Canadian Horses – how do they compare?

Ed Byam of RE Quarter Horses sent us this little thought for today. Everywhere you go no matter what discipline or equine event you attend you always hear the comment that US bred horses are far more superior than Canadian bred horses. I was at a sale last weekend and this comment was made by someone standing in the crowd around the sale ring. An elderly rancher was standing close and overheard the comment. He turned to the fellow that made the comment. He asked if they minded  if he gave them his opinion on this matter. Of course no one made any objection. He said that he had taken over the family ranch when he was quite young. His ranch had bred and raised 100′s of horses since its beginning. And it was his opinion that, he has never seen a foal be born that, could do sliding stops, cutting cattle or anything else that makes a great horse. Granted a foal is born with some natural abilities of the sire and dam. But it takes a trainer or horseman to develop these abilities and make that horse excel and become great. He then asked everyone standing there to consider this. Does the US have better horses? Better  trainers? or owners with more money to spend to have superior horses? Something to consider isn’t it!
Let me know your thoughts Lynn.

Well, I guess my thoughts are that whenever I hear of Canadian horses competing internationally I frequently hear of them placing very well in the competition. Considering we have way less horses, trainers, owners and competitions here I think the quality of our horses meets or exceeds the U.S. horses. With shipped semen and the easy importation of horses we share most of the same bloodlines. I do notice though that a fair number of trainers head south when they get a bit of a reputation built up. Not sure if it is because they feel they get better horses, or owners, or more shows or just simply don’t like the Canadian winters. And I do agree that one of the biggest factors in a horse’s success in the show ring or on the trail is the quality of it’s training.

But I would be really interested in hearing what our visitors think about this. Whether Canadian or from the US or elsewhere please feel free to submit your opinion.

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