Origin
Sweden
History
The history of the Swedish horse parallels that of the people. Archaeological findings of horses have been dated to 4,000 B.C.. The ancient native Scandinavian horse was small, high spirited and had good endurance. The horses were kept outdoors in the woods and on moorland year around. Only the utility horses were kept at stud. As early as the 16th century steps were taken to improve horse breeding. The Swedish Warmblood was descended from horses imported in the 17th century and was originally a better-than-average cavalry horse. It was bred at the Stromsholm stud, founded in 1621, and at Flyinge, the Royal stud established in 1658 in Skane in southern Sweden. Stromsholm no longer exists as a stallion depot, but stallions are sent from Flyinge to stand at stations all over Sweden. The first imports, brought in from England, Denmark, Germany, France, Russia, Hungary, Turkey and Spain were very varied. The result was of such mixed pedigree that there could be no fixed type. Nonetheless, these horses, especially the Friesian and Spanish imports and those of oriental ancestry, produced active, strong horses when crossed with the small, rough local mares. In the 19th century and 20th centuries Thoroughbred, Hanoverian, Arabian and very importantly, Trakehner blood was introduced into the base stock to produce large and powerful horses that were increasingly fixed in type. Flyinge was careful to use the best Thoroughbred blood available.
The decade, from 1920 to 1930, plays an important part in the development of the breed. The three biggest influences were the Hanoverians Schwalibso, Tribun, and Hamlet, and the Thoroughbred Hampelmann. After the Second World War, the Trakehners, Heristal, Heinfried, Anno and Polarstern had a dominant effect upon the breed, especially Heristal who was a descendant of the great English racehorse Hyperion.
Prior to entering the stud book, all mares must meet minimum standards as riding horses, demonstrating riding qualities in walk, trot, and canter. Stallions must meet a very high standard concerning gaits as well as jumping ability. For the final approval for commercial breeding, they must also pass a stringent cross-country test.
Description
- Head:
nicely shaped, with a straight or convex profile, long ears and lively eyes - Conformation:
-well formed, long neck
-wide and deep chest
-sloped and well muscled shoulder
-prominent withers
-long and straight back
-broad, long and flat croup
-long, strong legs with good muscling and clean, broad joints
-solid and well formed hoof - Average height:
16.2 to 17 h.h. - Colour:
usually bay, brown, chestnut or grey - Temperament:
sound, tractable, and very versatile - Today:
they are well known as dressage horses of international caliber and also as show jumpers and event horses. They are also very good driving horses and have been imported in large numbers all over Europe and to the US.
