Contents

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. It was formerly known as the Canadian Hunter; a breed society was formed in 1926. The breed name was changed in 1984.

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[edit]

The 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[edit]

Height 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, blackorgray.^[7][9] pinto and cream are possible, as are palomino and cremello.^[7][12]

Selection[edit]

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.^[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[edit]

This 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]

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.