As far as we know today, the Canadian horse was introduced to New France in July 1665. It was King Louis XIV who sent a first shipment of twelve horses to Canada. However, it is not known from what breed these stemmed, nor from what region in France they came from. In some texts the King’s stud farm is mentioned and in others the Compagnie des Indes Occidentales had purchased the horses.



Nevertheless, what is known with certainty is that horses were shipped to the colony on a regular basis. The first horses were sent to religious communities and to gentlemen farmers eager to work the land.

Each owner was obligated, through a notarized contract, to reproduce the animals, to suitably maintain them, and give the Intendant an offspring after three years. This offspring was then given to someone else who in turn was obliged to follow the same conditions of maintenance and reproduction. In case of breach of contract, there was a provision for a 200 pound fine. It is this very regulated system of breeding which allowed for the rapid development of the breed in the new French colony.

The myth of the Canadian horse living in difficult conditions is therefore not accurate; such precious and valuable animals were not neglected.

In 1671, as New France now had an ample supply of horses, Intendant Talon reported to the King, that the shipments were no longer necessary and that there were enough for trade. From 1665 to 1763, the horse population of New France soared from twelve (12) to 14,000 animals.

To the end of the French Regime in 1760, the horses sent by France were the only ones to be raised in the colony. There was no contact with English settlements to the south as France was at war with England, prohibiting any relations.

Furthermore, the Appalachian Mountains situated between the two settlements, proved to be a formidable obstacle. There were no roads at the time, and travel was mainly by canoe or on foot. For almost 100 years, the horses were reproduced in isolation without the contribution of other bloodlines. Their common origin, the absence of cross breeding and their prolific reproduction created a specific genetic group, which gave birth this unique breed; the Canadian horse. Why Canadian. Until 1867, the date of Confederation, the name "Canadian" meant Francophone only. Since the Canadian horse was of French origin and had spread in great numbers, beginning in the Saint Lawrence Valley, it was a natural as "Canadian". Eight years later, in 1895, the Canadian Horse Breeders Association was founded. In 1999, the Quebec Government designated the Canadian Horse as a Quebec Heritage Horse, and in April 2002, the Canadian Government recognized the breed as the National horse of Canada.

THE CANADIAN HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCATION (CHBA)

The CHBA operates under a federal charter and was incorporated under the Law on Animal Genealogy. Their mandate is to watch over registration, identification and record keeping for the Canadian horse studbook. The CHBA monitors the registration of all pure bred Canadian horses. To register a horse, one must be a member of the CHBA. There are five districts (see information below).

The Canadian horse is either black, chestnut, or bay. The stallion’s weight varies between 1050 and 1350 pounds. The mare’s weight varies between 1000 and 1250 pounds.

The ideal Canadian horse will have a rather short, straight chiseled rectangular head, attached high, with a wide flat forehead and nose bridge, large nostrils, a quick and lively eyes, a small mouth, solid jaws and large, but not fat cheeks. The neck will be almost straight, thin at the front and muscular at the sides. The mane and tail are long and thick, the withers low, and with long sloping shoulders. The chest must be large and protruding, the breast ample and the belly large without sagging. The back and loins should be short, strong and straight and of average width. The croup is long, muscular and slightly inclines. The pasterns are of average length and properly sloped. The hooves are very resilient.

A more detailed description of the conformation of the Canadian horse can also be found in the "Book on Genealogy for the Canadian Equine" breed. There is also a point system for each part of the horse; the point system could be contested, but the description of the conformation still holds, even though today’s tendency is towards a larger, more refined, horse. It is the same description that was adopted at the Canadian Horse Breeders Association Annual General Meeting in 2001.

On page XXV of Volume 1, the preferred height is described as five feet, one inch (15.1 hands) to five feet, three inches (15.3 hands). In subjects of exceptional quality, a height of five feet, four inches (16 hands) is permitted.

The acquisition of a horse is often the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, however this purchase should be made by taking a few precautionary measures, and by following a few guidelines. First, ask yourself some questions and answer them honestly. The outcome will lead you to make sound decisions and choices.

First Question: Do I have enough time? On average between 7 and 10 hours a week is required to look after and enjoy the horse. Second Question: Will I keep the horse at home or will it be boarded? Accommodations costs start at about $2000 per year, not including veterinary fees, de-worm treatments, and furrier costs.

Once you have answered these questions, the next step is to determine what you wish to do with your horse, and whether you prefer a mare, a gelding (castrated horse), a stallion, a trained horse, or an unbroken horse (untrained). If you are not knowledgeable about horses, take along an expert. There must certainly be someone in your area with the expertise who would be pleased to accompany you. The cost will be well worth the pleasure you will experience at riding a horse that suits you. The ideal first time purchase should be a well-trained horse that will willingly guide you through your own apprenticeship. Forget the beautiful black spirited stallion or the pretty lively filly, they would only frustrate you, go slowly one step at a time. A bit of advice; deal with serious breeders who specialize in the Canadian horse, and look at many horses before making a decision.

The next step is the visit; make an appointment with the breeder, letting him know exactly what type of horse you are looking for and what your intended purpose will be. Be prompt and make sure that you have sufficient time to examine the animal accompanied by your expert trainer. A serious breeder will take your specifications into consideration. The presentation area must be tidy, well lit, and the animal must be well- groomed, calm, hooves cleaned and trimmed. Observe its character as well as its physique. Confidence in the horse will help develop a good relationship.

Ask the breeder to show you what the horse knows how to do, whether saddle or harness. Watch the horse when it is halted, moving, trotting and cantering. When at a stand still, a well-trained horse will only move when asked to do so. During the three gaits (walk, trot, and canter) you should note its gracefulness and detect if any lameness occurs.

Next, with the horse stationary, stand parallel to it, one side at the time, and draw an imaginary line from the shoulder down through the centre of the legs to the ground, then repeat from the front of the animal and then again from the back. Imagine a cube with the horse standing inside. If your imaginary box corresponds to the Canadian’s lines, then it is straight. But be aware, there are no perfect horses. You may be forced to accept a compromise either in its size, colour, or other aspects of its physique or character. But always remember, POOR HOOF, POOR HORSE. If the horse interests you, and your expert/trainer agrees on its suitability, go ahead and ask to see the horse worked under saddle. Then try riding the horse yourself (remember to wear a riding helmet). After consulting with your expert and making a choice, take a day or two to reflect on your decision. At this time it is wise to have a veterinarian examine the horse, especially if one hopes to use it for breeding or competition purposes.

Registrations, transfers, certificates, Genotype DNA testing, implants and genealogy books have all been entrusted to the care of the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation by the CHBA. All Canadian horses must be registered. The registration is the horse’s birth certificate and proves that it is pure bred. As of January 2002, no registration certification is issued by the CLRC without Genotype DNA testing of the sire, dam and offspring. When purchasing a pure bred horse (Canadian or otherwise) a registration certificate is a required document and the buyer should make the receipt of the certificate a condition of sale.

Courtesy of www.horseandcountry.net.