Horse breed guide

Percheron

Origin: Perche region, France

Quick facts

Origin

Perche region, France

Height

15.2–19.0 hh

Weight

850–1200 kg

Lifespan

25–30 yrs

Colors

Black or grey (only colors registered in France)

Primary uses

Driving, agriculture, logging, riding, sport horse breeding

About the Percheron

Calm, intelligent, and willing. Percherons are draft horses with notable elegance and athleticism — they cross well with light breeds for sport horse production. Easy to handle and forgiving.

Feeding & nutrition

High forage volume (50–80 lb/day). Low-starch, fat-supplemented if PSSM-positive.

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Health watch-outs

PSSM, shivers, JEB (junctional epidermolysis bullosa — recessive lethal; test breeding stock). Melanomas in greys.

Care tips

Cleaner-legged than most drafts — less feathering, easier daily care.

Joint maintenance critical from age 10 onward — consider supplements proactively.

Massive feet; farrier visits every 5–6 weeks with a draft-experienced farrier.

Watch for shivers and PSSM in lines with heavy muscling.

Related breeds

Track your Percheron with HorseCare

Health records, training, and forage-first nutrition — plus a scan that fits this breed. 5 free scans this month, then Pro.

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