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Chronicle of a Rare Breed of Horse
by Karen Lobdell
Members of the Société Des Éleveurs De Chevaux Canadiens (The Canadian Horse Breeder's Association) have diligently and persistently pursued their goal to preserve a rare breed of horse, 'Le Cheval Canadien' (The Canadian Horse), over the past 100 years. A lengthy period that surpasses most of our life spans. Yet, such a short period in comparison to the history of our world. A world where Les Chevaux Canadiens, as all living things, must establish a purpose in order to ensure their very existence.
The breed standard describes black, dark brown, bay or chestnut horses of 14 to 16 hands weighing 1100-1400 lbs.. However, some registered Canadian Horses are a bit taller than 16 hands and weigh nearly1500lbs. Their heads are rectangular with soft, expressive eyes, solid jaws and small muzzles. Manes and tails are long, thick and wavy and feathers at the fetlock are common. Their chests and hindquarters are well developed and supported by legs of substantial bone. Their large, strong feet seem to disguise iron springs creating the impressive light movement characteristic of this breed.
Approximately 3000 registered Les Chevaux Canadiens are alive today. Most are located in Quebec, but several can be found throughout Canada. Few Canadian Horses are located in the United States. However, U.S. enthusiasts are increasing, due in a large part, to the internet community of our technological age.
The statistics confirm the presence of Les Chevaux Canadiens in today's world, but more are needed to assure the future prosperity of this breed. Conscientious, competent breeders must continue to pursue this breed's preservation. The potential of more Americans contributing to the breeding of this unusual horse is fast becoming a reality with the increasing presence of Canadian Horses in the United States.
Absolute preservation of this breed is contingent on the breeders' ability to identify a purpose for the existence of this particular horse in our changing world. Breeders of Les Chevaux Canadiens have declared throughout history that their horses possess the qualities many equestrians desire. The conformation, which gives this horse its ability to move with grace and beauty in a variety of disciplines, along with their intelligence and quiet temperament, which contributes to their compliant nature, are characteristics breeders have consistently noticed equestrians value.
History denotes how the conditions of the times have determined what type of horses were bred by the people who shared their lives with them. The first domesticated horses were a utilitarian type, hardy and strong with quiet, trainable temperaments. There is also early evidence depicting a military type of horse, still hardy, strong and trainable, but with a larger frame capable of carrying the armor required during battle. Research of Renaissance horses reveals that besides utilitarian and military uses, horses were beginning to find their place in the artistic expression of the times.
Renaissance equestrians began refining the crude military and utilitarian horses enabling them to perform their artistic maneuvers with a new agility. As the Baroque era approached, a horse demonstrating lightness and self carriage developed to perform the individual, collected movements of the times in small riding arenas. A small, compact and powerful horse similar to the Lipizzans of today's Spanish Riding School emerged.
Portugal's Romanic School developed their local breeds of Lusitanos and Andalusians creating a riding style demonstrating the speed and agility necessary for the bullfights of their time. Representing the revolutionary spirit of the post-Napoleonic era were the new hot blooded Thoroughbreds. The emergence of the Warmblood has shaped a riding style dependent on big, beautiful movers capable of performing ample extensions and collections united by quiet transitions all performed in several specific gaits. The shift, away from separation and rebellion, toward united, quiet satisfaction, evident not only by the end of the cold war, but also by the equestrians' artistic expression of the times.
More recently, the introduction of the Kür in the 1996 Olympic Games has placed emphasis on the 'total picture' presented in this highly artistic form of riding. As emotion is expressed in the music, so must it be expressed by the special relationship conveyed by the horse and rider. Undoubtedly, this distinctive affection, captured by the accomplished dressage rider will be emulated by equestrians involved in every equine discipline of our times.
While developments in horse types were occurring in Europe, horse types were also developing based on the needs of the settlers in the new lands of America. Horses were imported from Europe in an effort to help settlers tame the often unforgiving lands.
Horses of various sizes representing Arabic, Barb and Andalusian descent, were sent to Canada by King Louis XIV between 1647 and 1670. Intended for utilitarian purposes, they exhibited rugged, muscular frames and easily trainable temperaments. The little, hardy horse, which survived the strenuous work and unforgiving climate of Quebec throughout the 1700's, became known as 'Le Cheval Canadien' or 'The Little Iron Horse'. English speaking Canadians often identified the breed as 'The French Canadian Horse' or 'The Canadian Horse'. Unfortunately, little was done to insure the bloodlines would remain pure and the registry complete. These horses became treasured calvary mounts leading to their export to the United States during the Civil War and U.S. equestrians began to crossbreed hoping to improve the quality of their own horses. This crossbreeding and lack of care in registering and breeding the purebred Canadian Horse nearly caused the extinction of the purebred Les Cheval Canadien during the 1800's.
Fortunately, in the late 1800's a small group of Quebec residents acted on their desire to preserve the purebred Le Cheval Canadien by opening a French Canadian Stud book and blocking the export of their distinctive horse to the USA. They founded the Société Des Éleveurs De Chevaux Canadiens in 1895 to aid in establishing the breed standard. The association members and Veterinary Director General, Dr. J.G. Rutherford, during the early 1900's managed to identify a need for the breed's existence in their society based on the hardiness and the versatility of the breed. The current breed standard and preservation of the breed during these past 100 years was a direct result of their efforts.
