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| Breeders of Canada's National Horse THE CANADIAN Le Cheval Canadien |
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| The year 1632 saw the birth of a new era as a massive four mast Schooner arrives from its treacherous voyage across the Atlantic upon the shores of a New World; Acadia. The ship weighed heavy from its cargo; below deck the crew unloads its keep. From the darkened bowels off steps 1400 pounds of defined muscle, fiery and spirited, rearing its bold head, christening the shores with its unprecidented presence. After thousands of years running wild, now chained and harnessed, the evolution of mankind weighed heavy on its back. And so it began the first appearance of a revolutionary machine - the Horse. ROYAL BEGINNINGS The ships embarked from the shores of France at the time of Kings and Queens as attempts to colonize the New World lay on the forefront. In 1647, the Sun King, King Louis XIV, sent his noblemen across the ocean to establish new colonies along a waterway named St. Lawrence. With them a selection of his best royal steeds gathered from his stables at Chateau Versailles. The stock derived from the two most renowned provinces in France, Brittainy and Normandy; hence the breeds were aptly named. The Breton was small yet strong for its size and admired by the King for its soundness and vigor. The Norman closely resembled the Breton yet had evidence of oriental roots, most likely Andalusian. Its hardness, its agile trot, its feathered legs and abundance of mane were prominent features of such. 2 stallions and 20 mares, 8 of which perished on the voyage, accompanied the men. Consequential shipments were to follow as gifts to these nobles who had pushed their way southwest establishing new territory in the name of the King. In 1670 shipments from the King ceased as it was thought that there were enough horses in the colonies to furnish a dependable supply of colts. For the following three years the colts were reared at the expense of the Government. The prized offspring were loaned for a price to only "the gentleman of the country", those that had made significant contributions to further the colonies. This was extremely successful and the distribution of horses began to broaden, by the end of the century 684 horses existed throughout the New World. Over the next 150 years, the horses were bred without concern of perpetuating any specific qualities yet produced quite distinct prodigy; physically sound and full of spirit as the Breton; attractive and agile as the Norman. The horse became the blood of the Colonists' survival in a wild and rugged land. Breaking new ground cultivatiing, plowing fields and harrowing the gardens. Forced through unbearable road conditions of deep ditches, mud holes and snow drifts. Hauling extremely large cumbersome loads of logs to build houses and ships. Driven hard for miles hauling iron, rocks and timber to expand the railway and then left to stand uncovered to endure the harsh Canadian climate. Brutally cold were the winters yet the horses were given no shelter, especially the young unused stock, and the summers were filled with hoards of mosquitoes and flies to which they had no defense due to the Colonists' practice of tail docking. They were forced to survive on minimal feed, fed mostly straw as cured hay did not exist and seldom grain; yet were still required to work consistently without fail. Through survival of such adverse conditions, they evolved into an outstanding breed all their own. Their offspring became smaller in size yet heavily muscled, sure-footed standing squarely on the ground, broad necks to withstand such heavy loads and thick skins for protection. They became long-lived foaling past the age of twenty. Their temperaments remained; spirited without nervousness, poised and eagerly full of willingness. Time and circumstance would shape the French horse into a distintive breed in the New World. Habitants of this time called their horses, "le petit cheval de fer" Little Iron Horse; the horse of New France would epitomize just such notion. A "Little Iron" Turns To Gold The French horse bred true for almost 200 years with the isolation of New France and by 1760 12,000 horses of ancesrtral blood existed. 1761 - Saw political upheaval as the British landed 500 soldiers and seized the founding city of New France Quebec City. A small cavalry unit of 200 horses fought on the Plains of Abraham With colonists divided and borders established the country soon battled under divided rule forming a new alliance to be known as Canada. 1780 - The immense versatility of the horse encountered in Canada began a surge of imports from the British Isles and USA. These horses were crossbred with the French Canadien in attempts to prevail its characteristics of strength and hardiness in common stock. This contributed to the development of new and distinctive varieties in Lower Canada as well as destroying almost completely pure Canadian blood. -Canadian Pacer - Canadian bred to a Narragansett Pacer to obtain a stronger leg and a longer stride -French or "St. Lawrence" - Canadian bred to a thoroughbred to obtain speed and muscle conditioning. -Heavy Draft - Canadian bred to a Shire to obtain a powerhouse. This disappeared at the end of the century. Foundation stock remained predominently in Upper Canadaas large numbers spread playing a major role in accessing other parts of the country. As populations were rapidly increased due to such crossbreeding demand for "Canadian" blood grew in some of the older British colonies and horses were exported from Canada to the West Indies. 1800 - The "new" Canadian now estimated an astonishing 150,000 1812-1820 - Thousands of "new" Canadians were exported to the USA front lines during the war. Approximately 30,500 horses perished. The colonists were pressured to increase export after the war to replenish the population and run stagecoach lines. 1867 - Despite the loss of purebred French Canadien, thousands of inferior stallions were exported to the United States as their bloodlines played a pivotal role in establishing foundation stock for prominent breeds such as Morgan, Standardbred, Tennessee Walking Horse and the American Saddlebred. The French Canadien was now in such danger of losing its separate identity. Concern grew throughout the continent, as authorities feared purity of race was no longer remaining. 1885 - A concerned group of colonists realizing the need to preserve the true French Canadien petitioned the government to establish a Stud Book. The project was headed by a doctor of veterinary medicine, J. A. Couture. 1886 - The Stud Book was finally openedDecember 16, 1886. As well at this time a law was passed banning export of any horse from Lower Canada. The Canadian Horse Breeders Association was officially formed in Lower Canada largely due to the noticed attention of Couture's struggle to preserve the Canadian. The association was formed to identify official standards of the "true" Canadian breed having registry under law. 1895-1901 - 1801 horses, 628 mares and 1173 stallions, were at this time registered under a specific line of Conformation standards. Being somewhat lax in commitment to this conformity animals of inferior quality were soon being registered. 1904 - The Canadian Horse Breeders Association joined together with the Canadian National Livestock Records to amalgamate standards nationally. 1907 - Dr. J. D. Rutherford, Veterinary Director General, assumed the position of Commissioner of the Canadian National Livestock Records. It was evident that carelessness had occurred in the inspection and acceptance of registration standards of the Canadian. An entirely new Canadian Stud Book was created. A fixed and defined standard of qualifications was now adopted. "Stallions must not exceed 15.3hh and weighing 1100-1350 lbs. Mares must not exceed 15.2hh and weighing 1050-1250 lbs. The head is courageous looking, perhaps somewhat angular with the ears far apart, the neck thick, the frame stout, the breast full, the shoulders strong, even, rather upright, the back longer than short and sidesinclined to flatness, the croup rather round or fleshy with quarters short and somewhat drooping, the muscles well let down and tendons large, the feet tough and almost immune from disease. The French Canadian Horse is of no fixed colour." (Cherry Creek Canadians-Canadian Horse History) 1908 - A new committee was chosen and inspections led by Dr. J.A. Couture. Of the 2528 horses presented only 969 horses were now accepted and of those, only 125 from the first book. Primarily only horses in Quebec were inspected yet some limited inspection was done in Ontario. The decision was made that the Canadians elsewhere would in all probability contain outside blood. Thousands of Canadian horses throughout Canada existed yet were not registered. Along with the advancement of machinery eventually the interbreed Canadian was slowly disappearing. 1913 - On the recommendation of Rutherford and couture, the Federal Government became involved in the preservation of the old French canadien. Even though the breed had become quite diverse intype Rutherford and Couture felt that with select breeding a comparitive generation could be possible. The government began an experimental breeding program out of Cap Rouge, Quebec, 12 mares and 3 stallions were purchased, chosen for their conformation, courage, vitality and endurance characteristics truely of the old French Canadien. A mare named Helene was bred with a stallion named Wilfred producing a son, a very influential founding sire of the new generation Albert de Cap Rouge (stood at stud for 19 years). 1919 - Cap Rouge facility became outgrown and the program transferred to Saint Joachim, Quebec. 23 mares and 2 stallions with an additional 30 more were purchased from around the province in order to establish representations of other lines. 