For generations the Canadian Horse played a vital role in the lives of the early settlers, not only in Canada, but in the United States as well. Today, however, few North Americans are aware of its existence and very little information can be found on this once extremely popular breed. Listed as "critical" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy the Canadian Horse numbers approximately 2500 head, the majority of these being in eastern Canada. Recently there has been a resurgence in the breed's popularity and more horse enthusiasts are becoming aware of the special qualities of "the little iron horse" as it was affectionately nicknamed by the early inhabitants.
ORIGIN : The Canadian Horse had very royal beginnings. Its ancestors were sent to the inhabitants of "New France" direct from the stables of King Louis XIV. These horses were of Breton and Norman descent - the Norman carrying the Andalusian blood. Influence of the Dutch Friesian may be noticed in the trotting ability of the Canadian, the feathered legs, abundance of mane and tail, and general appearance. The Arab and Barb breeds may also be included as probable influences.
King Louis sent three shipments of horses to the New World: the first in 1665 consisted of 2 stallions and 20 mares, however, 8 mares were lost on the voyage; in 1667 fourteen or fifteen horses were sent and in 1670 a stallion and 11 mares made the voyage. Thereafter, the king sent no more horses, as the colonial governor, Intendant Talon, considered there were now enough in the colony to furnish a dependable supply of colts to all in need of them. The breeding program that followed was so successful that in 1679 there were 145 horses in the colony; in 1688, 218; and by 1698 there were 684.
HISTORY:
Canadian Horses cleared and worked the land, carried children to school,
pulled the cutters and 
carriages
and provided great entertainment for their masters in the form of
racing. They endured many hardships - from brutally cold winters to hoards
of mosquitos and flies during the summer, poor feed and long hours of work
with little rest. They survived it all, but became smaller in size - thus
the title: Little Iron Horse. They
gained quite a reputation for their hardiness and stamina and many stories
were told of their courage and ability. One such story was told in the
Breeders Gazette of Chicago in 1914: A wood merchant, owner of a Canadian
Horse weighing approximately 1050 pounds harnessed it on the same pole
beside another horse, two hundred pounds heavier. The Canadian Horse has
always kept his harness traces well stretched and never showed as much
fatigue as his heavier mate. After two years of common work, the heavy
horse died. Questioned on the cause of death, the driver answered, "It
is the Canadian Horse that made him die of overwork"! Another heavy horse
teamed with the same Canadian Horse died after a year and the Canadian
was still in perfect condition.
Little wonder that with such a reputation the British settlers would start to demand the Canadian for use in cross breeding with their own horses. Canadians had the quality of breeding up in size as well as giving the foals their pluck, vigor and iron constitution. They were described as being long-lived, easily kept, and capable of great endurance - heavy enough for the purposes of the farmer or as a roadster while also being a good riding horse. The breed produced both trotters and pacers. Thus Canadian Horses found a ready market in the United States and were also shipped in great quantities to the West Indies. They contributed greatly to the foundation stock of many of today's popular breeds such as the Standardbred,Tenneesee Walking Horse, Saddlebred and the Morgan. Soon Canadians were found on fine carriages, on stagecoaches and unfortunately as recruits in the Civil War as mounts and as pack and draft animals.
So great was the drain in to the United States of the pure Canadian Horse that numbers at home were reduced alarmingly. By the end of the 19th century the breed was in extreme danger of extinction. In 1886 a stud book was established to record the best of the remaining animals, and the Canadian Horse Breeders Association was formed in 1895. The breed struggled, but continued to be in danger, even with the help of government run stud farms. In 1976 there were only 383 registered Canadians. It was only through the efforts of a handful of private breeders that the Canadian started the slow climb back from the brink of extinction. Today there are associations in the Maritimes and Western Canada with several members scattered throughout the U.S. It is their hope that the Canadian is once again safely established on North American soil.
DESCRIPTION: The
historian, Faillon, described the horses as "small but robust, hocks of
steel, thick mane floating in the wind, bright and lively eyes, pricking
sensitive ears at the least noise, going along day or night with the same
courage, wide awake beneath its harness, spirited, good, gentle, affectionate,
following his road with finest instinct to come surely to his own stable."
That description holds true today.
On average Canadians stand from 14 to 16 hands, weighing from 1000 to 1350
pounds. They are well proportioned horses, solidly built and well muscled
especially in the forearm and gaskin. The neck is strong and arched, mounted
high on a long, well sloped shoulder. The body is long and deep, the barrel
rounded. The tail is set high into a heavily muscled rump. The mane and
tail are long, thick and usually wavy. Small ears and widely spaced eyes
with a bold expression - the head shows intelligence and spirit, but no
excess nervousness. One of the greatest characteristics is their extremely
hardy feet and legs. The majority of Canadians are black, but brown, bay
and chestnut are also common.
Intelligent, spirited, yet gentle. The disposition of the Canadian Horse is another truly outstanding characteristic. Simply put, they are kind and generally easy to train. They especially take to the harness, but quickly learn all other disciplines. Still very much a "family" horse.
THE CANADIAN HORSE TODAY : It's
funny how "old fashioned" has a way of coming back in to style! Perhaps
that is the reason the Canadian is gaining in popularity - or perhaps it
is simply that horse lovers are rediscovering the wonderful versatility
of the breed. Their willingness, adaptability and even temperament make
them ideal for use as a competition horse, workhorse, or children's mount.
For the "driving" enthusiast ( from carriage to combined) 
the
Canadian proves to be an exceptional partner - after all - that's what
they have done best for over 300 years! Today they can also be found in
the jumping and dressage rings, on the endurance trails, western trail
classes, performing everyday ranch tasks, and taking the family out for
a buggy or sleigh ride! As pleasure horses or tough competitors, today's
Canadian will put his heart in to the task set before him - just as his
forefathers did - and require very little in return. Hats off to those
who did so much to preserve the Canadian Horse - truly a national treasure!
Created and submitted by Tamie
Dyck at BLACK WIDOW WEB SITES
References: "The Canadian Horse - A Pictorial
History" by Gladys Mackey Beattie
"The Canadian Historical Review" by Robert Leslie Jones
"International Encyclopedia of Horses" by Bonnie Hendricks