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Canadian Horse |
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Canadian Horse |
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Information on the horses used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is hard to obtain, but the Canadian Horse and its versitality is the most likely candidate and fits all the descriptions and pictures I have ever seen on the mount of the Canadian Police.
This little known Canadian national treasure descended from horses sent to America in the late 1600s by King Louis XIV of France. The first horses were unloaded on June 25, 1647 in Quebec and were believed to be of Arab, Andalusian, Barb, Breton, and Anglo-Norman stock from Normandy and Brittany. The traits of these influences can still be seen in the breed today. Without outside influence from other breeds, a new and distinct breed developed, known as the Canadian Horse or Cheval Canadien. Natural selection resulted in a small, sturdy horse able to withstand the harsh winter weather. Due to its evolution under such harsh conditions as scarcity of food, inclemant weather, and hard working, the Canadian became known as "The Little Iron Horse."
Since these horses were easy-keepers, they became popular among the local farmers and their numbers rose to 150,00 by the mid-1800s. The Canadian could then be found throughout Canada and The United States. As a result, the Canadian came to influence the breeding stock of American bloodlines and may have contributed to such breeds as Morgan, Standardbred, Saddlebred, and Tennessee Walking Horse.
Exported to the West Indies for use on sugar plantations and on stage lines, the Canadian also became popular as a war mount and was exported for use in the American Civil War and the Boer War. Due to the increase in exportation and the advent of mechanization, numbers decreased rapidly and the Canadian was in danger of extinction. Fewer than 400 horses were in existence during the 1960s and 70s, and up to 20 registrations were recorded in the Stud Book annually.
The Stud Book was opened in 1886 and the Canadian Horse Breeders Association was formed in 1895 following the efforts of concerned admirers as Dr. J.A. Couture, DVM, banded together to attempt to preserve the remnants of this breed. After the Association was formed there came a renewed interest in the breed, and in 1907 a new stud book with improved standards was opened under the leadership of Dr. J.G. Rutherford, livestock commissioner for the Federal Government.
A breeding program was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture at Cap Rouge, Quebec in 1913. This stud farm produced one of the foundation sires, Albert De Cap Rouge. Other breeding programs were established at St. Joachim and La Gorgendiere in Quebec. By the late 1970’s, the peril of this national breed of Canada was finally recognized. Dilligent breeders began making efforts to attempt to preserve and promote the breed and keep it from extinction. Today the registered horses number over 2,500, though the breed is still listed as "critical" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy list.
The Canadian is used as a general utility horse and has been used for plowing, riding, and as a carriage horse. It was used as such since the establishment of New France. It has qualities of strength, willingness, and frugality, which made it desirable for breeding. A long-lived breed, the Canadian is still useful at advanced ages, and the extaordinarily fertile mares may produce foals until they are 20 or more years of age.
The Canadian Horse is described by the historian Taillon as:
"Small, but robust, hocks of steel, thick mane floating in the wind, bright and lively eyes, pricking its sensitive ears at the least noise, going along day and night with the same courage, wide awake beneath its harness; spirited, good, gentle, affectionate, following his road with the finest instinct to come surely home to his own stable. Such were the horses of our fathers."
Standing 14 to 16 hands high, the Canadian is most frequently black, but may be bay, dark brown or chestnut. Stallions usually weigh between 1050 and 1350 pounds and mares between 1000 and 1250. The head is described as "finely-chiseled," and its neck is arched with a thick, long, wavy mane -- details which, along with the thick wavy tail, are reminiscent of Barb and Andalusian ancestry. The Canadian's head has an intelligent and spirited expression, without excess nervousness. Its body is well-proportioned, with strong limbs sturdy well-set with high-quality bones and feet. The short cannon bones often are larger than 9" in circumference, and its forearms and gaskins are espcially well-muscled. The exceptionally well-formed and tough hooves generally require a bit more than routine trimming.
This sensible and kind horse is sociable, intelligent, willing to please, and very easy to handle. Exhibiting physical strength and docility, The Canadian is ideal for farm work, driving, riding, hunting, jumping, packing, and endurance riding. This breed is versatile and performs well in all equestrian disciplines, and its willing and even temperament and adaptability make it suitable for competition, working or as a family horse.
Breed Standard
Evaluation of type
Sources:
Visit the Oklahoma State University website or e-mail either of these contributors for more information on the Canadian Horse.
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© 1997-2018 NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/3/2018 |
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