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[ INDEX ] Equine Type: Horse Breed: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Horse (RCMPH) [ PREV ] [ NEXT ]
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Horse (RCMPH) is a Canadian breed famous for its black coat and its role in the Canadian Police's Musical Ride.
The man behind the RCMPH:
Stuart Zachary Taylor Wood was 23 years old when he joined the RCMP in 1912 (then known as Royal North West Mounted Police [NWMP]). He served in various roles in the force, including a brief service in World War I.
In 1930, he visited the ruins of Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills -- which originally belonged to the NWMP until it was dismantled -- and fell in love with the place and its history. In 1933, in Regina, he founded the first ever RCMP museum. However, he didn't have much time to dwell in the NWMP's past, as one promotion followed another.
The transformative trip to London:
In 1937, Wood, then Assistant Commissioner, was chosen to lead the Canadian Coronation Contingent in the coronation of King George VI. Part of the duty included serving in the King's Guard.
The uniform black coat of the King's Guard's horses, combined with the red uniforms of the guards who rode them, made an unforgettable spectacle that left a deep mark on Wood.
The birth of an idea:
A year has passed since his trip across the pond, and Wood was appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner. Then, only a month into his new role, the acting commissioner died out of the blue, and Wood was appointed to replace him.
Equipped with years of experience in, and vast knowledge of, the RCMP, Wood decided to revolutionize the force, starting with the creation of its very own type of horse: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Horse.
British inspiration - Canadian execution:
The images of the King's Guard's black horses were still embedded in Wood's memory. He decided to adopt the British tradition, but with a Canadian twist that will both honor the RCMP's history and erect from the grave one of Canada's historic gems.
The ambitious project began in 1939 with the purchasing and breeding of black horses. Then, in 1942, Wood purchased the ruined Fort Walsh and rebuilt it so it will resemble the original fort while also accommodating horse breeding.
The RCMP was now breeding its very own horses on the grounds of its historic home of Fort Walsh.
Revolutionizing the RCMP:
In addition to creating the RCMPH, Wood also founded the first ever RCMP forensic lab and RCMP Band. He expanded wireless communications, and made the police more accessible to the Canadian population, among other initiatives.
Still, the black horses were forever his baby. Even after retiring from the force in 1951, aged 61, Wood continued to visit Fort Walsh and oversee the breeding project until his death in 1966.
The Canadian icon and the Musical Ride:
The red-uniformed Mounties riding their black horses became a Canadian icon and representatives of the RCMP in all events, including the coronations of Queen Elizabeth II (1953) and King Charles III (2023). They also gifted the new monarch with at least one RCMPH; Queen Elizabeth's famous mare Burmese was an RCMPH, as well as King Charles' Her Noble.
However, they are mostly famous for performing in an iconic Canadian event known as the Musical Ride, which dates back to 1887. During this 30-minute show, 32 Mounties ride their RCMPHs one-handed while executing various formations and drills that require great precision and obedience from the horses. As such, the breeding of RCMPHs is also geared towards producing the best horses for the Ride.
The RCMPH today:
In 1968, the RCMPHs were moved to a new facility in Pakenham, where they are still bred today. Originally, the breeding stock consisted of Thoroughbreds, but today only the blood of Hanoverians is incorporated into the breeding program.
RCMPHs start their training at the age of three and are constantly evaluated until their graduation at the age of six. Those who lack the looks or demeanor required to serve in the force are being sold to the public, as they excel as sport horses. Those who stay at the force perform various duties, including the Musical Ride.
Breeding RCMPH:
RCMPHs can be created by crossing a Thoroughbred with a Hanoverian (or Foundation Hanoverian). They can then be bred to a Hanoverian or another RCMPH. Crossing an RCMPH with a Thoroughbred is not allowed.
If using Hanoverians or Thoroughbreds, breeders must pay close attention to the color genetics of their stock. Ideally, they will be black horses who carry Extension EE. Any other color genetics might result in a non-black grade foal.
It's all about personality:
RCMPHs who lack the personality required to be good police and musical-ride horses are kicked out of the breeding program.
The same is true in Horse Isle. RCMPHs must be very brave, easygoing, and social, or else they incur a 100% penalty. When it comes to being energetic, a follower, or playful, lacking any of those will incur a heavy penalty but won't disqualify from registration.
Conformation:
In Horse Isle, RCMPHs exhibit slight variations in conformation, with some resembling a Hanoverian while others resembling a Thoroughbred.
Performance metrics:
The following are the: range, average, (SD), and MOE of performance metrics of ordered RCMPHs in Horse Isle (not bred ones). In rare cases, horses might have metrics outside of the range. Breeders can produce horses that are beyond this range.
Speed: 15.9-17.4, 16.6 (0.3), 0.05.
Sprint: 46-59, 53 (3), 0.54.
Accel: 0.91-1.11, 1.01 (0.04), 0.01.
Decel: 0.87-1.00, 0.95 (0.03), 0.01.
Jump: 5.33-5.53, 5.43 (0.04), 0.01.
Pull: 1.83-2.41, 2.10 (0.11), 0.02.
Turning: 54.95-64.72, 60.30 (2.16), 0.42.
Reverse: 2.9-3.3, 3.2 (0.1), 0.02.
Stamina: 48.78-53.72, 51.13 (0.90), 0.18.
Reaction: 0.63-0.74, 0.69 (0.03), 0.01.
