Canadian Sport Horse

The Canadian Sport Horse is a studbook of sport horses managed in Canada. These horses are crossbred between Thoroughbred stallions and local, Canadian-bred mares. The breeding society was opened in 1926 to register these horses, which were then known as Canadian Hunters. The breed took on its current name in 1984, in line with the development of sport horse breeding.

Canadian Sport Horse
Country of originCanada
UseSport horse
Traits
Weight
  • Around 600 kg
Height
  • From 1.62 m to 1.65 m

The Canadian Sport Horse is intended for equestrian sport competitions, especially show jumping and dressage. It is a distinct and separate breed from the Canadian Warmblood.[1]

Denomination

Despite the similarity of its name, the Canadian Sport Horse should not be confused with the Canadian horse breed.[2] The name Canadian Sport Horse is used in equivalence with Canadian Warmblood, which has the same meaning.[3] The former name is Canadian Hunter.[4][5]

History

According to Bonnie Lou Hendricks (University of Oklahoma), the selection of a sport horse breed dates back to the late 19th century, with English lieutenant Dan Lysons mentioning the jumping ability of Canadian horses as early as 1893.[2][6] The selection of these horses represented the first experience of sport horse breeding in North America.[3]

At the beginning of the 20th century many of these horses were sold to the United States, where they were used for show jumping and hunter seat, both in Europe and North America.[2][7] Others were sent to Europe as part of the World War II.[2][7] In 1920, the Canadian federal government became involved in horse breeding, with the aim of obtaining a uniform type of horse weighing around 550 kg.[8]

The Canadian Sport Horse is the result of half-blood crosses between local Canadian mares and Thoroughbred stallions,[1] including 16 imported from England to Ontario by the Canadian Racing Association.[2][7] In 1926, the Canadian Hunter, Saddle and Light Horse Improvement Society was founded.[3][7] A studbook was opened in 1928 to register the founding mares. In 1933, the Canadian Hunter Society was amalgamated, and the Canadian Hunter studbook was maintained.[7]

This studbook was renamed in 1984 to include the Sport Horse designation, due to the use of these horses in equestrian sports,[7] the selection having evolved from the military horse to the sport horse.[9] The name change was registered the following year in the Official Trademark Journal.[10] The breed was renamed Canadian Sport Horse.[11]

Description

Height must exceed 1.62 m to be registered in the studbook.[1][12]

This horse is close to English and Irish Hunters,[11] showing a clear Thoroughbred influence, with a solid build and fluid movements.[2][13] The eyes are large, the neck length proportional to the body.[9] The chest is broad and the shoulder sloping.[9]

Its nutritional requirements are greater than those of the Canadian horse.[14]

Coats

Also, the coat is plain, generally bay (including bay-brown), chestnut, black or gray.[9][11] According to Judith Dutson, pinto and cream are possible, as are palomino and cremello.[9][13]

Selection

Selection is managed by the Canadian Sport Horse Association, which describes the Canadian Sport Horse as an "evolving" breed, whose existence is closely linked to selection objectives.[15] Horses are registered by inspection.[3][1] Young horses are shown at model and gait competitions, including the prestigious Royal Horse Show, where an expert (e.g., a veterinarian) is appointed to evaluate them.[16] The association looks for powerful horses with good jumping ability,[11] suitable for all three Olympic equestrian sports.[15] Particular attention is paid to gaits, which must show balance and drive.[9] Stallion selection is particularly rigorous.[9]

The studbook association, Canadian National Live Stock Records, is based in Ottawa, Ontario.[7] Mares that do not belong to the Canadian Sport Horse registry can be registered on an appendix list.[9]

Usage

This is a sport horse, used under saddle and in equestrian sports.[6] The breed is ridden in show jumping, dressage, eventing and hunter competitions,[7] as well as for fox hunting.[2] The breed is also used for foxhunting, and in carriage driving.[2]

Breeding distribution

This studbook is unique to Canada, and is particularly present in Ontario.[2][17] The Delachaux guide states that the breed's numbers were growing in 2014[11]

See also

References
  1. Porter et al. (2016, p. 449)
  2. Dutson (2005, p. 89)
  3. "History". Canadian Sport Horse Association. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  4. Porter (2020, p. 186)
  5. Porter (2002, p. 171)
  6. Hendricks (2007, p. 104)
  7. Hendricks (2007, p. 105)
  8. Cabrera (2004, p. 273)
  9. Dutson (2005, p. 90)
  10. Journal Des Marques de Commerce (in French). Trade Marks Office. 1985. pp. 41–42.
  11. Rousseau (2014, p. 433)
  12. Dutson (2005, pp. 89–90)
  13. Dutson (2012b, p. 38)
  14. Bennett & Davidson (2015, p. 33)
  15. Dutson (2012, p. 90)
  16. O'Dea (1996, pp. 227–228)
  17. Agri-food Research in Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. 1993. p. 3.

Bibliography
  • Bennett, K.; Davidson, John (2015). Canadian "The Little Iron Horse" For Kids. Mendon Cottage Books. ISBN 9781311563675.
  • Cabrera, Ángel (2004). Chevaux d'Amérique (in French). Translated by Bellec, Christine. Éditions du Rocher. ISBN 2-268-05129-3.
  • Dutson, Judith (2005). "Canadian Sport Horse". Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America. Storey publishing. ISBN 1-58017-613-5.
  • Dutson, Judith (2012). Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America (2nd ed.). Storey Publishing. ISBN 1-60342-918-2.
  • Dutson, Judith (2012b). Horse Breeds of North America The Pocket Guide to 96 Essential Breeds. Storey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-61212-210-6. OCLC 820723081.
  • Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). "Canadian Sport Horse". International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds (2nd ed.). University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0-8061-3884-X.
  • O'Dea, Joseph (1996). Olympic Vet: A Didactic Memoir. Castlerea Press.
  • Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen; Sponenberg, Dan (2016). "Canadian Sport Horse". Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (6th ed.). CAB International. ISBN 1-84593-466-0.
  • Porter, Valerie (2002). Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. CABI. ISBN 978-0-85199-430-7.
  • Porter, Valerie (2020). Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties (6th ed.). CAB International. ISBN 1-78924-153-7.
  • Rousseau, Élise Rousseau (2014). "Cheval de sport canadien". Tous les chevaux du monde. Delachaux et Niestlé. ISBN 2-603-01865-5.
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