Miguel Leonis’s horse of choice was reportedly a black Percheron. Today, two Percherons call the Leonis Adobe Ranch their home. We have Merlin, who is 18, and Goliath, who is 17.
Percherons are a large draft-horse breed that originated in the Perch region of France. Originally bred as war horses, over time they were utilized for pulling stagecoaches, hauling weighty loads, and heavy farm work. They were introduced to the United States in the 1850s and played a significant role in American agriculture, serving as the work horse on most farms. Percherons are usually black or grey in color, very muscular, and are known for their intelligence and their willingness to work. In the United States, they average between 66 and 71 inches in height and can weigh from 1,900 up to 2,600 pounds.
Today, the work a draft horse would have done has been replaced by tractors, plows, cars, and other machinery. Unlike their historical counterparts, our horses get to relax and do not perform farm work.
