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Nature

Canadian Horse

What is canadian horse?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Breed name Canadian horse[1]
French name cheval canadien[1]
Origin Canada[1]
Main uses riding and driving[1]
Status National Horse of Canada[1]
Nickname Little Iron Horse / Petit Cheval de Fer[1]

The Canadian horse is a strong, well-muscled breed from Canada, used for riding and driving, and is the National Horse of Canada.

Context

The Canadian horse, known in French as *cheval canadien*, is a strong, well-muscled breed from Canada, used for riding and driving [1]. It was declared the National Horse of Canada in April 2002 [1]. The breed descends from horses sent by King Louis XIV to the New World in the late 1600s [1]. It is the oldest horse breed in North America and served as foundation stock for the Morgan and Standardbred breeds [1]. The Canadian horse has remained distinct through limited outside-breed influence for hundreds of years [1].

Documented claims

  • The Canadian horse descends from horses sent by King Louis XIV to the New World in the late 1600s. [1]
  • It is the oldest horse breed in North America. [1]
  • It served as foundation stock for the Morgan and Standardbred breeds. [1]
  • The breed has remained distinct through limited outside-breed influence for hundreds of years. [1]

Questions and answers

What is a Canadian horse called?

It is called the Canadian horse, or *cheval canadien* in French [1].

What are Canadian horses good for?

They are generally used for riding and driving [1].

Sources

  1. Canadian Horse (Canadian Horse) - Picture Nature — pictureanimal.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature