By Ken Morris

The Canadian Horse is part of Canada’s heritage and history, but today our National Horse is in trouble. To save the breed, we need both dedicated breeders and owners to move them into the public eye. One of the strengths of the Canadian Horse is its versatility. Here’s the story of one supremely versatile Canadian Horse, 18-year-old El Passo Nobell Texel, owned and shown by Patricia and Mike Carley of Red Deer County, Alberta. In 2024, they won a Performance Award in Combined Driving and Working Equitation from the Canadian Horse Breeders Association. 

The following is in Patty Carley’s own words, as relayed to the writer… 

I bought Texel, sight unseen, out of Quebec as a driving prospect. He arrived in Alberta on a cold February night in a cattle liner loaded with Holsteins. After the cattle were unloaded, I walked into the dark box stall in the front of the rig and haltered this horse I’d never met before. I led him down the ramp, which was slick with cow manure. He stepped down carefully, but as soon as his feet hit solid ground, he broke free and gleefully ran down the aisle. Thankfully, I’d unloaded him into an enclosed area! 

Above: “This shot was taken at the peak of that epic seven-hour ride in the Hummingbird Creek area on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. My husband Mike is riding our black Canadian mare Sona (Usona). The photo was taken by Cyndie Crook — the friend who held on to Texel’s tail.” 

Above: “On the way back from our trail ride at Writing-On-Stone Park, we had a lesson in sidesaddle riding, something I had always wanted to try, with Lee McLean at her ranch in southern Alberta. Texel took it all in stride, and Lee was very complimentary about him and the way he quickly adapted to the different aids.” Photo: Lee McLean 

Above: “Texel proudly pulled our surrey taking newly-married neighbours from their yard to the reception nearby.” Photo: Connie Tomalty  

That initial meeting told me a lot about him. He’s very bold and not afraid of much, but he can be pushy ¾ an “in your space if you don’t back him off” kind of guy. Horses with that personality aren’t for everyone, but I find them interesting. You just have to work with them differently than a more submissive horse. I started driving Texel by taking lessons with a great coach and some excellent clinicians from all over the world. 

Driving is a dangerous sport. All you have are the reins and your voice if things go wrong ¾ and sooner or later, something will. 

Above: “Here Texel is put to my great grandmother’s McLaughlin cutter for a fun winter drive. My brother-in-law, David Carley, is on the lines.” Photo: John Carley  

Above: Texel canters through his first water obstacle at a training event in 2018. “This was the first time we’d schooled in a water obstacle. He just goes for me — through stuff, over stuff. He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t trust me.”  Photo: Kevin Flynn 

Above: Texel helps Patty open a gate at the Working Equitation at the 2019 Cross National Cup Canada, High River, Alberta. Photo: Bee Varga Photography 

A few years ago, I was driving down a country road at a strong trot, about 15 kph, when one of the rubber tires came off a wheel. The rattle of metal rim on the gravel road was earsplitting. I just said, “Whoa!” and Texel stopped. He stood quietly while I unhitched, and I rode him home. It was a supreme test of mutual trust. 

I ride Texel as much as I drive him, and he’s happiest doing a variety of things. We’ve competed in both Combined Driving and Working Equitation — two sports that couldn’t be more different. Working Equitation really turned him on. He gets psyched about going fast. I introduced him to cows at a Working Equitation clinic in Moose Jaw last summer and only wish I’d had the opportunity to do it sooner. He LOVED it — he so wanted to chase those cows! 

Above: Competing at the year-end Working Equitation championship in Red Deer, AB, in September 2024. “Texel loves getting to go fast —when he enters the show ring, it’s ‘game on!’!”  Photo: Bee Varga Photography

Above: “We were competing at the Novice A level at this WE competition in Olds, AB, so didn’t have to canter the bull line. We’ve since moved up to spearing that ring at a canter, which is much harder!” Photo: Reversed Eye Photography, Annakah Stadlwieser 

Above: “Trail riding at the Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, southern Alberta, where we spent a glorious three days exploring the spectacular coulees with a great group of friends.” Photo: Mike Carley 

Texel has had a wonderful competitive career, but some of our most memorable moments have been outside of the show ring. Two years ago, while riding in the mountains, we got lost and went on an epic unplanned seven-hour detour on very sketchy trails.  We finally had to dismount and lead the horses along a steep sidehill. I found out afterwards that my friend, who was walking behind me, had been hanging on to Texel’s tail for balance the whole time! 

Texel is the best horse I have ever owned. We’ve had so much fun together and learned so much. I’ve had moments of pure bliss on his back and joy in the driver’s seat. He will be with me for the rest of his life. He’s totally earned it! 

This spotlight on the versatility of Canada’s heritage horse is brought to you by the Canadian Horse Heritage and Preservation Society. Interested to learn more? Contact us at Canadian Horse Heritage & Preservation Society (CHHAPS) or follow us on Facebook.

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Main Photo: Canadian gelding El Passo Nobell Texel, owned by Mike and Patty Carley of Red Deer, Alberta. Patty (driver) and Mike (navigator par excellence) compete in Combined Driving at the Intermediate level. Photo: Mark Muilwijk