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. It was formerly known as the Canadian Hunter; a breed society was formed in 1926. The breed name was changed in 1984.
| Country of origin | Canada |
|---|---|
| Use | Sport horse |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Height |
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The Canadian Sport Horse is intended for equestrian sport competitions, especially show jumping and dressage. It is a distinct and separate breed from both the Canadian and the Canadian Warmblood.[1]
History
editThe English lieutenant Dan Lysons mentioning the jumping ability of Canadian horses in 1893.[2][3]
The Canadian Hunter was 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][4] In 1926, the Canadian Hunter, Saddle and Light Horse Improvement Society was founded.[5][4] 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.[4]
At the beginning of the twentieth century many of these horses were sold to the United States, where they were used for show jumping and hunter seat.[2][4] Others were sent to Europe as part of the World War II.[2][4] 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.[6]
The studbook was renamed in 1984 to include the designation 'Sport Horse'.[4][7] The name change was registered the following year in the Official Trademark Journal.[8] The breed was renamed Canadian Sport Horse in 1987.[9][4]
Many of the horses are in Ontario.[2][10] Numbers were growing in 2014.[9]
Characteristics
editHeight at the withers must be no less than 1.62 m for registered in the studbook.[1][11]
This horse is close to English and Irish Hunters,[9] showing a clear Thoroughbred influence, with a solid build and fluid movements.[2][12] The eyes are large, the neck length proportional to the body.[7] The chest is broad and the shoulder sloping.[7]
Its nutritional requirements are greater than those of the Canadian horse.[13]
The coat is plain, generally bay (including bay-brown), chestnut, black or gray.[7][9] pinto and cream are possible, as are palomino and cremello.[7][12]
Selection
editSelection 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.[14] Horses are registered by inspection.[5][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.[15] The association looks for powerful horses with good jumping ability,[9] suitable for all three Olympic equestrian sports.[14] Particular attention is paid to gaits, which must show balance and drive.[7] Stallion selection is particularly rigorous.[7]
The studbook association, Canadian National Live Stock Records, is based in Ottawa, Ontario.[4] Mares that do not belong to the Canadian Sport Horse registry can be registered on an appendix list.[7]
Use
editThis is a sport horse, used under saddle and in equestrian sports.[3] It is ridden in show jumping, dressage, eventing and hunter competitions;[4] it is also used for foxhunting and carriage driving.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Porter et al. (2016, p. 449)
- ^ a b c d e f g Dutson (2005, p. 89)
- ^ a b Hendricks (2007, p. 104)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hendricks (2007, p. 105)
- ^ a b "History". Canadian Sport Horse Association. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ Cabrera (2004, p. 273)
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dutson (2005, p. 90)
- ^ Journal Des Marques de Commerce (in French). Trade Marks Office. 1985. pp. 41–42.
- ^ a b c d e Rousseau (2014, p. 433)
- ^ Agri-food Research in Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. 1993. p. 3.
- ^ Dutson (2005, pp. 89–90)
- ^ a b Dutson (2012b, p. 38)
- ^ Bennett & Davidson (2015, p. 33)
- ^ a b Dutson (2012, p. 90)
- ^ O'Dea (1996, pp. 227–228)
Bibliography
edit- 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 978-1-60342-918-4.
- 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 978-0-8061-3884-8.
- 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 978-1-84593-466-8.
- 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 978-1-78924-153-2.
- Rousseau, Élise Rousseau (2014). "Cheval de sport canadien". Tous les chevaux du monde. Delachaux et Niestlé. ISBN 978-2-603-01865-1.