Intro
Horses were re-introduced to Canadian territories by the French in the mid 17th century. A century later, First Nations in Alberta were using horses and their animals are probably the ancestors of feral herds found there today.
Origins
Wild horses in the area have bee documented as far back as 1807, later settlements of BC brought horses to work on ranches, in mining and logging. They also lost or released animals from time to time and similar to the herds found in the US, wild herds began to grow. This is still the case today.
These herds can be found along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and their numbers are subject to control (much like BLM herds in the US). Recently there has been concern over their affect on the grasslands where they graze. Today they are considered critically at risk and according to the Wild Horses of Alberta Society there were 1478 animals counted in 2024.
There are efforts to conserve the animals and stop the controversial annual culling by the government. It is thought the horses have Spanish Mustang (and possibly Andalusian) bloodlines that may be worth preserving.
Features
Average height 13.2 – 15 hands
Physique
Vary based on bloodlines but often carry Spanish Mustang characteristics
Traditional Colors
Solid colors
Temperament
Wild animals, but good mounts when tamed
Use
Riding horse
Cattle horse
Helpful Links
* all links open in a new window
Wild Horses of Alberta Society