Percheron Horse: Breed Profile

Among horse breeds, the Percheron is considered a gentle giant. Once a war horse and then a powerful draft horse, today's Percheron is a popular choice for riding and dressage. Percherons are competitive on the horse pull circuit, in which teams of horses are matched against increasing weights. Moreover, they are often crossed with light horse breeds, such as thoroughbreds, to produce a sport-type riding horse.

Learn all about the Perchoron’s history, temperament, needs, and more.

Percheron History and Origins

The Percheron breed originated in the Perche province of Normandy, France. Although the exact origins are unclear, it's theorized that the earliest Percherons were bred from hardy Barb horses of the Moors and large Flemish draft breeds. To refine the breed and make it even more athletic, Arabian bloodlines were added.

The French government helped improve the Percheron in the 1800s so they could have cavalry horses. The national breeding farm, Le Pin, still breeds Percherons today, along with several other horse breeds of French origin.

The first Percherons arrived in the United States during the mid-1800s, and by the early 1900s, the Percheron was the most popular draft horse breed in the U.S. But like many other heavy working horses, they were eventually replaced by automobiles and machinery like tractors, so the number of Percherons fell. 

The Percheron Horse Association of America, which formed in 1934, serves as the breed registry in the U.S., with members in every state.

Percheron Size

Percheron horses are 15 hands (60 inches) to 19 hands (76 inches) tall, on average, and weigh 1,800 to 2,600 pounds. They are similar in size to Clydesdale horses, who are lighter and shorter. Due to their size, a Percheron will need more living space than your average horse.

In the United States, they’re generally 16 to 17 hands (64 to 68 inches), while Percherons in France can be a little smaller or larger, depending on the bloodline.

Percheron Breeding and Uses

Originally bred as war horses, Percherons today are most often seen pulling carriages, sleighs, and hayrides. Their strength and stamina also make them ideal for use in logging and on farms. These cold-blooded draft horses were bred to handle tasks like agricultural work, and can carry more than 300 pounds, so they are good for heavy riders, too.

Riders who prefer large horses often choose Percherons for their willingness and adaptability. Percherons can be ridden with Western or English saddles, and they have a captivating presence in the dressage ring.

For the timid equestrian, a steady Percheron horse can be a confidence-building ride.

Colors and Markings

Percherons can be black, gray, chestnut, bay, roan, or sorrel. French-bred Percherons are born black but their coat will become gray as they grow, and no other color is allowed in the registry. Although white markings are permitted, excess white is frowned upon.

Unique Characteristics of the Percheron

Percherons lack the heavy leg feathering of the Clydesdale and some other draft breeds, but their legs are notably muscular. The mane and the tail is usually wavy, and could also be thick.

Compared to other draft horse breeds, the Percheron is more active and energetic. They’re prized for their powerful, proud posture, along with their intelligence and eagerness to please. Plus, they are known for their stamina, and they are able to trot for many miles.

Diet and Nutrition

A Percheron typically eats more than an average-size horse. They can easily go through 30 pounds of quality hay and 5 pounds of grain in a day. Vitamin and mineral supplements might be necessary, especially if the horse can’t forage in pasture.

Common Health and Behavior Problems

Percherons are generally sound horses with minimal behavioral issues, though they are prone to certain health problems that include:

• Equine polysaccharide storage myopathy: Like many other heavy horse breeds, some Percherons might develop this disease. The muscles can’t properly store glucose, and muscle tissue becomes damaged. It’s not curable, but it can be managed with diet and exercise.
• Osteochondritis dissecans: Young Percherons might develop this painful joint condition in which cracks form in the cartilage and bone. This is often due to rapid growth and activity.

Grooming

Maintaining a regular grooming routine is crucial for Percherons, particularly in cold climates where their coats can become heavy and dense. Regular grooming helps remove dirt, debris, tangles, and loose hair.

The hair around the horse’s legs can attract bacteria, potentially causing skin inflammation and infections. Keeping this area well-groomed, clean, and dry is essential to the horse's health.

Pros of Percherons

• Eager to please
• Strong work ethic
• Friendly

Cons of Percherons

• Size can be intimidating for some riders
• Prone to a few health issues
• Can be expensive to keep and feed

Champion and Celebrity Percheron Horses

Foaled in 1823, a horse named Jean Le Blanc is considered one of the founding sires of the modern Percheron breed. All of today's Percherons can trace their bloodline to this horse.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Armour packing company was known for the yellow wagons it used to deliver goods, which were drawn by gray Percherons. Armour's horses also competed in the driving ring against top horses of the time. And a circus show featured the Armour team as a headline attraction.

Also, during the 1800s, Pabst Brewery used Percherons to power its mills and deliver beer in Chicago. The Pabst family bred its own Percherons and even competed with them at the 1904 World's Fair.

In the 1980s, the Heinz Hitch was created to honor the tradition of horse-drawn delivery. With its eight black Percherons, the hitch was a popular draw in parades and exhibitions across the U.S. After being retired in 2007, the Heinz Percherons were donated to the Army for use in ceremonies.

Is the Percheron Horse Right for You?

Because of their docile nature, Percherons can be good horses for beginner riders, many of whom might need mounting blocks to climb aboard.

Sweet, tolerant, and easygoing, these majestic horses are ideal for those who lack the experience in horse ownership that many other breeds require. They're known as easy keepers that are able to adapt to many different climates and conditions.

How to Adopt or Buy a Percheron

Percherons range from $1,000 to $10,000—the price varies based on the horse’s age, level of training, and pedigree. These horses are expensive because they’re rare.

When looking to adopt or buy a horse, aim to visit with them at the rescue or breeder before committing. Note their demeanor, and ask to see their level of training on display if possible. 

For breeders, make sure you will receive documentation on the horse’s lineage, where they were bred, and their health history. If this isn’t provided, you might not be dealing with a quality breeder. Likewise, ask a rescue organization to provide as much information as possible on the horse’s history, health, and temperament. If you don’t feel comfortable with the answers, you might want to look for another horse. 

Finally, it is highly recommended to have your veterinarian perform a pre-purchase or pre-adoption examination to determine the horse's health and suitability for their desired use.

More Horse Breeds

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Arabian horse
• Shire horse
• Clydesdale

Otherwise, you can check out all of our other horse breed profiles.