Historic Tours, Romantic Rides & Transportation Services Austin's Original Horse Drawn Carriages Since 1986 8413 FM 973 Austin, TX 78719 (512) 243-0044 AustinCarriage@gmail.com

Percheron Horses
See pictures of our horses below.

The Percheron Horse originated in the province of Le Perche, near Normandy in France. It is widely believed that the Arabian horse played an important role in the development of the Percheron. By the time of the crusades, the Percheron Breed was widely recognized as outstanding for his substance and soundness, as well as for his characteristic beauty and style.

By the 17th century horses produced in Le Perche had attained widespread notoriety and were in demand for many different uses. The Percheron of this time showed less scale and easily adapted to pulling the heavy mail coaches of France. He stood from 15 to 16 hands high at this time.

In the early 19th century the French government established a stud at Le Pin for the development of army mounts. In 1823, a horse named JEAN LE BLANC was foaled in Le Perche and all of today's Percheron bloodlines trace directly to this horse.

Percherons were first imported to the United States in 1839, by Edward Harris of Moorestown, New Jersey. The stallions, NORMANDY and LOUIS NAPOLEON, were imported to Ohio in 1851. LOUIS NAPOLEON was later sold into Illinois and wound up in the hands of the Dillon family who were instrumental in forming the Percheron Association.

Thousands of Percherons were imported to Americans in the last half of the 19th century, and importations continued up until World War II. The Percheron quickly became the favorite of both the American farmer and the teamster who would move freight on the nation's city streets. The Percheron was so popular that by 1930, the government census showed that they were three times as many registered Percherons as the other four draft breeds combined.

Following World War II the invention of the modern farm tractor made the breed nearly extinct. As America modernized and mechanized, the Percheron was all but forgotten. However, a handful of farmers including many Amish, dedicated to the preservation of the breed, kept it alive through the next twenty years of the draft horse depression which lasted through the 1950s and 1960s.

The late 1960s saw a renaissance in the draft horse business as Americans rediscovered the usefulness of the draft horse. Percherons are now back on small farms and working in the fields and thousands of Percherons are used for recreation such as hayrides, sleigh rides and parades.

Percherons are shown in competition hitching, halter and riding classes at many state and local fairs across the country. They are also used in advertising and the promotion of other businesses. They are a common sight on many city streets as the carriage business flourishes in the tourist areas of many of our major cities.

	McMillan " Macaroni " #248135 is an own son of McGee 254510. He is a gray Percheron stallion standing 17.2 hh and weighs about 1850 pounds.
	Fred is a handsome black Percheron gelding. He is 17.2hh and weighs around 1850 pounds.
	Barney whose nickname is " B," is a chocolate brown Percheron gelding. He stands 16.2 hh and weights around 1750 pounds with a broad, stocky build.
	Gibson " Gib " is a 17 hh, 1850 pound, June '89 gray Percheron gelding.
	Jake also known as " Jakers "  is a Percheron gelding that stands at 17 hh. He will weigh about 1700 pounds. For now Jake's coat is black, but he is slowly transforming into a gray due to his genetic makeup. It is especially apparent in his face and tail. The rest of his coat is starting to gray out quickly.
	Rowdy " Row " is a black Percheron gelding. He will mature to 17+hh and 1800 pounds. He is black with the same star on his forehead as Fred.
	Dan " D" is the only different breed in the group. He is a blond sorrel Belgian draft, 17.2hh and 1850 pounds.
	Sonny  is a blond Belgian draft, 18.2 hh and weighs about 1950 pounds.
	Clay is a red Belgian draft, 18.2 hh and weights about 1950 pounds.

Give us a call at (512) 243-0044 or send us email. We will be delighted to discuss our services, schedules, and prices.

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