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The Percheron Horse did originate in the province of Le Perche, near Normandy, France. The ancestors of the modern day Percheron served as war horses carrying knights into battle instead as draft animals in the field. The Arabian horse played an important role in the early development of the Percheron, and 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 stood from 15 to 16 hands high at this time and easily adapted to pulling the heavy mail coaches of France. The demise of the carriage and coaching trade in the early 20th century saw the breed go into slow decline. However, the late 1960s saw a renaissance in the draft horse business as Americans rediscovered the usefulness of the draft horse. Today, Percherons are back on small farms and working in the fields and thousands of are used for recreation such as hayrides, sleigh rides and parades, in competition hitching, halter and riding classes at many state and local fairs across the country. WP

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