Equine Heritage Exhibit

Pure Bred Horses Wanted

To be a part of a unique exhibit that will preserve the history of “Alberta’s Equines for future generations

Equine Heritage Exhibit

Exhibit Outline;

The equine Heritage project will explore the richness and diversity of horses in the most ambitious photographic exhibit ever commissioned by the Provincial Archives Museum.

The photography of award winning Equine photographer Linda Finstad will. Showcase over 40 breeds, their origins and enduring contribution to Canadian culture.

Horses were not native to Alberta, this exhibit will tell the story of how and why they came here and the important role they played both in the past and in today’s culture.

This comprehensive collection of photographs and records will ensure that today’s

Horses of Alberta have a place in history.

Why create such an Exhibit?

It was well documented by early photographers;

The important part horses played in the development of Canada - Heavy Horses worked on farms and in the logging industry , quarter horses herded cattle across the prairies, Mules carried packs and a variety of breeds were used as riding horses and to pull horse drawn buggies and carriages, Horses were the most popular form of transport. a valuable commodity to be bought and sold (like cars) they went hunting and carried pioneers on long trips. No one can deny that horse were an important part of our culture.

Over the last hundred years a lot has changed in our society and so has the role of the horse.

However horses are our inheritance and they still play a very important part in our culture.

Their roles have changed dramatically. They no longer have such hard work to carry out and the breeds have changed and evolved to suit their new tasks.

Horses have not only survived modernisation they are still a very important part of Canadian culture. According to a study conducted in 2003 by the Alberta Horse Industry - there were 17,224 pure bred horses , which revealed there are more horses in Alberta then anywhere else in Canada.

Today’s most popular breed in Alberta is the Quarter horse, the Arabian and thoroughbred are in second and third place - paint was listed fourth and the Canadian warmblood came in fifth .

40 breeds in all were recorded to make up Alberta’s equine population.

I wonder how that number compares to the horse population of 100 years ago?

I am sure there is a much greater diversity of breeds and certainly they have proven to be more versatile than ever imagined by the early settlers. This is a chance to not only showcase but also preserve in history how adaptable and talented the horse is as he excels at a variety of different disciplines.

This unique and historical exhibit will document where the horse is today, what he looks like and his role in society. Because who knows what he will look like 100 years from now.

This will be a comprehensive study of all the breeds in Alberta and their modern day uses, using photography and journalism in an easy to follow then and now style.

How to participate;

If you can answer YES to any of the following questions

• A resident of Alberta
• Own or breed horses
• use horses to earn a living - ie.

  (sale, training, farming, tourism, exhibitions, competitions, racing, rodeo etc.

• Own horses that 100 years ago had a very different job than they do today. i.e. ponies that would have been used in the coal mines years ago - now have a much better life as pony club ponies

• Know the history of your horses and want their blood lines to be preserved for future generations.

We really want to hear from you!

Please e-mail Linda Finstad at info@asharperimage.ca and request your info pack

There is no cost to participate!

If you meet the mandate set by the Provincial Archive Museum for this project

Linda Finstad will contact you to arrange a Photo Shoot at your location and convenience.

The photo session will include;

o Classic conformation shots so comparisons can be made of how the breed has changed over the last hundred years (if it has)

o Action / Working shots - of your horses doing whatever tasks you keep them for.

o Liberty shots in open pasture or natural settings

o Horses with the owner / breeder - please be prepared to be in the picture - this is very important, after all you are the reason these horses are here in Alberta.

o Any other special interest pertaining to the breed - You know your horses better than anyone else and we are open to your suggestions and input on how to best represent your breed.

Information will be collected in the form of submitted questionnaires and recorded interviews

Photo Shoots will be conducted from April to October

Commencing April 2009 and hopefully completing the project by 2011

You can track the progress of this exhibit by visiting

www.imagineitsold.ca - click on Heritage