Sweden

    The Swedes were reputed to have good horses in 500 BC.  Although breeding has been organized for over 300 years and is now government sponsored, there was no suitable Swedish breed to found the original studs.
    Through the years, the Swedish warm-blood horse of today has become a composite mixture of East Prussian, particularly the Trakehner, Thoroughbred, and Arab horses.  Hanoverians, and a few quality Hungarian horses, were also introduced to the breed at the beginning of the century.  Selective breeding for good temperament, as well as conformation, has produced the Swedish Saddle Horse, a good-looking, keen yet temperate animal, elegant, up to weight and much in demand by the military, mounted police, civilians, for riding in international events and for a growing export trade.
    Draft breeds are mostly represented by the Ardennes, first imported in 1837, Clydesdales, and the North Swedish, similar to the Norwegian Døle and equally hardy and energetic.  The main stud is located at Wagen.  North Swedish horses are medium sized with deep bodies, clean legs and of a sound constitution.  They are usually dun in color with black points although brown and chestnut are common.  They are long-lived, energetic and used in agriculture and forestry.
    The North Swedish Trotter is the only cold-blooded trotter in the world.  It has also been called the Nord Hestur.  They are usually chestnut or brown and about 15 hands high.
    The general term "Swedish horse" includes a number of breeds, both native and imported, used primarily for agricultural work.  The great majority of horses in Sweden are either of heavy draft (65 percent of the horse population) or light draft (31 percent).  Only 4 percent, or perhaps 20,000 horses, are of light, riding breeds.

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