Many people have followed our venture to preserve the last of Canada’s Suffield Mustangs since 4 pregnant mares, one wild stallion and one 4-month old stud cold made the long journey from the west in October 2002. We’ve come a long way since then. We have hosted an Open House every year to promote this truly Canadian Mustang. Each year we see many of the same faces and lots of new ones and are ecstatic to report that the Suffield Mustang is growing in popularity. We are facing a tough uphill climb as it is difficult enough to promote a “new” breed  but it is even more difficult to do it with so few horses. Why, do you ask, is the Suffield Mustang a “new” breed? Surely horses have run wild since North America was first settled! Yes they have but Suffield Mustangs are different as they have evolved in isolation without human influence since the 1960’s on the 200 square mile Suffield Military Base in South East Alberta. There they remained free and safe, strengthening their genetic qualities as only Mother Nature can do. Before 1994, it was impossible for anyone to own a Suffield Mustang, as they were fenced within the guarded military base. In 1994, government officials declared the wild horses were a threat to the local ecosystem and ordered all the wild horses removed from the base. This official government action would have meant the end of these living pieces of Canadian heritage, except that a few dedicated horsemen recognized the quality of these creatures from disappearing forever. This small collection of private individuals started the Suffield Mustang Association of Canada (SMAC) dedicated to preserving the breed. So the end of the wild Suffield horse marked the beginning of the Suffield Mustang as Critically Endangered, the last classification before becoming an inviable breed. Despite all this new recognition as part of Canadian history the Suffield Mustang that flourished untouched on Canada’s desolate prairies, still faces an uncertain future.

    As Suffield Mustang caretakers we face two problems; the first is keeping the bloodlines divers enough to allow the survival of the breed. Although the numbers of Suffield Mustangs are low, there appears to be sufficient bloodlines to survive with co-operation among breeders. The second problem is increasing awareness of the versatility of the Canadian Mustang. We know that the Suffield Mustangs are extremely athletic, quick to learn and love to please. We know from experience that they do well in ranch work, endurance, dressage, trail riding, rodeo, jumping and trick riding.

    In Western Canada the Suffield Mustangs have proven themselves game to trying anything and athletic enough to do well in many areas. Now they have to prove themselves in Eastern Canada. It seems easy; just encourage Mustang owners to become active in various pleasure and sporting activities. However, the dilemma we face, especially in Eastern Canada is only having very few Suffield Mustangs available for enthusiasts. To date, in Ontario, this dilemma is further intensified as only young stock, too young to ride, have been available.

    Marlborough Mustangs is the only Suffield Mustang breeding farm outside the PRairies. Started in 2002, our goals were to develop a genetically diverse breeding herd to produce hardy, athletic Mustangs with the quick to learn, eager to please temperament they are known for. 2006, found our breeding program on schedule. Our little herd had grown considerable and we are now the second largest Suffield Mustang her in Canada. We have meticulously tracked down different bloodlines to add to our breeding herd. We started with 4 mares, one stallion and one colt. Today were have 16 different maternal (female) lines and 2 adult paternal (male) lines present on our farm. We have future plans for further enhancing the genetic diversity by such practices as collecting and storing frozen semen, trading mares/stallion among breeders.

The First Suffield Mustang Foals on the Farm!

    We have also been actively training stock to make them available for equine enthusiasts interested in owning a great horse with a truly Canadian history. 2006 marked the first time we offered for sale Mustangs started under saddle! We are proud to inform you that there are now 9 enthusiastic Suffield Mustang owners here in Eastern Ontario. We are delighted that all of those who have purchased Mustangs from our farm have kept in touch and we are extremely excited that several owners have expressed an interest in breeding. We are also very happy to hear that the Mustangs that are 3 and 4 years old are now active trail horses and are continuing to make the breed proud. This year we are in the process of forming an Ontario Suffield Mustang Club to allow us to share in the enjoyment of our Mustangs and to combine our energy to help further promote one of Canada’s National Treasures.

    Our little breeding programme suffered some setbacks due to family illness but we have survived 2 1/2 years of downtime and 2010 marks the re-emergence of our farm back into progress mode. We have several Mustangs preparing for the 2010 show season, along with one starting her Pony Club career and hopefully, baring further setbacks, several embarking on their temporarily delayed endurance careers. So here’s to good health and further advancements for the Marlborough Mustangs!