Breed Profiles

The Fantastical Friesian

Updated:

March 21, 2020

stonecreek friesians, 2-horse friesian carriage

The Friesian horse’s striking looks, long flowing hair, and expressive gaits make these “Black Pearls” a sight to behold. It is also a horse with a rich history and an endearing temperament. Ask any Friesian enthusiast and they will tell you these horses are creatures of dreams and fantasies.

The Gorgeous Gypsy Vanner Horse

Updated:

March 27, 2019

gypsy vanner, gypsy horse, once upon a time, feathered hooves, gypsy cob

Like some fantasy creature of legend or a magical steed from a fairy tale come to life, so the Gypsy Vanner Horse seems. Its enormous power and presence, made unintimidating by the gentleness of its nature, adorned with an abundance of flowing mane, tail, and feathers, make it a breed that attracts a crowd of new admirers wherever it goes.

In Praise of the Percheron

Updated:

March 21, 2019

Percheron horse, percheron parade horses, percheron transportation, percheron agricultural work, percheron cavalry horse, percheron heavy artillery horse, percheron meat horse, percheron carriage horse, percheron farm horse, percheron logging horse, percheron saddle horse, Shady Creek Farm, Lucasia Ranch, Percheron matrilineal line, Canadian Percheron Association, Norman-Percherons

The Percheron demonstrates its quality of performance as a sport and pleasure horse in addition to its better-known role in transportation and agricultural work. The breed is distinguished by an elegance, style, and alertness typical of a light horse, but with the calm temperament of a large draft.

Przewalski’s Horse – Wild No More?

Updated:

February 19, 2019

Przewalski Horse, are Przewalski Horses wild?, evolution of Przewalski Horse, Przewalski Horse Chernobyl

Recently, genetic research published in the journal Science showed that the Przewalski’s horse, also known as the Mongolian wild horse and the Takhi, was actually not wild as defined by its heritage but descendants of the horses first domesticated by Botai people of Kazakhstan over 5,500 years ago.

The Clydesdale Champion of Carp: Stan Carruthers

Updated:

January 24, 2019

Clydesdale horse, Stan Carruthers, Gordon Carruthers Sr, Clydesdales, Eastern Regional Clydesdale Association, Clydesdale breeding program

Born in 1940, Stan Carruthers of Carp, Ontario, was predestined to work with Clydesdales. “My grandfather was a stallioneer in Carp, and he used to have Percherons,” explains Stan. “In 1922, he sold his Percheron and bought a Clydesdale stallion. That’s how the love affair began.”

For the Love of Alberta’s Wild Horses

Updated:

December 23, 2017

Alberta’s Wild Horses, The Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) June Fox, FotosbyFox

The Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) was formed in 2002 after public outcry over the destruction of several wild horses that lived in the mountains and foothills of the eastern slopes of Alberta. Their mission is to ensure the provision of all aspects of conservation and humane treatment of wild horses in Alberta, and they are committed to the preservation of these magnificent animals in their natural environment.