Finnhorse
chestnut colour. | |
Breed standards | |
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The Finnhorse or Finnish Horse (Finnish: suomenhevonen, literally "horse of Finland"; Swedish: finskt kallblod, literally "finnish cold-blood") is a horse breed with both riding horse and draught horse influences and characteristics, and is the only breed developed fully in Finland. In English it is sometimes called the Finnish Universal, as the Finns consider the breed capable of fulfilling all of Finland's horse needs, including agricultural and forestry work, harness racing, and riding. In 2007, the breed was declared the official national horse breed of Finland.[1]
The Finnhorse is claimed to be among the fastest and most versatile "coldblood" breeds in the world. In Finland, the term "universal horse" is used to describe the Finnhorse and breeds such as the
The exact origins of the early Finnish horse are currently not known. Because the Finnhorse breed and its progenitors were the only horses in Finland for centuries, the history of horses in Finland parallels the history of the Finnhorse itself. The documented history of the distinct breed begins at the turn of the 13th century. Outside influences by many light and warmblood breeds were recorded beginning in the 16th century, making the breed larger and more usable. An official Finnhorse studbook was founded in 1907, producing purebred animals in significant numbers for many years. Due to mechanisation of agriculture and the dismantling of Finnish horse cavalry in the later half of the 20th century, the Finnhorse population plummeted from a high of just over 400,000 animals in the 1950s to a low of 14,100 in 1987. However, the breed managed to survive thanks to its popularity for harness racing and its versatility as a mount.
Breed characteristics
The breed standard defines the Finnhorse as a multi-purpose horse of average height, and sturdy conformation. The ideal Finnhorse is easy-to-handle, versatile, and combines strength, agility, speed and endurance.[2][3] Finnhorses are lively, with both a reliable and alert temperament. The breed standard encourages a horse that is "honest and sincere"; eager to cooperate with humans, obedient, and willing to work.[2] They are hardy with good endurance, robust health, and are generally long-lived. The breed standard describes the head of a Finnhorse as dry and the profile straight, not long or convex, with well-spaced, short ears. The neck should be well-shaped and not underslung or ewe-necked;[2] the body should be on the long side, but rounded and proportionate; and the croup should neither be level nor with a too-high connection to the tail.[2] Finnhorses are strongly muscled, with good bone, sturdy "dry" legs, and strong hooves.[2]
Finnhorses typically have thick
In addition to these general traits, there are four separate breed sections in the Finnhorse studbook, and a Finnhorse's overall conformation should be typical of the section in which it is recorded,[2] though some horses are registered in multiple sections.
Colours
Over 90 percent of Finnhorses today are
Through the 18th and 19th centuries, chestnut in various shades was the prevailing colour of Finnish horses, making up about 40–50 percent of the breed, and bays, blacks and greys existed in much greater numbers than today: 34 percent were bay, 16 percent black, and the remaining 3 percent were grey, palomino or spotted. Wide blazes and high leg markings were rare, unlike today; bold markings became common only in the 20th century.[8][9][17][18]
The change came about through selective breeding. At the turn of the 20th century, when a nationalistic spirit was high, the Finnhorse began to be considered a symbol of Finland, and purebreeding became very popular.[9][19] In addition, chestnut colour was officially chosen as an official aim for breeding as the "utmost original" colour of the Finnhorse, and named the "Hippos colour" after Hevoskasvatusyhditys Hippos, the name of the recently founded Finnish national horse breeding association that is now Suomen Hippos. Any colours other than chestnut were considered evidence of "foreign" blood, and the goal was to make the Finnhorse an all-chestnut breed. The breeding regulation of 1909 stated that no stallion "with coat of white, grey, palomino or spotted" could be accepted into the stud book. The popularity of bay and black Finnhorses dropped as well, and at least one mare was removed from the stud book solely because of her bay colour. Selective breeding combined with the export of horses in colours popular in neighbouring countries, especially bays into Sweden, and made chestnut the prevailing colour. In the earliest section of the first Finnhorse studbook, 105 of the stallions listed were chestnut and only 8 were bay. There were stallions of other colours as well, but they were not included in the first book.[9] At one point, chestnuts made up more than 96 percent of the breed.[9]
Because of the vigorous colour breeding for chestnut in the early 20th century, combined with a
The roan colour is rare, and today is passed on via a single dam line that descends from the strawberry roan mare Sonja, foaled in 1936.[9][29][30] As of 2010, only six confirmed roan Finnhorses exist, all descendants of a 1987 mare, Taika-Tyttö, great-great-granddaughter of Sonja. The second-to-last roan line died out with the passing of the 1981 stallion Jesper Jr, who had no offspring.[31] Grey exists in one dam line, descending from mare Pelelaikka, especially through her maternal grandson E.V. Johtotähti 1726-93Ta, an award-winning working section stallion. The second last grey line died in 2010 with the 1988 mare Iiris 2275-88R, who had no grey offspring.[32][33][34]
The silver dapple gene survived for two reasons. First, it only affects black colour and therefore is "masked" in chestnuts. Second, when it does act on black and bay base coat colors, it produces a chestnut-like phenotype. Silver dapple bays were long registered as "cinnamon chestnuts", and silver dapple blacks as "flaxen-maned dark chestnuts".
