Nicknamed the "Little Iron Horse", the Canadian horse has worked its way into our hearts, bringing children to school, food to farmers families, and wood in to heat their homes on cold winter nights. Still used today, this versatile breed is noted for it's endurance and strength, but also for it's hardiness and versatility (did well in international driving competitions, dressage, hunter, jumper, eventing, western disciplines and endurance). The rough terrain of New France had removed any animals which could not stand up to the rigors of the new world. Wintered on straw, the Canadian had to adapt to a cold climate while working and clearing the land with little to eat as farmers had little to feed themselves let alone their livestock. These horses became smaller in size, but developed a sturdiness found in no other breed. The Canadien is a result of natural selection and breeding to fit the uniquely Canadian climate. The first horse to gallop on Canadian soil was unloaded in Quebec on June 25, 1647. The original horse stock were Andalusians, Arabs, Bretons and Anglo-Norman horses brought to Quebec from France.

Generally, the Canadian Horse is black, but colors also range from bay to light chestnut. A stallion can weigh 1050-1350 lbs. and the mare 1000-1250 lbs. They are 14.2 to 16.1 hands in height. The Canadien has a well proportioned body with an especially well muscled legs. The mane and tail are thick, long and wavy. The Canadien is generally very easy to handle. The Canadian is a late bloomer but he also lives longer and is still useful at an advanced age. The mares are extremely fertile and reproduce regularly until the age of 25.

When the British overtook Quebec, they found the robust Canadian horse an ideal candidate to crossbreed their horses of various lineages to, leaving a trail of half breeds. The Civil war and Boer war also took a toll on the Canadian as animals were used as cavalry mounts, hauling artillery on the battlefield, but legend has it not once did the Cheval Canadien (Canadian Horse) shirk his duty. Thousands of these animals died leaving only a few to carry on the proud name the Cheval Canadien / Canadian Horse so rightly deserved.

Today, breeders across Canada are working hard to save this breed for future generations to enjoy while maintaining a part of Canadian heritage which so few know about. The populations of Cheval Canadien horses are wide spread throughout Canada but most horses are in Québec and Ontario. Mares tend to be highly fertile as a result of natural selection in the Cheval Canadien horse and natural mating has produced a large number of foals. So the breed is spreading well. Canada's own unique breed The Cheval Canadiens / Canadian Horses were much loved and utilized by the early settlers because of their strength, willingness, and small food requirements. Their numbers rose quickly so that by 1850 there were approximately 150,000 Canadiens. However the importing of other breeds and exporting to the United States for use in various wars meant the horse was in danger of disappearing as a distinct breed. The number of Canadien Horses had declined to under 400 in1976. As early as 1886 efforts had been made to increase the numbers of the Canadien breed. Efforts have continued throughout this century with the result that there are presently over 4000 Cheval Canadien / Canadian Horses. 

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We have owned three registered Canadians, Dumont Dad N’Lillien(mare), and (Lillie’s foal 2008), Gazelle (mare) due to foal 2009. 

Gazelle's Pedigree

Louis' Pedigree