Intro
A draft breed from the north of France, the Trait du Maine Horse comes from the Maine region. While they were officially recognized as a breed, they are essentially a strain of Percheron.
Origins
Established in the late 19th century using a foundation of mares from Mayenne crossed with Percheron stallions. The Percheron studbook would not accept animals from outside the Perche region, so a Trait du Maine studbook was established in 1926. For the most part breeding was for export to agricultural regions of neighboring countries.
In 1966 their studbook was absorbed by the Percheron breed, essentially breeding them into ‘administrative’ extinction as a distinct breed. While they physically resembled the Percheron, they wree smaller and stockier on the whole, built specifically for draft and agricultural work.
Features
Average height 15.7-16.7 hands
Physique
Head is long with a straight profile
Forehead is wide and flat
Ears are thin and well set
Neck is long and muscular
Shoulders are long
Chest is wide and deep
Back is short
Hindquarters are broad
Legs are short with light feathering
Traditional Colors
The preferred color was black, but they could also be grey
Temperament
Gentle and quiet
Use
Transportation
Draft
Agriculture
Military
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