The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-04-08
Farm and Home.
AND USEFUL INFORMATION.
Parcharon Horses.

The Pereheron horse is undoub
eddy the most symmetrical an
powerful for bis size, and possesst
the finest action and greatest eI
DURANGO of all the large breeds
Europe. His general type is ais
the most ancient of any of whic
we have record or tradition, an
this is the principal reason why
is more prepOtent than others /
transmitting his superior qualitie
TO his offspring.
Tradition asserts that the frs
great Improvement in refining tn
large horses Of France was made b
Barb stations captured from th
Moors. In 73I they crossed tn
Pyreuees from Spain to Franc
with a countless cavalry host, LEI
by the fiery Add er-Rahman. Tn
following year they advanced TO tn
broad plains between Tours ant
Poitiers. Here they were met b,
the sturdy Charles Martel, vel
surnamed the Hammer" at tn,
head of his French horse, which be
ing of so much heavier weight thar
those of the Moors, he was able t.
ride down the latter in repeated
charges, and thus completely over
whelmed them. Thousands of thes,
fine Barb stations were then cap
tured flor the Moors rode such on
ly, and never mares }, and distrib
uted them among the French sold
Iers, who on returning to theil
farms bred them to their own large
native mares, The best and mos
uniform of this produce were Their
selected and coupled among them
selves, the result of which, together
with other well made crosses from
time to time since that period
gives US the improved Percherons
of the present day.
A modern Percheron horse is de-
scribed as follows:
Head clean, bony, and small for
the size of the animal; ears short,
mobile, erect, and fine pointed
eyes bright, clear, large, and promi
nent; forehead broad nostrils large,
open, and bright red within; jaws
rather wide; chin fine; lips thin
teeth sound and even.
Neck a trife short, yet harmoni-
ously rounding to the body; throt-
tie clean; crest rigid, rather high
and gracefully curved; name abun-
dant. with silky hair.
Breast broad and deep, with great
muscular development; shoulders
smooth and sufficiently sloping for
the collar TO set snug to them; with
er high, back short and strongly
coupled, body well ribbed up,
round, full and straight on the bel
ly, which is much longer than the
back; rump broad, long, and moder-
ately slipping TO the tail, which is
attached high; hips round and
smooth at top, and fiat on the sides;
quarters wide, well let down, and
swelling with powerful muscles.
Dock strong; tail long, heavy,
and gracefully hanging out from
the Group when the animal is in full
Legs fiat and wide, standing
square and firm, and well under the
body, with hard, clean bones, and
strong joints, cords and
,elldons; short from hooks and
knees down; pasterns upright; fet-
ocks thin; .hoofs full size, solid,
open, tough, and well set up at the
reels.
Height fifteen to sixteen and a
half hands; weight 1900 to LOO
pounds.
Color various as with other hors-
IS; but a clear daI pie gray is pre-
erred, as the best of the original
breed were thus marked.
Action bold, square, free and
.asy, neither foreresching nor in
erfering; the walk four to five
niles per hour, the trot six to eight,
IN dry and moderately level road,
nut capable of being pushed much
aster on the latter gait when re-
Iuired.
Temper kind; disposition docile,
,ut energetic and vigorous; hardy,
nduring, and long lived; preco-
ious; able to be put to light work
t eighteen to twenty-four months |
Id; possessing immense power for |
is size; never baking or refusing
o draw at the most dread pull; !
tylIshp elegant, and attractive in
ppearance; easy, elastic, and grace
III IN motion.
No tendency to disease Of any
ort, and especially free from dis
asses Of the legs and feet, such as
pawn. splint, ring-bone, grease
nd founder.
An easy keeper and quick feeder.