The North Swedish Horse is a small and sturdy draught horse. The breed is a relatively recent creation, yet it probably draws some of its hardiness from the ancient horses of Scandinavia. Raised to work in the harsh environment of North Sweden, breeders often sell a North Swedish Horse as a reliable all-round farm and logging horse. Over time, a lighter, faster version has emerged that is a successful trotting horse. This is why many people like to buy a North Swedish Horse, as trotting is popular in Scandinavia.
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History and Origins
While no one is certain how long horses have been in Scandinavia, some evidence suggests they may have been in the region as long as four thousand years. It is likely that some of the ancient stock contributed to the modern breeds of Norway and Sweden. The Norwegian Dølehest, also known as the Dole Gudbrandsdal, is known to have made an important contribution to the creation of the North Swedish Horse. The Dølehest itself is a relatively modern breed, the Dølehest studbook dating to 1902, while the North Swedish Horse studbook dates to 1909.
Records of the Dølehest horse type dating to the early nineteenth century indicate that imported stallions were used to create the Norwegian Trotter. One of these was Odin, who may have been either a Thoroughbred or a Norfolk Trotter. It has also been speculated that horses of Friesian type may have been imported into Scandinavia in much earlier centuries and that they also contributed to the speed of the trotting horses. However, the modern Friesian is a relatively recent breed, and the horses of the Friesian traders of the medieval period need not have been similar to those of today.
In time, and with selective breeding, the Scandinavians have produced a very rare type of horse: the coldblooded trotter. The lighter type of North Swedish Horse is an excellent example of this. Originally associated with the area called Norrland, the breed is now bred more widely. From 1924 onward, the North Swedish Association has monitored the breeding of these useful, popular horses. In 1928, tests were brought in for breeding stock at the centre in Wången.
What is the character of North Swedish Horses?
The small cold-blooded horses have a good-natured nature, but are still hard-working and willing. That is why they are excellent as draught horses in front of the cart or as back horses in the forest.
Use and characteristics of the North Swedish Horse
In Sweden, the breed is known as the Nordsvensk Brukshäst or Nordsvensk HästNorth. North Swedish Horses average between 15 hands (60 inches/152 cm) and 15.3 hands (63 inches/160 cm) high. They weigh between 1210 lb/550 kg and 1650 lb/750 kg. The heads are usually straight in profile and set on short, strong necks.
Their backs are long and eminently suitable for drawing heavy loads. The legs are similarly strong, and short, with some feathering on the fetlocks. Swedish Horses have tough, round hooves. Their temperament is calm and reliable. They have the agility to work as logging horses in mountainous areas. The draught horse type is used as a versatile farming horse as well as in logging, while the lighter, faster trotting type is categorized as a cold-blood trotter. They can be any colour.
North Swedish Horses average between 15 hands (60 inches/152 cm) and 15.3 hands (63 inches/160 cm) high. They weigh between 1210 lb/550 kg and 1650 lb/750 kg.
North Swedish Horses in equestrianism and as work horses
The draught type continues to be a popular workhorse, particularly in logging, at which it excels. Many people also appreciate this type as steady, amiable riding horses. The harness racing trotters have developed into a sub-category of the breed. They have set world records as coldblooded trotters. Since 1949, the Country Horse Day fairs have been a popular annual event at which stallions and mares are presented and registered.
What is the character of North Swedish Horses?
The small cold-blooded horses have a good-natured nature, but are still hard-working and willing. That is why they are excellent as draught horses in front of the cart or as back horses in the forest.