38 strains of selection were eventually culled to 8. These 8 bloodlines became a foundation, which supplied uniormity in size, style, conformation and vitality. "Stallions were now 15.2 to 16hh weighing 1250-1500 lbs. and mares were now 15 to 15.3hh weighing 1200-1400 lbs" (Cherry Creek Canadians-Canadian Horse History) 1940s - The pressure of war brought about the closure of Saint Joachim and horses began to disperse due to mechanical power and redundant need for them in the army. 7 mares and 1 stallion were transferred to St. Anne du la Pocatiere Quebec City to maintain a small herd of breeding stock. The founding sire was Beaulac de Cap Rouge. Horses were named under "La Gorgendiere" or "de la Gorgendiere", after a small county of St. Ann in which the program was located. Throughout 1940, the Canadian horse made its way west to British Columbia to permanently imprint stock, some even escaping to influence the ferel horses of the Great Plains. 1960 - A second experimental farm was established in Deschambault Quebec City not far from the other farm. Here Beaulac de Cap Rouge was on loan for the next five years becoming the predominent sire in many of the founding bloodlines. 1970 - The need for horses for use as draft animals plummetted; they were now only bred for financial gain as racers, jumpers or participants in the show ring. Interest in the Canadian horse dropped to an all-time low, as its sturdy frame was unappealing, With only five to ten registrations per year less than 400 were believed to be in existance. 1975 - The Government ceased all funding for any experimental breeding program as stock sold at auction fell solely into the hands of private breeders. 1977 - The plight of the Canadian was once again nearing the demise of extinction. Being recognized as critical individuals such as DONNIE PROSPERINE and ALEX HAYWARD set out to aquire quality-breeding stock from Quebec in attempts to reintroduce the Canadian back into Ontario. 1981 - Through several years of struggle Prosperine and Hayword were able to obtain a stallion from auction one of the oldest "true" bloodlines. A stallion named Vigor Duc (forefathers of De Cap Rouge line) and mares Windsor Michette and Windsor Rosine. Their offspring began to appear in Canadian Driving Classes and later became instrumental of Canadians showing at the Royal Winter Fair. These efforts proved to be a major turning point for the breed increasing the horse's profile to ensure its survival. There began an upsurge of interest in the breed within the next three to five years. Population soared to exceed that of almost 2000. 1987 - Donnie Properine's farm in Dunrobin Ontario produced a prominent foundation breeding stock for a new generation of Canadians. Donnie was named "Mr. Canadian Horse" a modern day pioneer becoming recognized as the breed's founding father. 1988 - Prosperine, Hayward and a few dedicated others established the Upper Canada District Canadian Horse Breeders Association. During this time the breed was being promoted, as Canada's National Horse yet there was no "documented" parlimentary evidence of such. Other Canadian breeders wanted official recognition so Prosperine and Hayward began. Sadly, Donnie Properine passed in September unable to see his horse receive such honour. His son Frank and friend Hayward continued to persue the endeavor. 1995 - Hayward lobbied his local MP to submit a private members bill to th House of Commons requesting the Canadian Horse be officially recognized as Canada's National Horse. The bill was introduced to the House deemed not votable and died. 1998 - Hayward continued to persue the bill in Ontario. News spread throughout the country. Yvonne Hillsden, a Canadian owner in British Columbia lobbied her MP, Murray Calder to submit a private members bill, which came to an abrupt halt as the Bloc Quebecois, bid to deem the Canadian Horse as their heritage symbol. The bill died. 1999 - The heritage issue was called to the House of Commons and passed. Assuming there would now be no further resistance for national status Calder re-introduced the bill. Once again, the bill died with the call of a Parlimentary election. 2000 - Dr. Kelly Ferguson a veterinarian living in Pakenham Ontario was the proud owner of a team of Canadians. She and a small handful of others established The Canadian Horse Breeders of Ontario (to which Hayward belonged). Senator Lowell Murray lived not far from Ferguson, knew of her horses and fortunately became a supporter of Calder's bill when he first when he first introduced it to the House in 1999. 2001 - Ferguson approached Senator Murray requesting he also submit a private members bill in support of the Canadian's national status. He enlisted the ongoing support of Calder and called on Candian Horse groups to present briefings. As a result, the bill was successfully passed into Senate in November. 2002 - The bill was sent for review before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and was quickly approved. Once again, the bill stood before the House of Commons. " At this point Canadian Horse owners from British Columbia to Quebec to Nova Scotia united strong lobbying Members of Parliment to endorse the bill. Never before had Canadian Horse owners pulled together in such dedicated expression of patriotism." ( Canadian Horse) Tuesday April 30, 2002 - Bill S-22 achieved its final honour by recieving Royal Assent, an act declaring the Canadian Horse, National Horse of Canada. |