Breed sections
The Finnhorse stud book was created in 1907. Today it has four sections: the Working section (T; draught type), Trotter section (J), Riding section (R) and Pony-sized section (P)[2][5] In 1924, the first split in the stud book was created, with the working or draught type (Finnish: työlinja) horses in one section,[8] and the "all-around" or "universal" lighter trotting horses in another.[4] In 1965, this all-around section was renamed the trotter section. Then, in 1971, this lighter horse section was divided into three parts: the trotter (Finnish: juoksijalinja), riding (Finnish: ratsulinja) and pony-sized (Finnish: pienhevoslinja) types. Today, the majority of Finnhorses are of trotter type.[5]
Draught type
The working or draught type is the oldest of the Finnhorse types, and has had its own separate breeding section since the studbook was first split in 1924.[8] Though the oldest of the Finnhorse types, it is rare today, with a total of only about 1,000 horses registered in the working section as of 2004.[5] Draught-type Finnhorses are heavier and have a longer body than horses of the trotter and riding types. Though relatively small compared to other draught breeds, Finnhorses have considerable pulling power and can pull very heavy loads[8] because of the breed's good pulling technique, with powerful take-off and a low, efficient body stature during the actual pulling.[35] The Finnish Draught type is, pound for pound, stronger than many larger draught breeds. An average horse in draught work is capable of pulling about 80 percent of its own weight, while a Finnhorse can pull as much as 110 percent.[4] In work horse competitions, the best Finnhorses can achieve even higher results, pulling more than 200 percent of their own body weight.[35][36]
A draught-type horse must pass two tests in the studbook evaluation: a walking test and either a pulling or a general drivability test. The points given for the horse's performance in these tests are added to those given for its temperament and gaits, resulting in the final workability score. The horse is also given a score for its conformation.[37] In addition to achieving the minimum scores for both workability and conformation, stallions accepted for the working-horse section of the stud book are required to trot 1,000 metres (1,100 yd) in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds.[38]
Trotter type
The trotter type is the lightest Finnhorse.[4] A trotter section horse should be of light conformation yet muscular, with a relatively long body and long legs.[39] At the studbook evaluation, a trotter-type horse must meet the standards in racing results and/or in breeding value index as decreed by Suomen Hippos.[40] A trotter's disposition is evaluated during the drivability test.[41] However, type is not part of the studbook evaluation standard for trotters.[42]
The trotter type has existed as a separate breeding section since 1965, when the "universal horse" section of the Finnhorse studbook was renamed and replaced by the trotter section. While the total number of Finnhorses dropped during the 20th century, the popularity of harness racing turned Finnhorse birthrates around from the historical lows of the 1970s and 1980s. Today, approximately 2,000 Finnhorses are in training and 3,000 compete in harness racing.[43] The official Finnhorse racing championship Kuninkuusravit began in 1924 and has been held annually ever since, attracting tens of thousands of spectators.[5][44]
The Finnhorse is slower to mature than lighter breeds, and thus usually enters harness racing competition at the age of four.[45] However, its build withstands competition better than light trotters, and the breed's effective competition career can be very long.[43] The Finnish harness racing bylaws allow Finnhorses to be raced from ages 3 to 16.[46]
For a "coldblood" breed, the Finnhorse is quite fast. The official Finnish coldblood record from 2010 is 19,9aly, was long held by the quintuple
Some conformation flaws common in the breed that may hinder a trotter's success include a heavy forehand and overangulated hind legs.[54][55] Another problem that affects some Finnhorses is a tendency to trot with the front and hind legs directly in line with other, which creates a high probability of forging, where the hind hooves hit the front pasterns, which can cause breaking gait. This can be helped to a degree with careful shoeing.[56] There is also a tendency toward ossification of the hoof cartilages of the front feet,[57] which tends to increase with age, and appears to be heritable.[58] This condition, called sidebone when it affects the lateral and medial cartilages of the foot, is common in draught breeds.[59] However, a study of affected Finnhorses also noted that horses with long toes and low heels were common and ossification correlated with the length of the heels.[60]
Riding horse type
The riding horse section Finnhorse is a capable and reliable mount. It lacks some traits required for competing at the highest levels of international riding sports,[61] but its combination of size and good temperament makes it suitable for both adults and children.[8][62] To qualify for the riding section, a horse must carry itself well, and have a long neck, small head, sloping shoulder and well-defined withers. The body must not be too long.[39] The universal Finnhorse breeding goals have made the breed of a lighter build, with longer neck, better gaits and fewer faults in conformation, allowing modern riding-type Finnhorses to work more easily on the bit. Even the temperament of the riding section animals appears to have become more lively.[63] To pass the studbook evaluation, a riding type horse must either have placed in a Grade IV dressage or combined driving competition, or pass a dressage test; must pass a jumping evaluation and a ridability test, and possess clean gaits. Mares may be qualified solely on grounds of a ridability test and a movement evaluation.[40]
Despite the Finnhorse's image as a working farm horse, the breed was used as a cavalry mount from the 17th century until the end of World War II.[61][62][63][64][65] After the mechanisation of Finnish agriculture in the 1960s and the 1970s, however, it was not clear if the Finnhorse would make the transition into a riding horse, even though the long use of the breed by the Finnish cavalry had proven it well-suited for the job. The Finnhorse had a strong image as a harnessed working horse, associated with rural life and old times. When riding as a hobby emerged and became more established in Finnish cities during the 1960s, imported horses and ponies were preferred as mounts;[62][65] warmblooded horses represented modern times, leisure time and wealth, while the Finnhorse was viewed as rugged and unsophisticated.[65] The riding section studbook, created in 1971, grew slowly and gained only a few dozen horses during its first decade,[66] as the idea of a Finnhorse used for riding was considered near-ridiculous at the time.[63]
