North Swedish Horse

The North Swedish Horse or Nordsvensk Brukshäst is a Swedish breed of small heavy horse. It is closely related to the similar Dølehest breed of Norway. It was traditionally used for forestry and agricultural work. Lighter lines are bred for harness racing, and are registered in the stud-book of the Svensk Kallblodstravare (Swedish Coldblood Trotter).

History
The origins of the North Swedish Horse are not clear. It appears to derive from selective breeding of local horses, possibly with some influence from Friesian stock in the distant past. During the nineteenth century there was considerable cross-breeding of Swedish rural horses with imported stock of various types, both light and heavy, to the point that it was feared that the original type might be lost. In Dalarna a local veterinary surgeon named Wilhelm Hallander Hedemora started a movement to recover and preserve the remaining stock. Dølehest stallions were imported from Norway, and in 1900 the breed was officially recognised as the Nordsvenska Hästen. In 1903 a stud farm was established at Wången, in Alsen in Krokom Municipality in Jämtland. A stud-book was started in 1909, and the first volume published in 1915.

In 1966 the breed was divided into two sub-types – a lighter type suitable for trotting, and a heavier one better suited to forestry work.

In the twenty-first century, breeding of the North Swedish Horse is strictly controlled, and animals intended for breeding are thoroughly tested, principally for good character, pulling capacity and fertility. The legs and hooves are examined by X-ray.

Characteristics
The North Swedish Horse is agile and easy to train. Its conformation is compact and robust, while being relatively light for a draught horse. Regarding its small size it is very strong and durable, and it has an energetic, long-strided trot. The horses are gentle and willing, long-lived and generally healthy.

Use
The North Swedish Horse is one of the few cold-blood breeds used in harness racing. Lighter North Swedish lines bred as trotters are registered in the stud-book of the Svensk Kallblodstravare or Swedish Coldblood Trotter. A world speed record for coldblood trotters of 1:17.9 per kilometre was set in 2005 by Järvsöfaks, who was partly of Swedish and partly of Dølehest lineage.

Heavier North Swedish Horses are well suited to agricultural and forestry work. They are also used for recreational riding and driving.