The Percheron horse

"The Percheron Horse" by Charles Du Hays is a scientific exploration from the late 1800s into the world of Percheron horses, providing a comprehensive look at their traits, how they're bred, and their place in history. The book is geared towards those who love horses, breeders, and people curious about progress in agriculture, highlighting what makes the Percheron special as a work horse. Right from the start, the book emphasizes the Percheron's importance and its key features like power, gentleness, and ability to handle tough jobs, describing the horse’s usual gray color and balanced build, which help it last and perform well. As Du Hays points out the risks to the breed from popularity and mixing with other types of horses, he pushes for careful breeding to keep the Percheron strong and useful. The initial parts of the book paint a picture of where the Percheron comes from, signaling its history and possible changes in the way they're bred.