Origin: Finland
Color: The preferred color is chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail although any color is accepted except skewbald.
Avg Height: 15.2 to 17.2 hh
Avg Weight: 1270 lbs
Build: Often small and light framed for a draft, although size varies. The head is long and the neck is short. The body tends to be long with muscular hindquarters that often slope to a croup that may be higher than the flattish withers. The legs are strong, short and slightly feathered.
Temperament: Intelligent with a quiet, willing temperament.
Main use: Forestry and agriculture, courses (trotting races).
Special abilities: More common than the lighter type of this breed, the Finnish Universal. Both types are compact, long-lived animals, combining a quiet, willing temperament with surprising strength, speed, liveliness, and courage. All-round horse (trotter, riding, work, small horse).
History: Developed from local native pony stock crossed with imported stallions of many breeds, both warm-blood and cold-blood, the Finnish horse has derived many useful qualities from its mixed parentage. This breed was recognized in 1907 when its studbook was opened. The modern Finnish Draft was bred from a heavier pulling horse and a lighter Finnish horse called the Universal. Today, breeding stock is performance tested to ensure that only the best working horses with correct conformation are registered. This horse is also tested for its trotting ability to ensure this valuable trait is continued.
For Breeders, Farms, and Studs of this breed, click here.
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