Canada
Horse/Light Horse |
Pony |
As modern as Canada is today, there are many
horses. They remain indispensable on the cattle ranches. Canadian
rodeos and the Calgary Stampede, in particular, are the mecca of every cowboy,
and as entertainment they are famous throughout the world. Trail riding is
increasingly popular. Many of the larger hotels such as Jasper Park Lodge
in the Jasper National Park, Alberta, employ their own cowboys and horses.
They take parties of guests, experienced riders or not, on unforgettable tours
through the forests and along the shores of vast lakes, with the splendid peaks
of the Rockies towering above. As part of the day's adventure, the party
may see glimpses of elk and mule deer and sometimes a bull moose.
In 1873, three troops of fifty men each were formed to
administer Saskatchewan and other vast regions, at that time all "without law,
order, or security for life or property. . ." These men were the first
North West Mounted Police, ultimately the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who
with their horses eventually brought justice and peace to white and red men
alike and founded a tradition of integrity and efficiency that is respected
everywhere. Today the Mounties are highly mechanized, but they still
retain a number of horses for ceremonial occasions and for their famed and
spectacular Musical Ride. These police horses, all blacks or browns, are
bred from half-bred mares and Thoroughbred
sires.
In addition to the above-mentioned breeds, Canada is or was
also home to the French-Canadian cob and the Walpole Island pony.
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