Finnhorse

Finnhorse : The country of origin of the Finnhorse is Finland. Its 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 its 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 trotters success. All Finnhorses mature slower than lighter breeds, so they start with harness racing at age of four.