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Article - May 2002
In
The Shadow of Equus Way to Go, Canadians! | ||
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The Canadian Horse is Canada's official Canadian horse. On Tuesday, April 23, 2002, the House of Commons voted 166 to 58 in favour of honouring the only breed of horse developed in Canada. On the eve of our press date, on Tuesday, April 30, 2002, the bill gained Royal Assent and became law. "The horse made such a contribution to Canadian history that the breed should be recognized as the Canadian horse," stated Murray Calder, Liberal MP for the Ontario riding of Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey. Mr. Calder, a farmer with a number of Canadian Horse breeders in his riding, first introduced his private member's bill five years ago. Finally, after two unsuccessful attempts, it passed third reading and Bill S-22 - "An Act to provide for the recognition of the Canadian Horse as the national horse of Canada" - has brought this beautiful horse into focus as a symbol of Canada. It's not often a private member's bill about a horse achieves Royal Assent. It's not often a private member's bill about anything gets past first reading. But the story of the horse's courage, resilience, strength, intelligence, kind and hard working nature grabbed the imagination of the collective parliamentary psyche to elevate the horse as a symbol of everything that Canada and the Canadian people stand for. Symbols are the soul of a people. They speak for heritage and history, values and identity. For centuries, countries have draped themselves in flags, coats of arms, and emblems. The eagle is the national bird of the United States; the carib wood is the national flower of Dominica; the Azteca is the national horse of Mexico. In 1975, a private member's bill declared the beaver as Canada's official symbol of our sovereignty and, more recently, Parliament declared hockey and lacrosse national sports. "The ancestors of the current Canadian Horse came from France with the early French settlers," stated Mr. Calder as recorded in Hansard Parliamentary debates. "They were introduced to Canada by King Louis XIV who sent roughly 30 horses from his own stables in Normandy and Brittany. There was no standard Norman or Breton breeds in the seventeenth century. As a result, the Canadian Horse can trace its ancestry back to several breeds including the Andalusian, the Arabian and the Percheron horses."
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Gradually, as the Canadian Horse adapted to climatic and environmental conditions, it became exceptionally hardy and strong. Its heavy coat, thick, wavy mane and tail and short ears gave it protection from bitter Canadian winters and it thrived on whatever food was available. The horse became so tough, strong and resilient that it earned its nickname, "The Little Iron Horse". The Canadian Horse was absolutely indispensable to the settlers of New France and, later, Upper Canada. It was harnessed to clear trees, plough fields, make roads, haul timber. The horse took children to school, doctors to patients, farmers to market, families to church and soldiers to battle. A healthy little Canadian Horse was money in the bank, an asset on the ledger, a family friend, working companion and once in a while the difference between life and death. Many Canadian Horses were shipped to the United States as contributors to the founding stock that created the Morgan, Standardbred and Tennessee Walking Horse. But the diversity of its success almost led to its demise as war, struggle and interbreeding put the purebred in danger of extinction. Thus began the Canadian Horse Breeders Association in 1895. Export of the horse was stopped. A stud book had been started in 1886 but a new and more effective one was launched in 1907 and, in 1913, a breeding centre was opened in Quebec. "The Canadian Horse is a perfect symbol for Canada," concluded Mr. Calder. "It has those traits that we, as Canadians, value. I am talking about all Canadians ...Like the country itself, Canadian horses are very peaceful. From the time of ancient Greece, the horse has been an emblem signifying strength and courage. The Canadian Horse is one of the world's strongest and most courageous breeds. For this reason, it is the perfect emblem for Canada." It is also the perfect gift from Canada to British royalty. This year marks Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee. Her Majesty will be visiting Canada in October and, according to Mr. Calder, plans are underway to present her with a gift of a Canadian Horse in honour of her love for and admiration of equines. From the long ago royalty of one country to the modern day royalty of another, a hard working horse brings national pride to Canada. Photo courtesy of the Office of Murray Calder, MP. More photos of The Canadian Horse (Cheval de fer) are available on Murray Calder's website at: www.murraycalder.ca/issues/horse.
Read Margaret Evans' column "In The Shadow Of Equus" each month in The Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal |
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It's
official.