The country of origin of the Finnhorse is Finland. It’s the official national horse breed and the only breed that is native to that country. The other names of the breed are Finnish horse, Finskt kaldblod (Swedish), suomenhevonen (Finnish) and Finnish Universal (English, due the ability to fulfill many needs, from farming, forestry, harness racing and riding). They have relatively small bodies and are heavy enough for riding but light to be an excellent draft animal.
The history of the breed is extensive, but it’s not so clear about the development of the breed. The beginnings are dating back to the 13th century, descending from the Northern European domestic horse. A need for an all-purpose animal in Finland contributes a development of a warmblood that was influenced of heavier draft horse.
The most common and typical coat color of the Finnhorse is chestnut (even 90%) and they can also have white markings on the face and the legs with flaxen mane and tail. Other colors that occur at the breed are grey, bay, roan, palomino and black is one of the rarest. The Finnhorse stand approximately between 15-17 hands high.
There are hour types within the Finnhorse stud book and each of them are bred for different goals. The first is the light Trotter type, used for racing. An official Finnhorse harness racing championship called Kuninkuusravit (Royal Races) began in 1924 and since then is annually held. They are characterized with a light yet muscular confirmation, long body and long legs. To be registered in the stud book they have to meet certain racing standards, be judged by the national equestrian organization- Suomen Hippos and their temperament. They have a separate breeding section in the stud book since 1965 (Trotter section (J)) and are the fastest coldblood breed. The champion of the Finnhorse racing stallion in 2010 was Vieskar. Individuals of the trotter- type hold records for many years and are successful against other coldblood trotter Scandinavian breed. A heavy forehead and over angulated hind legs may be common features within the breed, which can hinder a trotter’s success. All Finnhorses mature slower than lighter breeds, so they start with harness racing at age of four. However, the Finnish bylaws accept Finnhorsesfor competition from ages 3-16. A stallion that was foaled in 1917, named Murto 2306, was distinguish from all the others and ahead of his time, in speed and type.
The second is the Draught type, used for heavy draft work. It’s the oldest than the other types and was the first to split in the stud book, since 1924 in a Working section (T). It has a longer body, though is relatively small compared to the Trotter and the Riding type. They are characterized with a special technique of pulling heavy loads due their efficient body stature during the pulling, able to pull 110 % of their own body weight and in competitions more than 200 % of their own weight. To be registered in the stud book the draft-type must pass a walking and a pulling test. The score is achieved from these two tests, as well for their confirmation, disposition and gaits.
The third is the Riding type, which is suitable for adults and children. It’s been divided in a separate section in the studbook since 1971 (Riding section R)). To be accepted in the registry book, individuals of the Finnhorse breed have to carry themselves well, they must have a long neck, small head, sloping shoulder, not so long body and well-defined withers. The temperament is also quite distinctive and livelier. As the others, the Riding-type has to pass dressage and ride ability tests; a jumping evaluation and it must possess clean gaits.
And the fourth is the Pony-sized type (P), which although small, has the same body proportion and movement as the other types. To be registered they have to stand no more than 14.2 hands, but still to express all the qualities of a full-sized Finnhorse, especially their disposition and pass a drivability or a ride ability test. This type is used for riding and racing, as well for light, but not for heavy draft work. This type is especially prized for therapy riding and for riding children in schools.
The first stud book was opened in 1907 and today it contains four sections, which we described above. Today the majority among the Finnhorse types are trotter-type, of whom 2000 are in training and 3000 are competing in harness races. The population number of the trotter type was declined during the 20th century, but thanks to the recent interest of harness racing, their number raised again there are only 1000 draught- type Finnhorses and though the oldest, they are considered to be the second rarest than the other types. Actually the rarest is the Pony-sized type with only approximately 80 stallions and 420 mares alive.
As the breed is divided into four types, there isn’t a specific physical confirmation, but the breed can shortly be described as a strong, versatile horse with pleasant nature. However, the breed standard describes a very well muscled horse with good bones. The head is dry with straight profile and short, well spaced ears. The neck is well shaped; the body is long, but rounded; and the legs are sturdy dry with little feathering and strong hooves. The mane and tale are typically thick.
There are many breeds that influenced the Finnhorse, such as the Orlov trotter that was widely used for crossbreeding with them. Friesians and Oldenburgs were used for crossbreeding throughout the 17th century. Other horse breeds that have influence are: the Arabian, Andalusian, the Russian Don, the Norfolk trotter and many others. But the breed itself also had an influence on other horse breeds, as: the Russian Vyatka horse, the Tori; the Lithuanian draft, the Estonian etc.
Solve a puzzle and see an image of a beautiful, athletic horse breed. Rearrange the pieces of the jigsaw, by using your mouse and make them match with each other, so you’ll get a final image and see one of the best known breeds in the world. The Finnhorse is strong, durable, willing to work, with robust health and long lifespan. They are cooperative and easy to handle, well mannered, lively, alert, kind, hardy and a versatile breed.