Canadien Lineage
~Submitted by Stephanie Hobbs~
Today there are eight male Canadian horse blood-lines: Viger, Brio/Fox, Royal, Becancour, Heneryville, Lou, Pitro, and Major. Each line brings something unique and although the numbers of horses have been fluctuating these traits are what make the Canadian horse the animal it is known to be.
The Viger line traces back to a bay stallion born on June 2, 1947 named Thomas de Viger. Until recently this line was the most prevalent. They are known for their traditional Canadian appearance and level headed temperament. One of Viger’s grandsons Pharraud produced several cream colored foals. 1,408 horse are registered under this line and they make up 31% of the Canadien population. Today there are 82 breeding stallions from this line.
The Brio/Fox line originates with a chestnut horse named Brio de la Victoire who was foaled June 2, 1958. These horses are most often black and have good looks. Although they are considered “hotter” than other lines, meaning they are more spirited and feisty, they are very athletic and have nice gaits. This is the most common line seen today with 1448 horses registered and 83 breeding stallions.
The Royal Line was a once common line that is now dwindling in numbers. The founding stallion was a black horse named La Gorgendiere Royal foaled on May 31, 1954. This line was thought to be a impure strain due to a mare being crossbred somewhere along the line, however this theory was proven wrong. As with all Canadians they are know for their pleasant nature and temperament. They have sizeable bones and are very good movers. Horses from this strain generally excel at jumping. They make up 15% of the Canadien horse population.
The Becanour Line is one of the lesser known bloodlines and is in need of preservation. The founder is Ste-Anne Marquis de Becanour, a black stallion who was born June 1, 1952. There is a wide range of horses in this line that vary in height and stockiness; however they all share the trademark good looks and nice temperaments. Gaited horses often are descendents of this line. 11% of Canadiens are of Beancour line and there are only 20 stallions left.
The Henryville Line comes from a chestnut stallion named Henryville Prince who was born June 17, 1963. Sadly this is a rapidly disappearing line. They are known for being docile and have a droopy lower lip when tired. This bloodline was extensively inbred yet shows no signs of genetic problems. They make excellent family horses because of their fantastic temperament bred into them due to their history as PMU horses where quiet good natured horses were needed. With only 313 horses of this line left they make up only 7% of the population.
The Lou line originates with a chestnut horse simply called Lou who was foaled June 17 1963. This stallion came from the older Canadien lines. This line was on the brink of extinction and is still struggling to stay above water. These horses are considered the “purest” of any other bloodline and show the qualities the Canadian horse is famous for. They also have a sloping croup and this helps make them have more flowing long strides. This line makes up 3% of the population.
The last two lines, the Pitro line (Originated by Pitro a black stallion foaled August 5, 1954) and the Major Line (founded by a black stallion named la Gorgendiere Major who was foaled May 14, 1955) both have no stallions remaining. The Pitro line makes up only about 2% of the Canadien horse population with 77 registered horses. The Major line makes up a mere .5% of all Cheval Canadien’s and only has 25 horses registered under its name.
Today there are eight male Canadian horse blood-lines: Viger, Brio/Fox, Royal, Becancour, Heneryville, Lou, Pitro, and Major. Each line brings something unique and although the numbers of horses have been fluctuating these traits are what make the Canadian horse the animal it is known to be.
The Viger line traces back to a bay stallion born on June 2, 1947 named Thomas de Viger. Until recently this line was the most prevalent. They are known for their traditional Canadian appearance and level headed temperament. One of Viger’s grandsons Pharraud produced several cream colored foals. 1,408 horse are registered under this line and they make up 31% of the Canadien population. Today there are 82 breeding stallions from this line.
The Brio/Fox line originates with a chestnut horse named Brio de la Victoire who was foaled June 2, 1958. These horses are most often black and have good looks. Although they are considered “hotter” than other lines, meaning they are more spirited and feisty, they are very athletic and have nice gaits. This is the most common line seen today with 1448 horses registered and 83 breeding stallions.
The Royal Line was a once common line that is now dwindling in numbers. The founding stallion was a black horse named La Gorgendiere Royal foaled on May 31, 1954. This line was thought to be a impure strain due to a mare being crossbred somewhere along the line, however this theory was proven wrong. As with all Canadians they are know for their pleasant nature and temperament. They have sizeable bones and are very good movers. Horses from this strain generally excel at jumping. They make up 15% of the Canadien horse population.
The Becanour Line is one of the lesser known bloodlines and is in need of preservation. The founder is Ste-Anne Marquis de Becanour, a black stallion who was born June 1, 1952. There is a wide range of horses in this line that vary in height and stockiness; however they all share the trademark good looks and nice temperaments. Gaited horses often are descendents of this line. 11% of Canadiens are of Beancour line and there are only 20 stallions left.
The Henryville Line comes from a chestnut stallion named Henryville Prince who was born June 17, 1963. Sadly this is a rapidly disappearing line. They are known for being docile and have a droopy lower lip when tired. This bloodline was extensively inbred yet shows no signs of genetic problems. They make excellent family horses because of their fantastic temperament bred into them due to their history as PMU horses where quiet good natured horses were needed. With only 313 horses of this line left they make up only 7% of the population.
The Lou line originates with a chestnut horse simply called Lou who was foaled June 17 1963. This stallion came from the older Canadien lines. This line was on the brink of extinction and is still struggling to stay above water. These horses are considered the “purest” of any other bloodline and show the qualities the Canadian horse is famous for. They also have a sloping croup and this helps make them have more flowing long strides. This line makes up 3% of the population.
The last two lines, the Pitro line (Originated by Pitro a black stallion foaled August 5, 1954) and the Major Line (founded by a black stallion named la Gorgendiere Major who was foaled May 14, 1955) both have no stallions remaining. The Pitro line makes up only about 2% of the Canadien horse population with 77 registered horses. The Major line makes up a mere .5% of all Cheval Canadien’s and only has 25 horses registered under its name.
Last updated by Nicki L. Velozo Jul. 15, 2008.
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Conway, NH 03818
(508) 468-7685 Christine
(603) 986-5159 Nicki
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