Canadian Horse

Although rare and somewhat unknown, the Canadian Horse has influenced many other North American breeds, including the Morgan, American Saddlebred, and Standardbred. Although there have been several times when the breed almost went extinct, the Canadian Horse has enthusiasts within and outside of Canada.

The Canadian Horse gave rise to the Canadian Pacer, which has had a profound impact on many of the gaited breeds of today.

Breed characteristics
The old-style Canadian Horse resembles the Morgan. It is very compact and stout, muscular, with a crested neck. The Canadian Horse is sound, with hard feet, with animated gaits, and is extremely hardy with great powers of endurance. They are willing horses, and easy keepers.

Most Canadian Horses are bay or brown, although other colors exist, and they stand between 14.3-16.2hh. Laurent De Cap Rouge.

History of the Canadian Horse
The Canadian Horse descended from the French stock Louis XIV sent to Canada in the late 17th century. His goal was to develop a breeding program in the colony, but only 2 stallions and 12 mares survived the difficult sea journey made in 1665. Louis sent two more shipments, bringing the total number of horses to more than 40. Most were Breton or Norman in breeding, but some included Andalusian blood.

The horses were leased to farmers for money or in exchange for a foal (although they remained the property of the king for three years). In 1679, there were 145 horses. In 1696, the number of horses in the colony had tripled. The Friesian blood was added to the French-Canadian horses in the late 17th and early 18th century, adding trotting ability and feathering to the legs. Breeders bred different types to meet the individual needs (one type was the Canadian Pacer.

The horses thrived despite the harsh conditions, including little food, poor shelter, hard work, and bad roads. Many of the horses were exported to the West Indies and the USA, influencing the breeds in those areas.

In the early 19th century, thousands of horses were exported to America, who needed to meet the growing demand for roadsters. Unfortunately, this lead to a drop of the breed in Canada in the 1870s, and the stud book was opened in 1886 to preserve the breed and prevent possible extinction. The Canadian Horse Breeders' Association was formed in 1895. Soon, the numbers increased.

In 1913, the government began a breeding center in Cap Rouge, Quebec, which had to be closed in 1940 due to World War II. However, the government tried again years later, in Deschambault. They worked to breed a taller, more refined horse, who would be suitable as a hunter or jumper. Other breeders worked to preserve the original type.

Unfortunately, yet again, the breeding program did not work out, and the Deschambault herd was sold at auction in 1979. The breed was in danger of disappearing for a second time, with less than 400 horses in the breed register. However, dedicated breeders rescued the Canadian Horse. There are now more than 4000 horses registered.

Uses of the Canadian Horse
Today, the Canadian Horse is mainly bred for driving, at which they excel. They are also good all-rounders, competing in dressage, jumping, ranch work, and long-distance riding.