CHAPTER V.
ENDURANCE OF THE PERCHERON HORSE.
A gray mare bred by M. Beaulavoris, at Almenesches, (Orne), in 1845, belonging to M. Montreuil, horse dealer at Alençon, performed the following match:—Harnessed to a traveling-tilbury, she started from Bernay at the same time as the mail courier from Rouen to Bordeaux, and arrived before it at Alençon, having made 55⅗ miles over a hilly and difficult road, in 4 hours and 24 minutes.
This mare is still living, and now belongs to M. Buisson, hotel keeper at the sign of the White Horse, at Lées, (Orne), where she still draws the omnibus plying between the railroad station and the hotel.
A gray mare 7 years old, belonging to M. Consturier, of Fleury-sur-Andelle, (Eure), in 1864, harnessed to a tilbury, travelled 58 miles and back on two consecutive days, going at a trot and without being touched with the whip. This was over the road from Lyons-la-Foret from Pont Audemer, and back, a difficult and hilly way. The following time was made: The first day the distance was trotted in 4 hours, 1 minute, and 35 seconds; the second day, in 4 hours, 1 minute, and 30 seconds. The 13¾ last miles were made in one hour, although at about the 41st mile the mare was obliged to pass her stable to finish the distance.