Coats & Height:
Coat: always solid black. It can be sooty but never dappled. Facial markings, especially stars, are common. Leg markings occur but are kept to a minimum.
Height: 16hh to 17hh.
The man behind the RCMPH:
Stuart Zachary Taylor Wood was 23 years old when he joined the RCMP in 1912 (then known as Royal North West Mounted Police [NWMP]). He served in various roles in the force, including a brief service in World War I.
In 1930, he visited the ruins of Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills -- which originally belonged to the NWMP until it was dismantled -- and fell in love with the place and its history. In 1933, in Regina, he founded the first ever RCMP museum. However, he didn't have much time to dwell in the NWMP's past, as one promotion followed another.
The transformative trip to London:
In 1937, Wood, then Assistant Commissioner, was chosen to lead the Canadian Coronation Contingent in the coronation of King George VI. Part of the duty included serving in the King's Guard.
The uniform black coat of the King's Guard's horses, combined with the red uniforms of the guards who rode them, made an unforgettable spectacle that left a deep mark on Wood.
The birth of an idea:
A year has passed since his trip across the pond, and Wood was appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner. Then, only a month into his new role, the acting commissioner died out of the blue, and Wood was appointed to replace him.
Equipped with years of experience in, and vast knowledge of, the RCMP, Wood decided to revolutionize the force, starting with the creation of its very own type of horse: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Horse.
British inspiration - Canadian execution:
The images of the King's Guard's black horses were still embedded in Wood's memory. He decided to adopt the British tradition, but with a Canadian twist that will both honor the RCMP's history and erect from the grave one of Canada's historic gems.
The ambitious project began in 1939 with the purchasing and breeding of black horses. Then, in 1942, Wood purchased the ruined Fort Walsh and rebuilt it so it will resemble the original fort while also accommodating horse breeding.
The RCMP was now breeding its very own horses on the grounds of its historic home of Fort Walsh.
Revolutionizing the RCMP:
In addition to creating the RCMPH, Wood also founded the first ever RCMP forensic lab and RCMP Band. He expanded wireless communications, and made the police more accessible to the Canadian population, among other initiatives.
Still, the black horses were forever his baby. Even after retiring from the force in 1951, aged 61, Wood continued to visit Fort Walsh and oversee the breeding project until his death in 1966.
The Canadian icon and the Musical Ride:
The red-uniformed Mounties riding their black horses became a Canadian icon and representatives of the RCMP in all events, including the coronations of Queen Elizabeth II (1953) and King Charles III (2023). They also gifted the new monarch with at least one RCMPH; Queen Elizabeth's famous mare Burmese was an RCMPH, as well as King Charles' Her Noble.
However, they are mostly famous for performing in an iconic Canadian event known as the Musical Ride, which dates back to 1887. During this 30-minute show, 32 Mounties ride their RCMPHs one-handed while executing various formations and drills that require great precision and obedience from the horses. As such, the breeding of RCMPHs is also geared towards producing the best horses for the Ride.
The RCMPH today:
In 1968, the RCMPHs were moved to a new facility in Pakenham, where they are still bred today. Originally, the breeding stock consisted of Thoroughbreds, but today only the blood of Hanoverians is incorporated into the breeding program.
RCMPHs start their training at the age of three and are constantly evaluated until their graduation at the age of six. Those who lack the looks or demeanor required to serve in the force are being sold to the public, as they excel as sport horses. Those who stay at the force perform various duties, including the Musical Ride.
Breeding RCMPH:
RCMPHs can be created by crossing a Thoroughbred with a Hanoverian (or Foundation Hanoverian). They can then be bred to a Hanoverian or another RCMPH. Crossing an RCMPH with a Thoroughbred is not allowed.
If using Hanoverians or Thoroughbreds, breeders must pay close attention to the color genetics of their stock. Ideally, they will be black horses who carry Extension EE. Any other color genetics might result in a non-black grade foal.
It's all about personality:
RCMPHs who lack the personality required to be good police and musical-ride horses are kicked out of the breeding program.
The same is true in Horse Isle. RCMPHs must be very brave, easygoing, and social, or else they incur a 100% penalty. When it comes to being energetic, a follower, or playful, lacking any of those will incur a heavy penalty but won't disqualify from registration.
Conformation:
In Horse Isle, RCMPHs exhibit slight variations in conformation, with some resembling a Hanoverian while others resembling a Thoroughbred.
Performance metrics:
The following are the: range, average, (SD), and MOE of performance metrics of ordered RCMPHs in Horse Isle (not bred ones). In rare cases, horses might have metrics outside of the range. Breeders can produce horses that are beyond this range.
Speed: 15.9-17.4, 16.6 (0.3), 0.05.
Sprint: 46-59, 53 (3), 0.54.
Accel: 0.91-1.11, 1.01 (0.04), 0.01.
Decel: 0.87-1.00, 0.95 (0.03), 0.01.
Jump: 5.33-5.53, 5.43 (0.04), 0.01.
Pull: 1.83-2.41, 2.10 (0.11), 0.02.
Turning: 54.95-64.72, 60.30 (2.16), 0.42.
Reverse: 2.9-3.3, 3.2 (0.1), 0.02.
Stamina: 48.78-53.72, 51.13 (0.90), 0.18.
Reaction: 0.63-0.74, 0.69 (0.03), 0.01.
Coats & Height:
Coat: always solid black. It can be sooty but never dappled. Facial markings, especially stars, are common. Leg markings occur but are kept to a minimum.
Height: 16hh to 17hh.
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