Horses Canada Arrival of Horses

Horses Canada

Arrival of Horses in Canada Prior to the Confederation

The arrival of horses in Canada before the confederation changed the history and culture of Canada indefinitely and helped shape society in Canada as we know it today. The purpose of this research proposal is to examine the arrival of horses in Canada prior to the confederation.

The researcher also intends to explore what impact the arrival of the horse has had on Canadian life and horse breeding. Specifically the researcher will attempt to answer the following research question: (1) how the arrival of the horse affected early Canadian society and helped shape the material culture and lifestyle of the people living in Canada at the time. The researcher will explore this question primarily by investigating society and culture in Canada prior to 1871 and examining the significance the arrival of horses had on society prior to and during the 1800s and even through modern times. In addition the researcher will examine what factors have shaped the modern day Canadian horse breed and consider how the modern Canadian horse impacts Canadian lifestyles compared with the historical impact the horse has had on Canadian society.

Currently there is a large gap in research related to the contributions horses have made to society aside from agriculture. Pervasive discussions in the past have focused on farming and the role farming has had economically and socially on farming in the past and present. The introduction of horses in Canada however impacted multiple aspects of Canadian culture aside from farming. Rural and urban dwellers gained significantly after the horse became a staple in modern Canadian society. People began associated life as enhanced and became motivated by improved opportunities for transportation and monetary gain among other factors (Hedley, 1988).

It is important that researchers understand the continuing significance the horse had on the generation in Canada then and now to recognize how the Canadian way of life has been shaped and molded. Many believe the Canadian Horse shaped the lives of early settlers within Canada and abroad (Crow, McNaught & Kenneth, 1964). Among the early responsibilities imparted to Canadian horses included transporting man and children, working farms and the land, pulling carriages and performing common agrarian work tasks.

Background to the Problem

The Canadian Horse today is often considered a utilitarian animal. The breed, a general purposes horse of sorts, offers a perfect solution for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers needing a utilitarian breed (Hambleton & Lanctot, 1963). The horse is often considered part of Canada's heritage. Specifically the researcher intends to determine what factors contributed to the arrival of horses in Canada and how the unusually well proportioned breed and docile animal emerged from the masses in the early 17th and 18th century (Putnam, 1952).

Many considered horses a source of power and social activity, as well as pride and prestige within Canada (Hedley, 1988). Horses enabled mechanization of many agrarian tasks and changed the way many farmers and other rural citizens underwent daily living. Researchers have continually explored the ways horses have transformed society both from a cultural and environmental standpoint.

Significance of Study

Hedley (1988) points out that it is vital to understand the extend and ways the "practices of agrarian households are constrained through their involvement in commodity" and through the emergence of new tools or practices (p. 67). Many people fail to realize the significance of seemingly small events such as the arrival of horses into agrarian lifestyles and rural developments in the 1800s.

At present there is relatively little research that has been conducted related to the impact the arrival of horses have had not only on farm households but also rural developments in general during the early 1800s and beyond. This paper will examine the impacts the arrival of the horses had on social existence and on productive processes so that researchers can better appreciate the relevance on history this change resulted in.

Discussion/Conclusions