Finnish Universal

Origin: Finland

Color: Usually chestnut, although bays and blacks are occasionally seen, and often with white markings.

Avg Height: 14.3 to 15.2 hh

Avg Weight: 1100 to 1280 lbs

Build: Ears are small and pointed and eyes are gentle. Strong neck of average length that is not well set-on, and withers are quite pronounced. Rather short back, sloping croup and low-set tail. Its chest is high and deep, its muscular shoulder is fairly sloping, and its abdomen is well drawn in. Sturdy legs that are not long, and have broad, clean joints and short pasterns. Feet are well shaped.

Temperament: Quiet, willing and hard working with a docile and good-natured temperament.

Main use: Used for riding, harness racing, and light transport, as well as for draft purposes.

Special abilities: Far less common than the heavier type of this breed, the Finnish Draft. Both types are compact, long-lived animals, combining a quiet, willing temperament with surprising strength, speed, liveliness, and courage.

History: Developed from the local native ponies of Finland 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. There were two distinct versions of the Universal in the past. The heavy horses were bred for use in more arduous work and the lighter ones are similar to today's Finnish Universal. The term Universal is used to describe this versatile animal, which is also used in trotting races. Harnessed trotting contests are quite popular in the Scandinavian countries.