Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« This volume has been compiled in response to a wide- spread demand for information touching the origin, evolution, development and distribution of the modern heavy draft type of Percheron horses. It was under-taken originally by Mr. Sanders as individual research work along lines similar to his wellknown histories of the Shorthorn and Hereford breeds of cattle, but press of work incidental to the conduct of The Breeder’s Gazette made it necessary that assistance be secured in tracing the long story beginning with the early days in the Perche, and ending with the Chicago International Live Stock Exposition of 1916.
A determined effort has been made to throw new light upon the foundation history of the type in the Perche itself. Mr. John Ashton, Continental European correspondent of The Breeder’s Gazette , was commissioned by Mr Sanders to search French agricultural literature from the earliest periods for references to the Percheron horse, and if possible secure permission from the French authorities to examine all books, records and documents contained in the Government archives at Paris, including the official entries detailing the registration and inspection of stallions bought for the Government stud at le Pin, together with lists of stallions officially approved and subsidized by the Government prior to the Stud Book period for service in the region in which the modern Percheron was evolved.
Fortunately this extensive and painstaking inquiry met with the hearty cooperation of French librarians and the Ministry of Agriculture, every facility being extended, even to the point of permission to photograph original entries of great historical importance. The condensed results of months of patient investigation along this line are presented in this volume; and it is confidently believed that this portion of the work constitutes one of the most valuable contributions made in many years to the history of any of the existing improved breeds of live stock. It is demonstrated that the Percheron horse has existed as a distinct type from very ancient times, and that much that has been accepted — on insufficient evidence — in the past relating to the development of the breed since the beginning of the nineteenth century must now be discarded as mere tradition.
The facts, brought to light here for the first time, seem to contradict flatly the part so long alleged to have been played by Arabian blood in the production of the latter-day Percheron; and while this diligent study of old records — apparently never heretofore examined by those assuming to write early Percheron history — may be regarded as destructive to that extent in its operation, the student will not fail to note that in place of what now goes by the board as unsubstantiated there is supplied a complete, constructive, tangible, authentic official set of facts that place underneath the foundations of the Percheron Stud Book of France the solid rock of verified Government records, indisputable and convincing. If any doubt has heretofore existed as to when, where and by whom the increase in weight of the Percheron horse was undertaken, such questions need no longer be raised.
This portion of the story should be of absorbing interest to all students of the development of Percheron types, and represents a sincere and exhaustive effort to get at the truth regardless of what the facts might show. Breeders and owners of Percheron horses not only in America, but in France as well, will no doubt welcome the results of this study. Mr. Sanders’ own personal recollections of the American Percheron trade go back to his boyhood days on an Iowa farm, his father, the late James H. Sanders, having been one of the earliest introducers of the blood in the trans-Mississippi country, and subsequently compiling the initial volumes of the Percheron Stud Book of America. In the work of gathering material for the early American period the aid of the late James H. S. Johnstone, author of The Horse Book , was asked and obtained, many interesting facts relating to the pioneer breeders, importers and equine celebrities of the old days being developed as a result of extended traveling in various parts of the United States.
As the present day was approached the services of Mr. Wayne Dinsmore, Secretary of the Percheron Society of America, were invoked, and with the permission of the directors of that organization he utilized the records and the facilities of his office to collect, analyze and arrange a great mass of important and interesting data detailing the wide expansion of Percheron breeding in America during the past forty years.
It will of course be understood that this work is compiled primarily for the benefit of American readers. Consequently the details of French production since the establishment of the Percheron Stud Book of France in 1883 have not been extensively discussed. The authors are aware that their work is by no means perfect. Errors of omission and commission are bound to creep into any volume of this sort, involving as it does explorations in new fields, and the handling of an almost bewildering array of names and figures. It has been the intent and purpose throughout, however, to present the facts exactly as found; and if the work shall be regarded as adding somewhat to the general store of knowledge concerning the most popular draft horse type in North America, the compilers and publishers will be pleased and gratified. » Présentation de l’éditeur (1917)