{"id":1494,"date":"2010-08-10T21:05:19","date_gmt":"2010-08-10T21:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=1494"},"modified":"2025-02-07T21:25:07","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T21:25:07","slug":"swedish-warmblood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/swedish-warmblood","title":{"rendered":"Swedish Warmblood Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

Horse breeding in Sweden has been a long and rocky road. Their position so far north makes much of the country an impossible place to nurture the equine animal. The the remaining southern portion took a long while to catch on to selective breeding practices.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

There is a horse native to Sweden, they are a small northern forest type, but over the years a number of bloodlines have been imported to the area. Formal breeding programs were not developed until a 16th century attempt to improve local stock, but again, their practices were sorely lacking in their development and were not very successful. <\/p>\n

By the end of the 19th century, the largest horse purchasing power in the country was in the hands of farmers and military, who both had different needs for their animals. Breeding programs were divided to appease both sides, one for saddle animals using lighter and livelier stepping breeds. <\/p>\n

In 1874 the government began a studbook examination system in order to streamline and upgrade breeding programs. The result was strict programs for the Swedish Ardennes<\/a>, the North Swedish Horse<\/a> and the Swedish Warmblood. <\/p>\n

Once they caught on, the Swedes did it right and established strict guidelines with performance tests for registration or breeding. Today the Warmblood is well known for their athletic ability and often the mount of choice for eventers and big show jumpers. <\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 16.2 – 17 hands<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is handsome with a straight or convex profile
\nEyes are lively
\nNeck is well formed and long
\nBack is long and straight
\nChest is wide and deep
\nShoulder is muscular and sloped
\nLegs are long and strong with clean, broad joints
\nHoof is solid and shapely<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

chestnut<\/a> | grey<\/a> | bay<\/a> | brown<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Well mannered and intelligent
\nActive yet attentive<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Show horse
\nRiding horse
\nCompetition horse<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

* all links open in a new window<\/small>
\nSwedish Warmblood Association<\/a>
\nSwedish Warmblood Registry of North America<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Horse\"\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Horse\"\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n