The Suomenratsut ry (SuoRa, or "Finnmounts") organisation was founded in 1974 to promote the use of the Finnhorse under saddle, and with the growing popularity of riding and the support of SuoRa, Finnhorses of riding type gained a foothold,[66] though by the late 1970s, even SuoRa estimated that only about 300 Finnhorses were being used for riding. However, the popularity of harness racing and the breeding of trotter type Finnhorses made the breed lighter and faster overall, which also benefitted the riding section. In addition, the Finnish state horse breeding institute of Ypäjä was founded in the 1970s, and was the first stud farm to breed and train Finnhorses for riding on a larger scale. Well-trained Finnhorse mounts from Ypäjä, seen in growing numbers in competition, added to the popularity and credibility of the breed for under-saddle use.[67] After the slow beginning, the Finnhorse was increasingly appreciated as a riding horse. Today, over 5,000 are used for riding. Riding section horses currently are sought after while the trotting section suffers from oversupply.[62][63]
Pony-sized type
A pony-sized Finnhorse must measure no more than 148 cm (14.2-1/2
Although its breeding section was created at the same time as the trotter and riding types, the pony-sized Finnhorse is technically the newest of the sections, as trotters and riding horses were bred as "universal horses" in a combined section beginning in 1924.[5] The Finnhorse had been bred for larger size for centuries, and when the pony-sized breeding section was established, few pony-sized lines existed.[68] The section remains the rarest type of Finnhorse, with only about 80 stallions and 420 mares accepted in the studbook as of 2010.[71]
Studbook evaluation
To be registered as a Finnhorse, a horse must either have parents registered as Finnhorses, or be verified to be descended from at least three generations of Finnhorses.
Walking test
The walking test is given only to draught type Finnhorses and measures the horse's endurance while pulling a load. The horse tested pulls a 500 kilograms (79 st; 1,100 lb) load for 500 metres (550 yd), walking. The calculated time per kilometre must be no more than ten minutes to qualify as accepted. A horse qualifying with this time will be given four points. Extra points are given for faster times at the interval of 30 seconds, and the maximum points given is 10, for a time no longer than eight minutes and 30 seconds.[37]
Pulling test
The pulling, or tensile resistance, test is also a test only for the draught type horses, and it measures pulling capacity in relation to size. The test is performed in several progressive stages, called "steps", with the load increased each time. The horse tested will pull a weighed sled on semi-rough sand. The friction between the sled and the sand is taken into account and is measured before the test. The sled is loaded according to the horse's weight; on the first attempt, the load equals 36 percent of the estimated weight of the horse; with each subsequent stage of the test, the load is increased by 6 percent of the horse's weight.[37] The horse must pull the sled for 10 metres (33 ft) at each weight. If the horse stops during a test and does not resume within one minute, or stops four times before reaching the required distance, the test is discontinued. Two points are awarded for every testing stage completed successfully, with a maximum total score of 20. The pulling style is also evaluated, and given 4 to 10 points.[37][70] To pass the test, the horse must successfully complete pulls for at least five "steps".[38] This corresponds to a pulling capacity of 60 percent of the horse's weight. An award of 20 points corresponds to 90 percent of the horse's weight being pulled.
Drivability test
The general drivability test is performed by trotter stallions. It is optional for draught type horses in lieu of the pulling test, and for pony-sized horses in lieu of the rideability test.[6][28] The horse is driven by two different members of the studbook evaluation committee during this test, and asked to perform at a walk and trot. Its cooperation and disposition are evaluated on a scale of 4 to 10 points.[42]
The draught section drivability test, which evaluates disposition: adaptability, reliability, and calmness, consists of four parts, and 0–5 points are given for each. To pass the test, the horse must score at least one point for each part of the test, and its combined score for the test must be at least 10 points. The first part examines the behaviour of the horse while it is being harnessed and loaded, then unloaded and unharnessed, and the remaining three parts evaluate the way the horse behaves when being driven. These parts often include regulation of the speed of the horse's walk, halts, turns around obstacles, and backing with a load around a corner.[75]
Rideability test
In the rideability test, the horse is evaluated by a member of the studbook evaluation committee by being ridden at a walk, trot and canter. The horse's movement, balance and disposition are evaluated and given 4 to 10 points. The horse should express cooperation, gentleness, attentiveness, sensitivity to cues, and active effort.[42][76] This test is required for riding-type horses,[40] and optional for pony-sized horses in lieu of the driveability test.[6][28]
History
The ancestors of the modern Finnhorse were important throughout Finnish history, used as
Early history
Although multiple hypotheses exist on the origins of the horse in Finland, an indigenous
The eastern origin of the breed was first proposed by archaeologist
Later,
In 1927, veterinarian and professor Veikko Rislakki (then Svanberg) proposed a different theory in his doctoral thesis. He argued that three types of wild horses existed in Europe, one of which he believed to be the
In the early 20th century, English
Earliest horse equipment (bits) found in Finnish graves date from the
At some point in their history, not clearly documented, horses bred in the western regions
The earliest known documentation of Finnish trade in horses, both as imports and exports, dates to 1299, when Pope
Later, the 16th century writer
Organised breeding
The earliest document noting the importation of outside horses to Finland is a papal letter in 1229. During the Swedish rule of Finland that followed, foreign horses obtained by the Finnish cavalry, whether purchased for replenishment or seized as spoils of war, probably influenced the Finnish horse population.
Gustav Vasa also carried out major reforms of his cavalry. After the decline of heavy cavalry in the Late Middle Ages, light cavalry was gaining importance, and with it a new approach to horse breeding.[85] In 1550, he gave orders that "stud manors" (Finnish: siittolakartano) be founded on royal farms (Sw: kungsgård), not only in Sweden but also in every municipality of Finland.[78][85] These studs were to each hold 20 mares and a smaller number of stallions, both Finnish horses and horses imported from Sweden.[78] Gustav Vasa also imported mares from the lands bordering the North Sea; most likely of a Friesian type. His goal was to increase the size and weight of the Finnish horse population. His successor, Eric XIV prohibited the exporting of Finnish horses, which demonstrated the success of these efforts as well as the importance of the horses of the region of Finland.[85] The horse breeding farms lasted only for about 100 years under later rulers of the Vasa line before the programs deteriorated.[64][78] The last of the stud manors, that of Pori, was closed in 1651, and the crown-owned stallions and mares of the Pori stud were transported to Gotland.[78]
Outside of these breeding efforts, Finnish horses were widely kept in semi-feral conditions through the mid-19th century. Ethnologist Kustaa Vilkuna describes how all horses regardless of sex and age were let out on forest pastures for the summer after the spring fieldwork was finished. The pasture was scarce and the terrain challenging, with both rocky ground and wetlands. Vilkuna considers this practice an important factor in making the Finnhorse an easy-keeping, hardy breed.[90]
Military use
The goal of Gustav Vasa and others had been to increase the height of the Finnish horse. However, the Finnish cavalry survey records (katselmuspöytäkirjat) from the 1620s indicate this goal was not achieved. The heights of horses surveyed in 1623, measured not at the withers but at the highest point of the croup, which provides a height measurement significantly different from standard measures, ranged between 105 and 130 centimetres (41 and 51 in), the taller animals being the horses of officers. Only the horses owned by Colonel Herman Fleming were taller, with a croup measurement of 135 to 140 centimetres (53 to 55 in). It is not known if these horses were domestic crossbreeds or imported. The average height of the horses of the troops of Hollola, Pori and Raseborg was only 115 centimetres (45 in) one year, but those in the next year's survey were 125 centimetres (49 in). Overall, there were no pony-sized horses below a croup measurement of 110 centimetres (43 in), and the all-around average height of the horses used by the cavalry was about 120 centimetres (47 in).[64]
During the
Before
Crossbreeding
The Finnish horse had been intentionally crossbred from as early as the 16th century. Friesians and
Russian
In addition to the needs of the military, crossbreeding was used to improve the common working horse; improved roads and advances in agriculture had replaced the previously predominant
Other intentional crossbreeding experiments included the bloodstock of Sarkkila and Hali in
Some estates, especially in southern regions of Finland, were known to have used stallions of several light and hot-blooded breeds; for example, an officer in
An especially detailed description of the best Finnish horses of the mid-19th century is available due to the development of the
Documents created some years after a number of Finnish horses had been imported to the Tori stud describe the Finnish mares obtained. Their average height was 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm), and the colour was typically dark with a star. Their heads were large and necks short but well-carried; their bodies sturdy and proportionate with muscular withers, deep chest and muscular back; the loins were on the long side, and the haunches muscular if sloping. The leg joints were well-defined, the pasterns short and the feet tough. However, records also noted that the legs had "serious faults of position," not further defined. The Finnish horses also were considered calm and good workers, and swift walkers and runners.[79]
Decline
In the 18th century, the horse population of Finland vastly diminished in both numbers and quality.[17][64][89] At the beginning of the century, during the Great Northern War campaigns of Charles XII, the Finnish cavalry was larger than at any other time in history, and almost every usable horse of Finland was needed. Horses were used by the cavalry, infantry, and for transporting supplies. Horses serving in the Swedish military never returned to Finland; even the animals provided to the last remaining Swedish reinforcement regiments were taken to Sweden in 1714, and to Norway in 1718.[64]
The
With the Russians having taken the best animals, combined with the old custom of pastures shared by municipalities or larger areas, rebuilding the horse population took decades. To increase numbers, horses were often bred too young, and inbreeding also occurred.[17] By 1761, one of the first researchers in the agricultural chemistry in Finland described the Finnish horse population of the time:
The Savonian-Karelian horse is its own breed, descended from [the horses of] Tartary. It is rarely taller than 9 korttelis [133 centimetres (52 in)], and it is of good conformation, and a good puller, chestnut or bay of coat. [The same breed is also found in Western Finland, where it is] mixed and bigger by the influence of Scanian horses.[64]
According to ethnologist Kustaa Vilkuna's estimations, calculated from measurements of horse collars used in Finland in the early 18th century, the average peasant's horse was about 12.3 hands (51 inches, 130 cm) tall, while some horses employed by manors were larger, sometimes more than 13.3 hands (55 inches, 140 cm) tall. Vilkuna also discovered that the horses of the southern and western regions of Finland were larger than those of the northern and eastern regions. This was probably due to the influence of imported horses.[17] By the mid-18th century, a typical Finnish horse was probably about 13.2 hands (54 inches, 137 cm), about the same size as a small contemporary Finnhorse yearling, and weighed about 300 kilograms (660 lb), roughly half the weight of a contemporary 15.2 hands (62 inches, 157 cm) working section horse. A civilian horse of good quality had good action and was swift. However, leg faults were common.[17]
In response to the decline of the Finnish horse population and especially the great loss of good quality breeding animals experienced during the great famine of 1866–1868, the Senate of Finland gave orders for three provinces to obtain quality stallions for public use.[96][97] The scope of the programme was later expanded to include eight provinces, and Finland was divided into breeding districts, which were all to have a state-owned stallion available to service local mares. The horses in this programme became known as "crown stallions" (Finnish: ruununori, ruununoriit). Official guidelines for the selection of stallions were never given, but one common aim throughout Finland was to increase the size and bulk of the horse population to create a type better suited for agricultural work.[97]
Purebreeding and revival
By the end of the 18th century, crossbreeding of Finnish horses began to be described, especially by military leaders, as "detrimental crossbreeding"—damaging to the quality of the Finnish horse, particularly for military use.
As Finnish nationalism arose and increased in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, crossbreeding of the Finnish horse essentially ended and a new direction was taken by Finnish horse breeders.[9][19] The breed was considered a symbol of the nation, and thus it was desired that it be as purebred as possible.[9] On 20 November 1894, Finland's first horse breeding association Hevoskasvatusyhdistys Hippos (now Suomen Hippos) was founded to breed and improve the Finnish horse by the means of purebreeding, and in 1905, a governmental decree was issued for horse breeding associations to be founded throughout the country, leading to the establishment of the Finnhorse stud book in 1907.
At first the only notable objectives of the Finnhorse breeding programme concerned appearance, especially the colour, of the breed. The aim was to remove "foreign" characteristics. Later, in the 1920s, trials of performance were introduced, and since then, the main objectives of the Finnhorse breeding programme have continued to encourage improvements in the capacity, movement, conformation and character of the breed.[98]
Since the establishment of the Finnhorse stud book it has been
Impact of World War II
Horses were a central asset to Finnish military forces during the
The great number of Russian horses captured as
Post-war decline
Approximately 300,000 horses existed in Finland when the Finnhorse studbook was established in the beginning of the 20th century. The horse population, consisting almost entirely of Finnhorses, remained stable for 50 years.[105] The rebuilding of the country after two wars had increased demand for horse power, and by the 1950s, the breed reached its all-time peak, with an estimated 409,000 animals,[8][105] with a great majority of the horses being of the draught type.[8] However, with the increased mechanisation of agriculture and forestry in the 1960s, the number of Finnhorses dropped precipitously.[106] Horses, having been bred in large numbers only a few years earlier, were taken to slaughter by the thousands; a change in forestry tax policy made previously state-supported horse-powered forestry unprofitable and further discouraged keeping horses. Many working horse bloodlines ended, while lines more suitable for sports and recreation survived.[61][105] By the 1970s, the breed's numbers had declined to 90,000 animals, and 10 years later as few as 20,000 Finnhorses existed. The breed's all-time lowest point was 1987, with only 14,100 horses. By this time, however, the overall horse population in Finland had been increasing for almost a decade, with lighter harness racing horse breeds establishing their position, counting 12,800 animals the same year.[105]
Although other breeds were being increasingly imported and bred, the numbers of the Finnhorse population also slowly began to recover; in 1997, 19,000 Finnhorses existed.[105] Harness racing and associated parimutuel betting, and to some degree also the relatively new hobby of riding, became the most important factors ensuring the survival of the breed.[107]
21st century
Nearly all Finnish horses foaled since 1971 have been registered. During the first decade of the 21st century, the breed's numbers in Finland stabilised at roughly 20,000 animals,[108] and approximately 1,000 foals are born annually.[8] The breed makes up roughly one third of Finland's total horse population. The objective for ensuring the breed's continuity is to have at least 200 stallions and 2,000 mares used for breeding every year, 3,000 horses used for harness racing, and 6,000 horses for riding and other uses.[107] In the 21st century, most Finnhorses are bred to be trotters, but the breed is also popular at riding schools and for recreational riding.[8][109]
The Finnhorse is a relatively unknown horse breed outside of Finland, with no organised efforts to promote it internationally. The very word "Finnhorse" was only recently coined, and only became the standard name after 1990.
Apart from the exchange project of the late 1980s, activity to export the Finnhorse has been minimal.[111] However, a 2008 study stated that increased international interest and demand for the Finnhorse was advisable to ensure the survival of the breed.[110] To this end, the objectives of the national breeding program, as of 2008, include increasing international recognition of the Finnhorse and generating demand for the breed for recreation and lower level equestrian education; to make it the standard breed used in Finland for equestrian tourism; and to improve the opportunities for Finnhorse trotters to participate in Swedish and Norwegian heats.[111]
Within Finland, the Finnhorse is considered to have value as the national horse breed with cultural ties and strong support from a variety of Finnhorse organisations. On the other hand, progress in popularizing the breed internationally is complicated by its low population and lack of international recognition.[112] The strengths of the breed in international disciplines are considered to be its good health and working qualities, its versatility, and its novelty value outside of Finland.[112] The versatility of the breed's "universal" horse type, a Finnish concept, has plusses and minuses: It creates a challenge in marketing because of its vague status to buyers who currently tend to seek conventional horse types, and as a result it lacks a strong advantage over specialized breeds. Yet, the versatility of the Finnhorse can also be an advantage; more specialised breeds may be limited to a smaller range of activities.[111][112]
Influence on other horse breeds
From the 14th to the 16th century, Finnish horses were exported to Russian and Germany in such quantities that eventually restrictions on the number of exports were set.
Tori horse
In the mid-19th century, manor owners in Estonia found the native Estonian Horse too small for their agricultural needs, and came to the conclusion that the population would benefit from crossbreeding. Finnish horses were among the good quality breeds considered for the job.[79] The state stud farm of Tori was founded as the central base for the new Estonian breed in 1856, and ten Finnish mares and three stallions were bought for its needs. Though some purebred Finnish horses were produced, they were used mainly for crossbreeding; the later offspring of part-Finnish crossbreds, however, did not prove as good as expected, and the Tori stud gradually stopped using Finnish horses. One Finnish-Arabian stallion, Orro, has had noteworthy influence on the modern-day Tori horse, through his widely used great-grandson Harun 42 T.[79]
Uses
In the 21st century, approximately 75 percent of Finnhorses are used at some point in their lives for harness racing, with riding being the second most popular use.[8][109] Many Finnhorses have multiple uses, such as starting their career in harness racing and later moving on to riding. Finnhorses perform both at their own competitions and in open, all-breed classes in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. They are also used for endurance riding, western riding and combined driving. Approximately 1,000 Finnhorses are used in riding schools and in riding therapy, as they are usually easy going and pleasant to ride. They are also popular as pleasure horses.[8]
Draft work
Agricultural and forestry work were the traditional uses of the Finnhorse. The Finnhorse was never bred to be a particularly large or heavy draught horse, as it was the only horse breed of the country, and versatility was desired as the Finnhorse was also used as the primary steed of the cavalry. The climate and conditions of Finland necessitated that the breed be durable and hardy. As a result, the Finnhorse remained small but tough, and could pull heavy loads in difficult terrain and even in chest-deep snow. Relative to its size, the Finnhorse is among the most powerful workhorses in the world with the best animals able to pull as much as 200 percent of their own weight.[114]
There are few draft-type Finnhorse family lines left, and only an estimated two or three hundred animals are known to be used as actual
Harness
Finnhorses have historically been used for harness racing, with organised harness races having been held since 1817. Prior to that, racing from church back home had been a traditional recreation among farmers,[115][116] and harness racing remained a farmer's hobby up to the end of the 1950s. By that time, the number of horses kept in Finland was plummeting and racing lost popularity.[116] After 1959 the Finnhorse was no longer the only horse breed that was allowed to race in Finland; the importing of faster, light trotter breeds and the introduction of Parimutuel betting brought professionalism and new life to the harness racing sport.[43] Increased interest in betting led to growth in racing, which in turn helped establish harness racing as the main use for the Finnhorse during the next decades.[43][117]
Finnhorses also successfully compete in combined driving, and are the breed most often used for the sport in Finland, especially at regional and national levels;[118] the Finnhorse Jehun Viima,[119] driven by Heidi Sinda, was a member of the Finnish singles driving team that finished 2nd at the 2002 World Singles Championships in Conty, France.[62][118][120] According to Sinda, the Finnhorse is ideally suited for combined driving, being well-mannered, focused, hard working, obedient, and possessing "cool nerves."[118]
Riding
Finnhorses are popular as
The Finnhorse is considered a reliable and fairly good jumper, and is regularly seen in 130 centimetres (51 in)
In
The Finnhorse is also well-suited to
Notes
- ^ "Suomenhevosesta Suomen kansallishevonen" (in Finnish). 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
The Finnhorse will be declared the national horse breed of Finland next Tuesday.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Suomenhevosen rotutyyppi" [The type of the Finnhorse] (in Finnish). Suomen Hippos ry. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ^ a b c "Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö" [The Finnish horse breeding statute] (PDF) (in Finnish). Finnish Trotting and Breeding Association. December 2004. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ a b c d e f Swinney, p. 86
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Finnhorse". Suomen Hippos ry. Archived from the original on 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
- ^ a b c d e Suomenhevosen rekisteröinti, kantakirjaus, palkitseminen ja siitokseen käyttö, p. 7
- ISBN 978-0-7216-8342-3. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "The Finnhorse". The Equus Collection. The Scandinavian Horse. 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-01-25. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Viitanen 2007, p. 147.
- ^ Ticklén, Margit, ed. (2006). "Get to Know the Finnhorse" (PDF). Agropolis Ltd (Project coordination) and Ministry of Agriculture (financier). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ Viitanen 2007, p. 110.
- ^ "Vekselin Ihme at Sukuposti.net database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Vekselin Ihme". Suomen Hippos. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
- ^ Lindström, Minna, ed. (2009). "Tunne hevonen: lehti luonnollisesta hevostaidosta" [Know your horse: Journal of Natural Horse Skills] (in Finnish). No.1. pp. 26–28. ISSN 1798-2774
- ^ Alerini, Leena (2013-06-27). "Uusia värihevosia, uusia testiohjeita" (in Finnish). Hevosurheilu magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
- ^ Alerini, Leena (2013-05-31). "Lisää suomenkirjavia!" (in Finnish). Hevosurheilu magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-06-10. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Ojala 1995, p. 51
- ^ Ojala 1995, p. 61
- ^ a b c Saastamoinen 2007, p. 9
- ^ "Voikko at Sukuposti.net database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Alerini, Leena (2010-03-02). "Mustanvoikko suomenhevonen virallisesti tunnistettu" [Smoky black Finnhorse officially identified] (in Finnish). Hevosurheilu magazine. Archived from the original on 2010-03-15. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
[can be called] the first, if not ever, at least in a very long time.
- ^ "Hennylän Kulta 246001S00092352". Pedigree database Sukuposti.net. Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ensimmäinen mustanvoikko sh!" [First smoky black Finnhorse!] (in Finnish). Home site of Ukkosen Poika, news. 2010-02-23. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
Last summer's curiously-coloured maternal granddaughter of Ukkosen Poika, Hennylän Kulta (s. Helinän Ari, d. Apilan Viola, ds. Ukkosen Poika), has been tested for colour, and the results coming from the UK yesterday confirm that she is a smoky black as suspected. This makes Hennylän Kulta the first and for the time being the only Finnhorse identified and registered as smoky black!
- ^ "Auringon Säde varsoi – tuplavoikon?" [Auringon Säde foaled – a double dilute?] (in Finnish). Home site of Ukkosen Poika, news. 2010-05-07. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
Ukkosen Poika's firstborn daughter, the 7-year-old palomino Auringon Säde (d. Kastanja), has foaled in April, by the buckskin Autere (s. Humeeti, d. Halokeeni), a blue-eyed filly with pink skin and very pale coat. It is very possible that this is the first double cream dilute Finnhorse in [Finland].
- ^ Alerini, Leena (2010-03-02). "Tuplavoikko suomenhevonen syntynyt?" [Double Cream dilute Finnhorse foaled?] (in Finnish). Hevosurheilu magazine. Archived from the original on 2010-09-28. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
The palomino mare Auringon säde has foaled out of the buckskin Autere a blue-eyed filly with pink skin and very pale coat. We still have every reason to join the owner's hopes for this to be the first known double Cream dilute Finnhorse in Finland. (...) While you read this, the filly's colouration remains [pale], and, at least as yet, her eyes have not started to darken.
- ^ "Lakeuden Valotar (246001S00101071) at "Sukuposti.net" database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "Lakeuden Valotar at "Heppa" database" (in Finnish). Suomen Hippos. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
- ^ a b c d Suomenhevosen rekisteröinti, kantakirjaus, palkitseminen ja siitokseen käyttö, p. 4
- ^ "Sonja at Sukuposti.net pedigree database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The roan family line of Finnhorse, with links to Sukuposti.net database" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
- ISSN 0787-5274.
- ^ "Offspring of Iiris 2275-88R in Sukuposti.net pedigree database". Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ Rautio, Johanna. "Suomenhevosen värit: Kimo" [Colours of Finnhorse: Grey] (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2009-06-11.
However, a few (greys) were saved [from persecution] and the grey Finnhorses of today are descended from two families. The mare Iiris alone consists the other one, and the descendants of the mare Pelelaikka the other. Pelelaikka's colour can be tracked far into the past up to the "Hinttula whites" and her family continues especially through the working section studbook stallion E.V. Johtotähti.
- ^ "Offspring of E.V. Johtotähti 1726-93Ta in Sukuposti.net pedigree database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "Maasta se pienikin ponnistaa – ori Vuohimäen Havu työmestaruuskilpailuissa" [Don't underestimate the little ones – stallion Vuohimäen Havu at the Work Horse Championships] (in Finnish). Retrieved 2012-01-21.
[The 340-kg stallion Vuohimäen Havu] pulled relatively the heaviest load, 206 %. The second best relative puller, with 183 % (taking into account only completed steps) was the new National working horse champion, 520-kg mare Pelotin, and the third best, fourth in the competition, was the 550-kg mare Anan Jalo.
[permanent dead link] - ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 104
- ^ a b c d "Suomenhevosten T-suunnan vetokoe" [The Finnhorse T section (working horse) pulling test] (in Finnish). Suomen työhevosseura ry. 2009-03-22. Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
- ^ a b "Kantakirjaan hyväksymisen tulosvaatimukset" [The stud book minimum requirements concerning the (test) results] (in Finnish). Suomen työhevosseura ry. 2009-03-22. Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
- ^ a b "Suomen Hippos ry – Suomenhevonen" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
- ^ a b c Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö p. 7
- ^ Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö p. 9
- ^ a b c d Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö p. 10
- ^ a b c d Pesonen et al., p. 199
- ^ "Kuninkuusravit". Suomen Hippos. 3 March 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-05-29.
