I know and watched Dick and Lollie Ames, both now deceased, show Arabian horses in Scottsdale and the Percheron at the National Western Stockshow in Denver. They always had the finest horses in both breeds. Ames Construction was and still is a huge benefactor for National Western Stockshow
My horse as a kid was a freckled grey perch X quarter horse mix. Best horse that you could ever want. She raised me it seems! We just loved each other… spent every spare moment I could get with her for years! Best babysitter and best friend for me… I miss her♥️🥰
Absolutely. Belgians are considered the strongest, and best pulling horses, but there is something about Percherons that just strikes me. They are big, grand, beautiful, noble beasts. Belgians are handsome in their way, but to me they're more utilitarian where Percherons are a step up, more grand, and what draft horses should be. It's something in the way they look, or move, or something. To see a six- or eight-horse hitch of Percherons in a parade, as their hooves hit the pavement and shake the ground, is awe-inspiring. Such power and majesty controlled by a few leather straps and a skilled driver. It's just wonderful. Tell ya what, the Belgians can pull the wagon to bring feed to the Percherons. :-)
I've known two Percherons, both wonderful geldings. In my dreams I am able to find the younger one and get him back from the Amish, if he hasn't gone to the meat truck. Both were black horses, the one I would like to get had his tail, it wasn't cut off.
While I enjoy the show , I wish more emphasis would be put on everyday draft horses that work and live lives on the farms and do state fair type pulls. It seems as though most the shows are about the elite super rich who show off at grand galas and exclusive country club type events. Those are OK occasionally, but more shows on the common people that love, care for and show their wonderful majestic animals.
It's utterly disgusting how Americans artificaily modify the Percherons feet for showing to get an artificial knee movement totaly foreign to the breed. This is abusive, all foot and shoe modifictions to enhance movement should be banned as in the rest of the civilised world..
