Shabraque

A family run breeding facility and horse transportation, dedicated to propagating knowledge about "Le Petite Cheval en Fer" and restoring its numbers off the endangered list.

Shabraque is a family run Horse Transportation, and Breeding Facility dedicated to breeding Canada's National Horse, the Canadian. The Canadian Horse is the oldest breed developed in North America, and is descended from stock sent to the colony of New France in the 1665 by Louis XIV. These royal horses were developed from Norman and Breton horses, various other saddle breeds, and heavy drafts. The colonists used these horses for everything from plowing to riding to pulling carts. The horses bred in isolation for two hundred years surviving the Quebec winters. The Canadian is known for its strength, even temperament, and ability to perform whatever task is asked of it; from pulling wagons to show jumping, the Canadian can do it all. As one of the oldest breeds in North American, many other breeds developed here have Canadian roots. Breeds such as the Morgan, Tennessee Walker, American Saddlebred, etc were developed from the Canadian Horse. Unfortunately, such widespread use of the Canadian is what led to its decline. Because of their strength, temperament, and utilitarian nature, many Canadian Horses were used in wars, such as the American Civil War, the Boer War, and WWI. As the animals were often killed or generally abandoned after the wars, the Canadian Horse is now on the endangered list.

Shabraque itself also follows a military history. Owner Steve Critchley served with the Canadian Forces, and upon retirement, sought to honour those who served while renewing Canada's History. The word Shabraque itself is old military parlance meaning "regimental saddle cloth". All foals born at Shabraque are named after fallen Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians).