Going to be taking a second look at a registered Canadian Horse.
What can you tell me about the breed that isn’t listed on google…good/bad/unique??
I have always admired them and think I happen to luck out in having one within my budget…just want to know as much as I can before I commit to the purchase…
Nice horses!
What are you using them for?
They are an all around horse that have not been bred for anything in particular. That and the small numbers. I had a friend that was crossing them on OTTB mares for amateur eventers. She was happy with the results and she definitely had a ton of experience with horses and teaching. A life long horse person and she was 65 at the time.
I think I would look at the individual horse as they probably vary greatly in ability and temperament. I have friends that through their personal experience, wouldn’t own one. Know a trainer who was attacked by a young one, he was a dangerous animal. These are all antidotal, but I think their is a lack of breeding standards and direction and that you need to judge the horse in front of you.
although I like their looks, haven’t met one that was nice… maybe they did not have the right owners, but very bossy, and stubborn. The BO was glad to see the last one go.
Just a pleasure horse, probably never going to show. Mostly trail rides and basic lesson in english for myself and my DD.
This specific horse is a been there done that type who’s life has been spent on a trail ranch. Used for trail riding, lessons, therapeutic sessions with young teens, some fox hunting off site, and basic dressage training.
He was a good boy, minded his manners and personal space. He wasn’t overly affectionate, I honestly would say he was a cat personality lol
Didn’t get rammy for treats or nervous around strangers (probably very used to it being as where he is)
Selling as he is more suited for a one or two person ownership instead of the ranch lifestyle.
I could see him developing bad habits and being pushy or stubborn, if he doesn’t have a consistent rider or training; but I suspect that of a lot of the large drafty types who know their size can intimidate. Hence why I don’t think he is working out being used upto 6 times a day on the ranch by various (but mostly) newbies.
Ask about Morgan temperament.
Early Morgan horses were heavily impacted by the Canadian Horse and show many of the same characteristics.
Stubborn, even self-protectively dangerous in the wrong hands; they have alot of ‘pony-tude’ for lack of a better comparison. They do not suffer fools, yet are often very good with children or novices.
Historically they are long-lived, very easy keepers; on sound, tough legs with a go forward, inquisitive attitude.
Sounds like a good horse for your needs if the temperament is right.
known quite a few over the years - depending on the bloodline I have seen everything from 14hh and drafty to 16.2hh you’d swear it was a european warmblood types. Generally quiet but can be stubborn (passive resistance types) and haven’t seen one yet with bad feet.
[QUOTE=stoicfish;7998077]
What are you using them for?
These are all antidotal…[/QUOTE]
For what are they providing an antidote? :lol:
Sorry, stoicfish, I couldn’t resist! 
[QUOTE=Tradewind;7998537]
For what are they providing an antidote? :lol:
Sorry, stoicfish, I couldn’t resist! :D[/QUOTE]
I wasn’t vaccinated as a child… This is what happens. :lol:
Good all around horses for what you want this horse to do. Can be spooky rode one that even the other horses in the heard thought she was spooky, this one in perticular was not very athletic therefore she dumped me only once : sudden slam on the breaks as we came around and saw the whip I had dropped on the ground.
They live normaly sound usefully do their mid thirties, easy keeper ( something to be aware of as they can become overweight easily), if you are in cold climate they can be out with no blanckets even on freeezing nights in the winter. The only ones I have heard of becomming unsound are ones that people were trying to train to strenously for perticular usage ie: dressage, or hunting.
Good all arounder for most. The Canadian Horse have a couple of web cites you can look into, as you can also look into the family of the perticular individual you are wanting to by. Their are not that many families.
The ones most stubborn are half breds with QH which in most people I have talked to might work well physically but made them stubborn. Because as that goes the ones I have ridden were not that bad when it comes to stubborness.
I know a couple of breeders: I do not know that I can post such information on this forum.
Those who love Canadians, love them.
Personally, my only ambulance ride in 30 years of riding was courtesy of a Canadian. Stubborn, spooky, and in my case, dangerous are pretty accurate.
Flag on a mailbox he had seen a zillion times before? Spun me off so hard he dislocated my knee.
I can’t say I have met any I would want to bring home. And I’m Canadian 
Keep in mind that a horse used up to 6 times per day may go very differently and have a very differently personality when ridden once a day, or once every few days.
I was always raised that if I couldn’t say anything nice I shouldn’t say anything.
I won’t say anything, and there are LOTS of those things around our area.
I have one.
The good: She is very smart. She is pretty quiet. She is very sure footed; you would think you were riding an Arabian. She has a great jump. She had a naturally balanced trot and canter that required no work from me. She collects very easily. She is affectionate and very interactive…if you are working on something in the pasture or barn she is right there with you. She is a confident mare. She LOVES kids and horse-naive adults. She has great bone, big cannons and roomy knees. She is baroque if you like that sort of thing. Her favorite gait is whoa.
The bad: She will try to throw her weight around to get out of doing something. She is a dominant, alpha mare. I still struggle with getting her to lengthen her gaits. The Canadiens I have met, both at breeders & friends, all want to be up in your face…You have to teach them to stay out of your personal space. She is an easy keeper, I feel like I am starving her for half the year to keep her weight reasonable:( While she grows great horn and has thick sole, she hardly has any bars. So she wears front shoes or she bruises & abscesses. My trimmer has another Canadien with similar feet and it was his suggestion to put her in shoes. Her favorite gait is whoa.
The biggest challenge for me was getting used to reading a drafty breed. She is very subtle when she starts to worry about something unlike that overt reaction of some hotter breeds.
Feel free to PM me if you have more questions. Or I can put you in contact with some people who are deep into the breed so you can find out more about what line he is from. Some lines are known for being feisty.
Do you have his full registered name, it is 3 names. That will tell you where he was bred and the stallion name. And is a great info source.
What is the criteria for a Canadian Sport Horse??? % of TB or WB or just a registry that takes all $$ and applicants??
[QUOTE=crosscreeksh;7999555]
What is the criteria for a Canadian Sport Horse??? % of TB or WB or just a registry that takes all $$ and applicants??[/QUOTE]
Crosscreek, they are discussing the Canadian Horse. It’s a breed. They aren’t talking about a registry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_horse
Pretty interesting history.
[QUOTE=ahf;7999694]
Crosscreek, they are discussing the Canadian Horse. It’s a breed. They aren’t talking about a registry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_horse
Pretty interesting history.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the clarification. Someone sent me info on a Pinto colt who was double registered as a Canadian Sport Horse (not a Canadian Horse, I now realize)…What breed criteria are those??
I have a Canadien gelding. He is a teddy bear. Strong, black bay, opulent of mane and tail, gentle, very handsome, healthy, and trustworthy. He is built like a bigger old style Morgan and has the conformation of a driving/pulling horse(more upright shoulder) NOT spooky at all–and also not that enthusiastic about working (my other horse is an Arabian who adores being ridden, working together with me), though he is absolutely fine. Loves children and small animals. A good boy! Perfect husband horse for the trail–and this is his job. My husband loves him.
I owned a Canadien mare. She was the best horse ever. She looked like a giant morgan. She was very willing, very forward, very forgiving. She was not spooky. Trusted her completely. She was retired early because of an injury. Anyone who put their hands on her, fell in love with her. She was a big personality with a very kind heart. If I could find another like her, I would buy it in a second.
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