CHAPTER V. 



THE FRENCH CANADIAN HORSE. 



Early imported into Canada from France — Climatic influence on Canadian 

 horses — Hardiness and utility — Canadian blood in the American 

 trotter and pacer — Noted Canada horses imported to the United States 

 — Surry, dam of Henry Clay, a Canadian. 



THE early settlers of Canada came from France, bringing 

 their horses with them. France, like England, contains 

 several breeds of horses, of which the most desirable are from 

 Normandy ; at least that was the case years ago before the 

 advent of the Percheron. 



As the first settlers of this country needed horses and the 

 horses must be brought from France, their mother country, 

 and as the distance was too long and freights too high to 

 attempt importing any but the best, it is presumed that of 

 such were their early importations. 



It may safely be inferred that in those days the Norman or 

 Percheron horse of France was far inferior in all respects to 

 the Percheron horse of that country to-day, after having been 

 improved with the blood of the Arabian. 



These French horses were brought over into lower Canada 

 in the early settlement of the colony, and for many years 

 formed the principal horse stock of Canada. The rigor of the 

 climate and the scarcity of fare materially reduced their size 

 from that of their French ancestors ; still, they retain to this 

 day the same strong make-up and general characteristics 1;hat 

 render them distinguishable from any and all other breeds. 

 They constitute a race of easy-keeping, sound-constitutioned, 

 and long-lived horses. From their strong, compact form they 

 can command their strength to great advantage, and there is 

 nothing in the shape of horseflesh to-day that can stand the 



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