Sable Island is a small island located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 191 km from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The island is known for its many wild horses that roam free on the island.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Sable Island Horse.
So whether you’re a seasoned horse enthusiast or just getting started, read on for everything you need to know about the Sable Island Horse!
Sable Island Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Sable Island Horse:
| Height (size) | 13.0 – 14.0 hands high |
| Colors | About half are bays, and the rest are chestnut, flaxen, and black with some white markings |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Common Uses | They are feral horses |
Sable Island Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
One of the most remote islands in the Canadian offshore region is Sable Island, which is located 180 miles (290 km) to the southeast of Halifax and 109 miles (175 km) from the nearest mainland point.
The theory that today’s feral residents are the descendants of horses that were introduced to the area by Boston minister Andrew le Mercier in 1737-1738 is the one that is generally accepted.
By the middle of the 18th century, the island also became home for horses confiscated from the Acadians by the British during the Expulsion of the Acadians (aka The Great Upheaval / Le Grand Dérangement).
Thomas Hancock left many of their horses, cows, sheep, goats and hogs on the island hoping they would reproduce and he could sell them later, but only the horses survived.
In the year 1801, when Canada’s first lifesaving station opened, some of the horses were put to work patrolling the beaches and pulling lifeboats.
For years, the island was infamously referred to as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, and in 1801, when Canada’s first lifesaving station opened, some of the horses were put to work patrolling the beaches and pulling lifeboats.
Due to advancements in navigation, the number of shipwrecks decreased as the years went on so by 1958, the lifesaving station had been shut down.
The following year, the herd of wild horses, which had increased to 250 individuals by that point, was deemed “surplus” by the Crown Assets Disposal Corporation in Ottawa.
As there were rumors that they would be shot and made into dog food, hundreds of schoolchildren wrote to Prime Minister at the time, John Diefenbaker, asking him to stop the cull.
Not only was the Crown Assets decision reversed in 1960, but the prime minister also promised that the herd would be conserved and protected.
The combination of natural selection and genetic drift (the random dispersion of genes), has resulted in the creation of a population that is distinct from any other.
They consume the plentiful marram, also known as beach grass, which covers about one third of the island.
On the western half of the island, they drink from the freshwater ponds; however, on the eastern half of the island, where there are no ponds, they dig for rainwater that collects beneath the sand.
During storms they gather in groups in the lee of dunes.
The horses were designated the official horse of Nova Scotia in 2008.
The island was officially added to the Parks Canada family in 2013, at which point its sandy coastlines were opened up to the general public.
Today, the herd is unmanaged and human involvement is prohibited by law.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“Sable Island Pony”
Temperament/Personality
n/a
Physical Characteristics
It is a pony-sized animal, but with a horse phenotype and horse ancestors.
They resemble Iberian horses, and have arched necks and sloped croups.
The tail is thick and set low.
Particularly during the colder months, the coats, manes, and tails of Sable Island horses become very long and shaggy.
They are overall short and stocky, and their short pasterns enable them to move easily on sandy and rough ground.
Colors
About half are bays, and the rest are chestnut, flaxen, and black with some white markings
Height (size)
13.0 -14.0 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
660 – 800 lbs (300 – 360 kg)
Blood Type
n/a
Common Uses
They are feral horses
Health
Due to their habitat, these horses consume a lot of sand, which over time wears down their teeth and blocks their digestive system.
Since there are no predators on the island, older horses often starve to death because their teeth are too worn down by sand and the tough grass they eat called marram.
It is also found that Sable Island Horses have around three times the level of parasite eggs in their feces than domestic horses.
Popular Traits
Feral horses who often exhibit a natural ambling gait
Feeding/Diet
Marram, a tough beach grass
Country of Origin
Canada
Ancestors
Iberian horse