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Days in Horse Country – The Canadian…… eh?
In 1665, when
Canada was still a French colony, Luis the XIV sent the struggling settlers a
shipload of sixteen horses. In 1670, he
sent another shipment. The French horses
that arrived on Canadian soil were of Norman, Breton, Arab, Barn, and
Andalusian breeding.
Life was harsh in colonial Canada, known as New France at the time, and the difficult climate and lack of good pasture took its toll on the new horses. Only the strongest horses survived to propagate.
By the time New France had grown from a tiny colony to an area of nearly 20,000 people in Montreal in the 1,700s, those first French-imported horses had changed dramatically. The rigors of their life and work meant only the toughest survived, and the scarcity of food left them small, never more than 15 hands high. This diminutive but powerful horse plowed fields, pulled logs, carried small children, and raced for sport.
Today, the Canadian Horse is known for its easy going and willing temperament. The breed has a somewhat stocky build, with a short, straight head; a fairly arched neck; a strong short back; and an abundant mane and tail.
Canadian Horses are most often seen in black, although chestnut, bay, and dark brown are colours also seen within the breed. Standing 14 to 16 hands in height, the breed has grown a bit since its days in colonial Quebec, which makes it suitable for a variety of sports, such as driving, jumping, dressage, and distance riding.
Michael