The sturdy Jutland, also known as den jyske hest, is a draught horse from Denmark. These powerful horses with gleaming chestnut coats are a popular sight on the streets of Copenhagen, where the Carlsberg Brewery uses Jutland horses to draw their drays. They are willing and easy-going, so choosing to buy a Jutland is a good option for newcomers entering the world of draught horses. They are rare beyond their own homeland so it’s usually specialist breeders who will sell a Jutland.
Use and characteristics of the Jutland horses
Standing between 15 hands (60 inches/152 cm) and 16.1 hands (65 inches/165 cm), the strong Jutland breed weighs in at 1,430 pounds (650 kg) to 1,760 pounds (800 kg). They are very attractive horses with plenty of hair on their legs, and flaxen manes and tails. In years gone by when farmers and tradesmen decided to buy a Jutland horse, the base coat colors were bay and black. Today, the range of coat colors also includes grey and roan, but the glorious chestnut coat for which they are famous, has taken on the status of a national color in Denmark. Most breeders, who sell a Jutland horses, will have horses of this color.
Origin and history of breeding Jutland horses
The Jutland horse is a breed of horse that originated in the Jutland peninsula of Denmark. They have been used for centuries for heavy farm work and as a draft horse. The Jutland horse was originally bred by crossing native Danish mares with stallions of the Belgian, German, and Dutch heavy horse breeds. The breed was officially recognized in the late 19th century, and breeding programs were established to preserve and improve the breed. During World War II, the Jutland horse population declined drastically due to a lack of food and breeding stallions. However, in the post-war period, the population of Jutland horses began to recover and the breed has been used primarily for agriculture and forestry work, as well as for riding and driving. Today, Jutland horses are considered a rare breed, with a small but dedicated group of breeders working to preserve and promote the breed.
Jutland horses in equestrianism
In the 1950s, 15,000 Jutlands were registered and today the breed numbers approximately 1000. As well as their brewery work, Jutland horses are popular at shows and other events. A sculpture by Helen Schous "Den Jyske Hingst", the Jutland Stallion, is a tribute to the breed in Randers, where there was a famous horse fair.
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