Farmers of the early 1900's demanded a draft horse capable of providing the power and endurance to complete the tasks of the day. Some Canadian Horse breeders responded to this need of their times and used the influence of the Percheron to enhance the draft horse qualities of the Canadian Horse. Others remained committed to maintaining the breed standard.
The Industrial Revolution of the mid 1900's began to replace the draft horse with machines powered by the almighty tractor. Horses took their place in leisure activities with the race horse and the show horse becoming the focus of the equestrian world. Once again some breeders of the Canadian Horse responded to the times and the influence of the thoroughbred began to emerge in the breed. Still, other breeders remained committed to maintaining the breed standard.
Most recently the breed standard was revised to recognize the improvements made in this breed during the past 100 years. In 1909 the breed standard established a height restriction of up to 15.2 for mares and 15.3 for stallions with no restriction placed on the smallest size acceptable. The breed standard was amended to included horses from 14-16 hands thereby, recognizing that, as predicted by Henry William Herbert in 1887, as a result of improved breeding and better living conditions "...there cannot be a doubt that, in a course of two or three generations, at farthest, an inch, or perhaps even a couple of inches, might be added to the stature of the Canadians, without deteriorating--we should rather say while improving upon--their original merits of bone and sinew, and amending the more defective points of their shape."
The versatility of the breed allowed the breeders to constantly adapt their horse to the needs of their changing world throughout the 1900's. Although the breed has been used extensively in Quebec as a carriage and farm horse, it has also proven itself as a substantial saddle horse. Currently, they are found in all equestrian disciplines. They are ideal for use as a competition horse, a working farm horse, or as a backyard family horse. They excel as carriage horses, make excellent children's mounts, perform as reliable endurance and trail horses, and have proven to be champion hunters and impressive dressage horses.
The Canadian Horse has recently proved its worth in several important harness competitions. A team of Les Chevaux Canadiens won the North American Pairs Driving Championship in 1987. More recently, in August 1997, a pair of Canadian Horses, driven by Jean-Paul Gauthier, were victorious over 60 other harnessed teams coming from 20 different countries in a presentation class held in Reisenbeck, Germany. In May 1998 Francois Bergeron driving his mare, Bienvenue Heros ROSIE, won 1st place in a cone event against 43 participants in a combined harness event in Gladstone, New Jersey. ROSIE was also a champion at Caledon, Ontario at the Canadian Driving Classic in July 1998. Sue Mott and her gelding CAESAR won the Advanced Single Horse Championship at the Fair Hill International in Maryland, in October 1998. The Preliminary Single Horse Division at the 1998 Gladstone Driving Event in New Jersey was won by Morris Kerr and his Canadian mare JIMMY PEACH.
As we enter the new millennium, the breed's versatility, apparent in its ability to be classified as both a light draft horse and an all-purpose horse, is becoming increasingly apparent. This versatility, viewed by some as enhanced, due to The Canadian Horses's adaptability to the needs of the times. Yet, viewed by others as inherent in the established breed standard for the original Canadian Horse.
Emersed in a developing technological society, today's people have at their fingertips a new tool, in their home computer, that can vastly expand their vision of the world in which they live. Indeed, with a few key strokes and a click of a mechanical mouse they are stumbling across The Canadian Horse. Those who've had the good fortune to learn of and know this precious equine breed, before the popularity of this prevailing technology, have been adept at showing the new technological world their treasure. The reliability of this new form of information certainly is questionable, but obviously very powerful. The secret of the Canadian Horse is out!
People from all disciplines and walks of life are showing interest in this versatile breed of horse. The Canadian Horses's kind and giving temperament lends itself easily to fulfilling the apparent needs of a society dominated by technology. Filling the void left by technology, today's equestrians are seeking to establish a meaningful relationship with a living creature, as they pursue their goals in a variety of equine disciplines.
Temperament is the one quality that all interested equestrians cite as a main reason for their attraction to this breed of horse. The breeders' challenge is to maintain the breed standards while equestrians desperately attempt to mold The Canadian Horse into their own image of the ideal horse of their times; a horse demonstrating the Canadian Horses' extraordinary temperament, but not necessarily all of its other distinguishing traits.
The Canadian Horse cannot satisfy all of the demands of equestrians interested in the distinct qualities found in other established breeds such as Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Gaited Horses, Paints, Quarter Horses, or the European Warmbloods (etc.). The Canadian Horse has its own set of special physical characteristics that will surely limit its popularity among avid supporters of other breeds of horse. Equestrians who desire the Canadian Horses compliant nature and certain traits, more prevalent in other breeds of horse will be more satisfied by locating horses of those breeds displaying compliant natures rather than by modifying The Canadian Horses's current breed standards.
The Canadian Horses described in the breed standard can provide the answer to many of today's versatility issues as they radiate a distinct artistic presence in a variety of situations. These horses possess the power to execute difficult individual movements, the grace to move between these powerful movements through quiet and smooth transitions, the temperament to withstand demanding training, the longevity to thrive under years of progressively difficult work, and the endurance to maintain their power and grace throughout their performance. The Canadian Horses's temperament, longevity, endurance and athletic ability, together with their versatility, will distinguish them as diamonds among many shining stones.
While the current breeders revel in their preservation of a rare breed of horse during the past 100 years, they can also look forward to welcoming more proud Canadian Horse owners and breeders to their membership. May we all continue to polish this shining stone among equines, satisfying the needs of many equestrians and giving to the world a very special diamond!
