New-York tribune., 1910-10-23
CANADA'S HORSE REVIVAL
Government to Establish a Reg.
istrY for the French Breed

Horsemen in Canada are greatly inter-
csted In the recent action OF the federal
government at Ottawa in giving authority
tor the establishment of a stud book In
winch the F'rench-Canadian type OF horse
Will be eligible for registration.
There was a time when this breed was
distinctive Of the Province of Quebec, but
outcrosses with unsuitable stations, chiefly
Clydes and Belgians. have practically ex-
terminated the type which once was pre-
dominant There are. however, In a few
districts some good specimens still. and an
effort is to be made toward rehabilitating
the breed.
The true French-Canadian horse OF half
a century ago was a stout bodied animal
on short legs. He had many OK the quail
ties OF the Morgan. although as a rule much
larger than his American cousin, and there
is little reason TO doubt that many Nor
gans brought from Maine and Vermont
across the Canadian border were used in
the stud throughout Quebec and that some
Of the most priced of the French-Canadian
horsss had q strong infusion Of Morgan
blood.
Their trappy action and lightness OK foot
showed that, IL being no extraordinary
thing to ind horses of fourteen hundred
pounds and more capable of 2:4o speed.
with the bend of the knee and the fiex of
the neck that are the delight OF every man
who knows the horse and what is most de-
sirable in gait
That the thoroughbred sires and mares
brought from England by the cavalry on1-
GERS in the early days were the parent
stock there is no dispute, says Montreal
letter IN The Boston Advertiser" The
fine muzZles, clean throttles and broad. fat
legs, With tendOns like ivory, would be an
ID 70 naN Of a.
ing; but there Is still more tangible evi-
dence in the knowledge Cleaned from men
Of the type OF the late Etienne St Ger
main, Of Montreal. who bought and sold
horses all over Quebec and Ontario Tor
more than sixty-fve years. He handled
thousands Of the French-C Canadian horses
and was an authority on the breed, the
disappearance OF which he never failed TO
deplore. His belief was that the sturdy
mares brought from France by the original
settlers OF Quebec, crossed with the thor
oughbred and the Morgan, was the original
In the American Civil War many thou
sands Of the desirable animals which in
any kind Of service were bought by agents
OF the United States and sent to the front,
speedily became famous. The horses or the
day. from 1861 TO 1866. were described by
St. German as being Of an average weight
OF twelve hundred pounds They had hne,
small heads, with prominent eyes.
Their ears were Hne and ran 20 a point,
and when they were raised the tips almost
touched. so beautifully were they set Inc
largest specimens, where any coarseneSs
would be looked for, and the neck. while
often short. was Indicative OF strength
rather than of mOngrel breeding. Their
shoulders were well placed and the back
so short and the coupling so close that the
source OF their marvellous strength was
apparent.
Their most distinguished characteristic
was their heavy names. tails and foretops-
the hair Of the former invariably raining 10
the point OF the shoulder and often 10 the
knee while the bottom of the tai In many
instances reached the ground IN the cases
of the stations the names had 10 be turned
on alternate sides Of the neck in successive
years to prevent the crest from oelng puAIeE
out OF shape. so heavy was the mass OF
hair. - .,-
their inches they could Outpun any horse
in the world Used in the heavy snoWs OI
the long winters where they were often
IN n their hacks in the lumber woods and
sharply shOd, il was rare thing 1or lhe41i
TO cut themselves ,,
horse will struggle when placed in IKE
position. and # shod sharply will tear MS
legs 70 pieces in Wild scramble
mot so the French Canadian. he VIII
settle down in the soft, yielding mass;
waiting the command Of his driver ano
when he is told 70 'Trarche II Is q piC'uLI p ~
10 see him set his splendid shoulders IN the
collar and hang in the traces with IluscleS
buIging until the load moves 1heIe Is
none az the wild flying and plungins AT the
load which Is characteristic OF some horseS.
THE Canuck knows hoT 70 utllze ms
strength. and once the load is in motfoh ne
keeps on until restrained. 81,
ssITI7er sunday comes ne takes the Family
10 mass at q round trot OF from ten 10
-v-alve miles an hour. and perhaps on the
road nome, II Francois Hippolyte or Jean
Reptiste should happen along with chlp
on his shoulder. the naSs can put Ut,
snirited race and show a r1atchless purity
Of action for they all have that round
hooplike swing that carries them over Ine
ground without boot or weight, alo SEod
R1- the country blacksmith in any style ms
native fancy dictates, the trotttng instinct
sz