The farm horse of the
Canadian countryside is the base stock for the Canadian Sport Horse.
After the First World War, Thoroughbred stallions from England were
made available to cross with the countryside stock, producing a more
refined horse. In 1926, the Canadian Hunter, Saddle and Light Horse
Improvement Society was organized. In 1933, a second organization,
The Canadian Hunter Society was incorporated and a Stud Book was
maintained. The two societies merged in 1970 and renamed the society
to include the term "Sport Horse," a name which appropriately
distinguishes this highly athletic breed. Standing up to 16 hands
high, the Canadian Sport Horse shows similar conformation to the
hunters produced by the English and Irish. Over the years the horse
has been highly refined for dressage competition, although still
used for its hunting abilities.
During the First World War, and as the direct result of
Canada's reputation for breeding quality horses, a large percentage
of Canada's horse population was shipped overseas for military use.
These horses never made it back to their native land, resulting in a
thin breeding stock for future Canadian horses. It wasn't until the
Canadian government brought Thoroughbreds over from England that a
foundation bloodline was established to create a healthy horse
population again. |
