Horse
Pronunciation:
Swee-dish Wor’m-blud
Breed Description:
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse is descended from imported stock that was bred at both Stromsholm and Flyinge which are both world class studs. The first horses used for breeding were imported during the 17th century and they were a lot better than any average cavalry horse of the era.
The result of this focused breeding is a good quality, good looking and talented sport horse that has excellent riding horse conformation and easy, straight paces. The best Swedish Warmbloods have made it right to the top in dressage, while others have excelled in show jumping and in eventing – the three most popular Olympic equestrian events. They also make really good carriage driving horses and have been exported to many other countries in Europe as well as to the USA.
Like all warmbloods, the Swedish Warmblood undergoes rigorous testing before it can be entered in the Swedish Warmblood Stud Book and be used for breeding.
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse is an easy and versatile horse that is strong and athletic as well as good looking. It also has excellent, straight and flowing paces.
This breed can be any solid color, although horses are mostly bay, chestnut, brown, sometimes grey or roan, and very rarely black.
Their limbs are very powerful and they generally have good, clean joints with a short cannon bone and lots of bone below the knee. The quarters are usually well muscled and the tail is set up well. The back of the breed is ideally of medium length and all in all, you have a good quality riding horse that can be trained to excel in competition.
There’s that old saying “no foot no horse” and the Swedish Warmblood seldom has a problem with its feet. Uneven or diseased feet are seldom found.
Temperament:
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse has an excellent temperament because they are quiet, calm and enthusiastic workers.
Height:
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse has an average height of 16 to 17 hands, or 64 to 68 inches at the withers.
Weight:
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse has an average weight between 880 and 1320 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse, if properly cared for has very few abnormal health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Swedish Warmblood, like all warmbloods should be stabled.
Exercise:
The Swedish Warmblood is a sport horse and so it should be exercised daily if being used for regular riding or as a competitive horse.
Life Expectancy:
The Swedish Warmblood, like most horses of this type will generally live between 25 and 30 years.
Grooming:
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse is a sport horse and gets ridden regularly, so daily grooming is important to ensure the coat stays soft, sleek and short.
Origin:
The Swedish Warmblood breed of horse owes its origins to horses that were imported to that country during the 17th century from Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, Spain and Turkey. Local mares, that were generally rather small and rough, were also crossed with Spanish and Friesian imports, because these were particularly active and strong horses. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Hanoverian, and Trakehner blood was introduced to the horses – Hanoverians and Trakehners both being early European warmblood breeds. They also used the best Thoroughbred horses available because of course Thoroughbred blood has historically been vital for the development of warmbloods for horse sport. The most important period of development for this breed of horses was from 1920 to 1930 and the three most noticeable influences on the breed were the Thoroughbred Hamplemann, and three Hanoverians, Tribun, Hamlet and Schwabliso. 