Early Records 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s

The period leading up to the 1880's, was a time of great export from France. It included both diligence (carriage horses) as well as the heavy horses becoming popular for farm use. Note how thoroughly modern some of the diligence type were. Many of these horses had long necks, thin bone, nice foot and overall refinement. Many of these early American horses were imported by General W.T. Walters, of Baltimore. His early forsight of the Percheron as a carriage and hitch animal is truly visionary and some of these horses would probably hold their own in the show ring today.

Morock, Percheron Stallion imported by General W.T. Walters in 1868 Walters lived in France for an extended period (refuging from the Civil War with his family) and became obsessed with Percherons for their versatillity. He prefered the diligence (lighter boned, carriage horses) type of Percherons, particular greys. When he moved back to Baltimore, he was often seen driven in his platform spring wagon or double carriage by a coachman and a team of grey mares. Note the open hoof bulb on this animal, well shown on the right back hoof.

Hercules, Percheron stallion imported by General W.T. Walters in 1868. Note the long neck and well set shoulder of this animal as well as the long pasterns.

Four-up of mares (Jaqueline, Topsy, Belle, and Alene, imported in 1868 by General Walters.

Percheron mares, Prude and Sue, imported in 1878 by W.T. Walters.

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These Percheron stallions are from the French Goverment Stud (Le Haras du Pin) sometime in the mid-nineteenth century. The details of the photo or the animals are not known. Notice the tight hind-quarters , long necks, flat bone and large hoof. These are horses that look very modern and would do well in the show ring today! As noted by James Sanders, founder of the American Percheron Stud book, Percherons of this era were heterozogous in height.

The most famous early import maybe Napoleon. The use of horses for plowing was relatively new at this time and Napoleon was the type that farmers were looking for. He was imported with Bill in 1851. Napoleon begot approximately 400 foals and there was great demand for his services. Unfortunately, not a single foal of his was out of a purebred mare in the United States. His bloodlines were preserved in France and related animals were later imported into the USA. James Sanders, the founder of the American Stud book, remarked on Napoleon upon viewing directly after his arrival from France was that he was "a grey three year old, but not of the largest type, short-legged, closely ribbed, blocky, and compact, with a neck rather short and a head a little too large for elegance, but withal clearly cut, about 15.2 hands high, and weighing, in full flesh, about 1,600 pounds." This quote is fascinating, as it pretty much sums up a more modern description on this animal, over 150 years later!

Normandy, also known as Pleasant Valley Bill. This horse was known as a diligence type of Percheron (as described on his shipping papers) Imported in 1851 and owned by T.L. Bigelow, Columbus, Ohio.

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Below: A few images from France prior to the official designation and registry of the breed. Note the massive chest and hind-quarters, well-sprun ribs, head-set, and large foot on some of these animals.

Drawing by Paul Potter, titled: "A Great Horse." Dated around 1652.

Reproduced from Sir John Froissart's "Chronicles of England, France and Spain," depicting a war horse of the middle ages. Dated fourteenth century.