Association of America, is headquartered in Ohio.

Percherons are usually black or grey. While these colors account for about 90 percent of the breed, occasionally browns, chestnuts or roans occur. In size, the horses range from 15.2 to 17 hands. Viewing one, head to tail, ear tips to hooves, is an experience shared with royalty back into antiquity.

A Percheron exhibits a medium-size, fine head obviously chiseled by Arabian blood. On either side of its broad forehead are large, prominent eyes. Wide nostrils contribute to the breed's staying power. A well-crested neck reaches down to sloping shoulders and high withers. A deep, broad chest and short, straight back lead the viewer's admiring eye to well-sprung ribs (another trait aiding stamina). Legs are short, of good bone, muscled and lightly feathered. Those legs are touted to be able to travel, at a trot, up to an amazing 35 miles per day, a feat reminiscent of the breed's Arab endurance background. For all its size and power, however, the Percheron never appears ungainly.

Influential foundation stock in the United States include the stallions Louis Napoleon, imported 1851; Brilliant, imported 1881; his son Brilliant 1271; Carnot; Dragon; and the great Sir Laet, sire of 12 Ohio State Fair grand champions, 13 grand champions at the Chicago International (1923-1934) and the unequaled record sire of both grand champion stallion and mare at the International.

Even in these days of mega-farms, mass transit, SUVs and mini vans, the Percheron retains a niche. The big equine athletes are favorites of urban carriage rental companies, Amish farmers and draft horse showmen.

Happily counted among the latter category is Fort Collins Percheron aficionado Larry Hansen, who has owned seven of the gentle giants for a couple of years. Hansen previously had Hackney ponies. Showing them was fun, he admitted, but added that a stagecoach hitch proved to be a very stressful activity. The spirited ponies constantly jumped around and fought one another.

"It was a rodeo a day," said Hansen.

Three or four years ago, he sold the lively little ponies. He now maintains his handsome Percherons, all geldings. Each standing 18 hands and weighing 2,000 to 2,500 pounds, they're a bit more than one step up from the diminutive Hackneys. They are conversely many notches down on the fiery-temperament scale.

"They're dead solid," Hansen decreed, "...never kicked, bit or anything. They're great to be around. Treat them fair, and they'll treat you fair."

Hansen treats them more than fair. Everyday someone bathes and grooms all seven horses, puts them on the hot walker and then turns them out into a pasture. They're regularly worked to keep them sharp and sound.

Hansen uses them for occasional events, such as weddings, and shows his big boys at the Denver Stock Show and other competitions all around the country. The geldings prove their breed's versatility by performing in various configurations: one-horse cart, team of two, unicorn of three, four-up and six-up. Hansen doesn't, however, follow a circuit or strive for points. This is just plain fun.

Hansen explained his training philosophy: "Work a lot with them and you get a good horse that you can do anything with. And, you have to keep them legged up and in shape."

The only caveat is perhaps a regional anomaly. Although he now has a good one, it's difficult in this part of northern Colorado to find a farrier who will work on drafts and do a proper job trimming and shoeing their huge hooves.

Hansen agrees those tremendous tootsies and the horses' grand stature can be somewhat formidable. "They don't want to hurt you, but you have to pay attention because if you don't, they can step on you," he said.

The multiple business owner sums up his avocation as a tri-fold hobby and stress outlet: "It's hard work, it's expensive, but it's so much fun!"