Most regions of the world have their own breed of horse, and Canada is no exception. The Canadian Horse, sometimes called the Cheval Canadien, has its origins in France. In the late 1600s, King Louis XIV sent two specific breeds of horses to the area of North America that would eventually be known as Canada. These breeds were the Norman and the Breton. Though it is impossible to be certain, these two breeds are believed to be the foundation for the Canadian Horse. If you look closely at the Canadian, you will see several traits in common with both the Norman and the Breton, giving credence to this belief.
These breeds came to Canada (or what would become Canada) and bred freely for two hundred years. No one controlled their spread or attempted any type of breeding program. as a result, they produced offspring uniquely suited to the climate. The extremes climates of the Canadian wilderness, coupled with the scarcity of food, created a horse that was sturdy, strong, and hardy. Today, these are the defining traits of the Canadian Horse. This horse is so strong it is sometimes referred to as The Little Iron Horse.
By the end of the 1800s, this breed could be found throughout Canada and the United States. The hardiness of the Canadian Horse meant that it was a perfect outcross for many breeds needing stronger blood. The Canadian was used to enhance the strength of the Morgan, Tennessee Walking Horse, Standardbred, and American Saddlebred, among others.
The spread of the Canadian Horse continued through the 19th century. Canadian Horses were shipped overseas to serve in the Boer War and also served closer to home in the American Civil War. They were even used on plantations as far away as the West Indies. But exporting the horse came with a price. Fewer were bred and the breed very nearly went extinct.
By the 1880s, concerned enthusiasts had realized that the prized Canadian Horse would soon be no more and made an effort at conservation. in 1886 the first studbook for the Canadian was created and the Canadian Horse Breeders Association formed in 1895. Despite the efforts of the past century, however, the American Livestock Conservancy still lists this breed as critical, meaning it is still hovering on the brink of extinction.
The Canadian Horse is a study in beauty and power. From its arched neck to its flowing mane and tail, this breed is picture perfect as it races across the plains. The head is refined with a short forelock. The chest is deep while the back is short but strong. The elegant shoulders lead into muscular legs with clean joints. This compact horse stands between 14 and 16 hands high and is commonly black in color, though Canadians may also be bay, brown, or chestnut.
Today, the Canadian Horse, when its seen at all, can be found in jumping, eventing, driving, and dressage. The rarity of this breed, however, makes seeing them in competition unlikely.
Many of the horse breeds still around today are the result of breeding programs. The Camargue is not one of those. The Camargue horse is an ancient breed that has been running around the south of France, specifically the marshy plains of the Rhone delta, since prehistoric times. This is a breed of horse that has developed quite naturally. However, once in a while soldiers passing through would breed their own mounts to the existing Camargue of the area, strengthening the breed and preventing it from dying out altogether.
The Camargue has been ridden, at least traditionally, by the cowboys who look after the feral bulls in the area. These horses still run while across the marshes they call home. They are overseen by the Biological Research Station of la Tour du Valat. The Camargue Regional Park is responsible for caring for and protecting the horses. Each year the horses are rounded up and several stallions are gelded.
The Camargue is a very consistent breed. One horse looks very much like the rest, with a little difference in size and build depending on the gender of the horse you're looking at. They are stocky horses, standing only 13 to 14 hands high, with stout haunches, legs, and hooves. Their heads are large and square and the eyes are flush to the skull. The mane and tail are heavy and give the horse a primitive look. All of these horses are born dark and fade to a light grey as they grow to maturity.
Used today for endurance racing and English sports such as dressage, the Camargue is one of the most evocative and primitive of horses.
The Russian Budenny, also known as the Budonny or the Budennovsky, has a bit of a sad origin. During both World War I and the Russian Revolution, many horses were killed. At that particular point in history, horses were still actively engaged in war on European battlefields and they died as often as soldiers did. This meant that horses in the area were in short supply. A horse had to be bred to replace the many who had died, and this breed had to be something a soldier would be proud and even honored to ride.
The best of the calvary riders were to Cossacks who rode their native Don. The new horse had to be at least as strong as the Don but with greater stamina, more height, and beautiful movement. So Thoroughbreds were bred to existing Dons, creating the Budenny. The Russians called his horse the Budennovskaia.
Standing 15 to 16 hands high, the Budenny horse can be found in many shades of chestnut, typically with white markings. The breed has large bones and powerful muscles and moves with both agility and fluidity. You might almost mistake the Budenny for a Thoroughbred since they have the same same long neck, slender and strong legs, and pretty head. But the Budenny is sturdier by far.
Today, the Budenny can be found in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. They are a lovely breed, but because of restrictions put in place during the rise of the Soviet Union, Budenny horses are still relatively rare in the United States. There is currently no real breed association for the Budenny, but the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of the Horse (VNIIK) located outside Moscow manages the studbook and could even be said to oversee the breed itself.
Back in the time of knights and ladies, a black draft horse was bred on the plain of Belgium. This heavy horse, often used as a mount for powerful knights, eventually became known as the Flemish. From this stocky horse came the breed known today as the Belgian Draft Horse. Despite being a breed in its own right, the Belgian Horse has many of the same characteristics of the Flemish, including the ability to haul large loads or carry a heavy weight.
The Belgian has its start in the farming regions of Belgium where it was used to pull wagons on farms. However, it quickly spread to the cities and could be found working alongside other large draft breeds in the warehouse districts. Fishing wharfs and freight stations also made use of the Belgian's desire to work.
Despite their popularity throughout continental Europe, it wasn't until 1866 that the first Belgian Draft Horse made the crossing from Europe to North America. This breed didn't really catch on until 1885 when a small group of men in Wabash, Indiana finally began importing Belgian Horses and selling them to farmers and horse breeders throughout the West.
In today's world the Belgian isn't used as much as it once was. Draft horses aren't often used in modern farming, but those involved in historical or hobby farming will often make use of the Belgian Draft Horse. They can still be found in forestry work where the terrain is too difficult for machines. But their most frequent modern use is for pleasure driving. These horses are particularly suited for hauling a hayride.
The appearance of this horse is fairly standardized. The Belgian's most common color is sorrel, usually with a white mane and tail, white face markings, and white stockings or socks. You will occasionally see a roan Belgian Horse and perhaps even a bay (which is a throwback), but these colors are not considered desirable. The Belgian, being a draft horse, stands from 16 to 18 hands high and has the ability to pull just over 6000 pounds. They can also work for up to 8 hours. If you're looking for a driving horse to pull a hayride or a sled, you might want to look into the Belgian Draft Horse.
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