The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-02-18
THE NORMAN HORSE.
Paper Read Before the Stock Breeders As
ISOLATION by Maj. J. B. Stacy.

}
in my feeble way to present to yo
some facts connected with tina
class of that noble breed of animal
designated as the draft horse ant
upon which man is probably NOR
Deepen dent for assistance than upol
any other distinct class, for he tru
ly is friend in time of need. M,
remarks will be confined particular
! ly to that class of horses designat
ed as the Norman Percheron, anc
| by some as the Percheron- MOI man
and in doing this you will pardon
me for drawing largely from the ex
perience and information of others
more than combining myself to my
own experience and observation.
1t is disputed question among
men who seem familiar with this
particular animal, and with some
good reasoning on the side of each,
as to the origin and proper designa-
tion Of this horse. While one par
ty claims that there is no such
horse as that designated as the
Norman horse and that the proper
and only name applicable to this
class of horses is Percheron, yet
others claim, to my mind with a
setter foundation upon which to
rest their claim, that the designa-
tion of Percheron Norman as appli-
ed to the Norman is only known in
America, and that no such designa-
ton is made in the country where
they originated.
You are all aware of the fact that
this class of horse is peculiar to the
country now known as the Repub-
lie of France, and it is asserted
and by seemingly good authority
that the ancient race of heavy hor-
ses known for ages throughout the
world as Norman horses originated
in that country known as Norman
dy during the days when chivalry
fourished and the iron clad Norman
Knights welded the heavy javeliH
and the pondercus battle axe. This
particular horse was the result of
cross between the heavy grey horse
of Lombardy of Persian descent
and the Black Vandal which was
the native stock of the north of
France and the Netherlands. This |
class under a favorable and iudi- !
cious system of breeding and the
influence of the fine climate and |
rich productive soil of Normandy
a race of heavy horses
that have since been the pride Of
France and the envy of other ma
lions.
For many years during the reign
Of Norman kings these mighty
horses were used for war purposes
alone. After, however, the inven-
ion of gun powder and the intro
luction of fire arms which took the
place of the spear and battle axe,
he necessity for this great horse
or that purpose was at an end. The
demands of war, however, had Gre
tied in this horse the qualities that
,minently fitted him for agricultur-
Il purposes and as early as the four
zenith century he became an agri-
horse and has held that po-
ition from that time to this with
Ionor to himself and great relief to
hose with whom he has been asso-
iated.
Agriculture in France advanced
nth civilization and as the inhabi-
ants began to turn their attention
o the cultivation of the soil they
naturally looked to Normandy for
heir supply of horses, and in this
Vay the old Norman horse became
catered throughout the different
departments of France and LAID the
oundation for all the families of
raft horses. Notwithstanding this
act, the draft horse has not retain
d the name of his ancestor, but In
tead there has been adopted for
i'm a name peculiar to the particu
ar locality in which he is raised or
wned. Such is the case in Perch
7here they are called Percherons
egardless of where they are raised.
This name of Percheron seems COM
,aratively of recent date, for as late
s 1910 the demand for stage, coach
nd omnibus horses created among
be farmers of Perch an interest in
he production of this class of stock,
hey previous to this having de-
ended almost exclusively upon the
ken in their agricultural pursuits.
these people by cross of the Bon
aunais and the draft horse of Brit
any originated a class of horses
which for the stage, coach and ON
ibus had never been excelled. The
otoriety which they acquired un-
er this name established this as
he name for all coach and omnibus
orses throughout France, and es
,ecially in Paris, where all omnibus
orses are called Percherons re-
.ardless of where they were bred
r raised.
When the opening of railroads in
rance superseded the stage, coach
nd omnibus lines and the necessi s
Y for this particular horse ceased
nd the change produced demand
or a heavier class of horses, the {
armers of Perch engaged In horse
aisino turned their attention to
the wants of the times {
nd by a constant mixture with s
eavier animals of the Norman fam '
ly the Percheron type rapidly dis (
ppeared and the draft horse now |
oming from Perch are Percherons I
My in name and Normans in Feali- I
Y. 1t is claimed to be impossible (
o distinguish between the draft t
lorse found in Perch, Brittany, |
Saulogne and Normandy, being
like in form and character arising l
rom a general exchange of draft !
orse in all the departments of '
and it is said to be often t
he case that colts bred in one de- I
,artment are raised in another and I
Then matured are taken to another
or sale. 1t Is stated with some
olor of truth that there are three
ines as many horses sold in Perch +,
g there are Percherons raised ,
here. It is claimed that the Nor /