By Carol Mackay 

The Canadian Horse is our country’s oldest distinct breed. It was once vital to agriculture, transportation, and even military but now is in serious decline. Where there were once tens of thousands of Canadian Horses living on farms across Canada, there are now 6,300 according to the 2024 Annual Report by the Canadian Horse Breeders Association, and only 82 foals were born in 2024, of which 38 were fillies. The Livestock Conservancy, a US-based organization dedicated to conserving heritage breeds, cites the Canadian Horse as “Critical,” indicating the breed is in danger of becoming extinct. 

This depressing news is hard to swallow, but not all is lost. There are still breeders and enthusiasts around who are keen to revive it. Here is the jubilant account of the birth of a Canadian filly in early July this year… 

It was Terry Spring’s first foaling — and he was excited and nervous. Everything had been readied, and he was regularly testing the pH levels of the mare’s milk, which typically show a telltale drop when the birth is within 48 hours. But when no pH drop occurred, he grew anxious. Then, one afternoon while Terry was working in his garden, the pregnant mare bedded down in the grass next to him. He didn’t think much about it until a couple of his friends visiting from the local stable yelled out: “Looks like Glayva is going into labour!”

Terry dropped everything to watch this miracle of nature unfold before him. The exciting news spread quickly, and people began showing up to watch from a distance. This beautiful, trusting mare was going to deliver her baby in broad daylight, in front of everyone. 

“When I saw its little head poking out of the sack and a sweet face with big, blinking eyes taking in the world around it, I was stunned,” said Terry. Within an hour the filly was standing on her long, spindly legs and beginning to nurse. “Judging by the length of her canon bones, she will likely be one of the taller, sportier Canadians.” 

“After seeing declining registrations, the importance of having a healthy new Canadian foal on the ground wasn’t lost on me,” says Terry. “My ‘heart’ horse, Diamo, who has carried me on so many adventures, is my new foal’s grandfather. The foal’s mother, Glayva, is Diamo’s daughter. And with the arrival of this new filly, I now have three generations of Canadians living on my farm in BC. I’m really looking forward to the time when she will make her own contribution!”  

This particular foal has a long pedigree dating back to 1905 and Terry was proud to enter her birth into the Canadian Livestock Records. An official name had already been chosen, Camelot Icon Mist-of-Avalon, but to Terry, she will always be Misty. 

Terry Spring visiting with Misty. Photo Courtesy of Terry Spring 

  

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

Related: Rediscovering a Lost History: An Interview with Canadian Horse historian, Roxanne Salinas

Related: The Canadian Horse

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Main Photo: Camelot Icon Mist-of-Avalon (Misty). Photos Courtesy of Terry Spring