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 105
- ^ "§ 19 Hevosen ikä ja osallistumisoikeus" [§ 19 The age of the horse and admissionability] (in Finnish). Suomen Hippos ry. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 232
- ^ a b c "Suomenennätykset" [Finnish records] (in Finnish). Suomen Hippos ry. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Viesker at Sukuposti.net database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-16.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Månadens häst – mars" [Horse of the month – March] (in Swedish). Hippson.se. 2006-03-27. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
Järvsöfaks broke the coldblood world record. In July 2005 he trotted an unbelievable 17.9 in a 1640 metre heat! That's faster than any other coldblood horse has ever run.
- ^ "I.P. Vipotiina ME-lukemiin Mikkelissä" [I.P.Vipotiina at world record speed in Mikkeli] (in Finnish). Yle.fi. 2010-07-18. Retrieved 2011-01-16.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Maailman nopein suomenhevonen" [The world's fastest Finnhorse] (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 69
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 208
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 210
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 212
- ^ Ruohoniemi 2004, pp. 143-148
- ^ Ruohoniemi 2003, pp. 55-59
- ^ Rooney, Equine Pathology, p. 186
- ^ Ruohoniemi 1997, pp. 44-48
- ^ a b c d e f g Roiha, p. 124
- ^ a b c d e f g Saastamoinen 2007, p. 75
- ^ a b c d Pesonen et al., p. 192
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad Talaskivi 1977, pp. 77–81
- ^ a b c Pesonen et al., pp. 186-187
- ^ a b Pesonen et al., p. 187
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 188
- ^ a b c "Pienhevonen" [Pony-sized [Finn]horse] (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2010-01-25. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
- ^ "Suomenhevonen 2010" (PDF) (in Finnish). p. 53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ^ a b c Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö, p. 8
- ^ a b "Pieni suomenhevonen on siro ja sitkeä" [The small Finnhorse is delicate and tough] (in Finnish). Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
- ^ Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö, p. 4
- ^ a b Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö, p. 1-2
- ^ a b c Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö, p. 12
- ^ "Suomenhevosten T-suunnan ajettavuuskoe" [The Finnhorse T section (working horse) drivability test] (in Finnish). Suomen työhevosseura ry. 2009-09-19. Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
- ^ Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö p. 11
- ISBN 978-951-861-448-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Arppe 1968, pp. 9–12
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Ojala 1995, p. 53
- ^ a b c d e f Ojala 1995, p. 48
- ^ Ojala, Ilmari (1995). Suomenhevonen. Tammen Suuri hevoskirja 3. Tammi. p. 48.
- ^ "Suomenhevonen polveutuu ikivanhoista hevosroduista". Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (in Finnish). Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "Biografiakeskus, Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura". Artikkelihaku.kansallisbiografia.fi. Archived from the original on 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "Keski-Suomen maakunta / henkilogalleria". Finnica.fi. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Ojala 1995, p. 50
- .
- ^ Herlin, Ikka (2004). "Gustav Vilkuna" (in Finnish). .kirjastovirma.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011. – Translate
- ^ "Rautakauden elinkeinot" [The livelihood types of Iron Age] (in Finnish). Museovirasto (The Finnish National Board of Antiquities). Retrieved 2011-09-17.
Horse equipments are found only from sites dating back to Mid-Iron Age or later.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Saastamoinen 2007, p. 10
- ^ Haavikko 2003, p. 106
- ^ Roiha, p. 123
- ^ In some sources, the given names Yrjö Maunu are in Swedish form, Göran Magnus.
- ^ a b c Ojala 1995, p. 52
- ^ "Line of Eino 680" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
- ^ a b c Saastamoinen 2007, p. 11
- ^ "Ote Kirsi Peltosen opinnäytetyöstä "Vaellusratsu" 2004" [An excerpt of Kirsi Peltonen's thesis "Trail riding steed" 2004]. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ a b Ojala 1995, p. 54
- ^ a b Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö, p. 1
- ^ a b Pesonen et al., p. 108
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 115
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 110
- ^ a b Pesonen et al., p. 113
- ^ a b Pesonen et al., pp. 123-124
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 125
- ^ a b c d e f Saastamoinen 2007, p. 66
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 65
- ^ a b Saastamoinen 2007, p. 67
- ^ "Alkuperäinen suomalainen" [Original Finnish] (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
- ^ a b c "Finnhorse — a multipurpose breed". Suomenratsut ry. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
- ^ a b Laine et al. 2008, p. 1
- ^ a b c d e Laine et al. 2008, p. 2
- ^ a b c Laine et al. 2008, p. 3
- ^ a b Saastamoinen 2007, p. 15
- ^ a b Saastamoinen 2007, p. 78
- ^ Saastamoinen 2007, p. 68
- ^ a b Pesonen et al., p. 198
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 161
- ^ a b c Pesonen et al., p. 205
- ^ "Jehun Viima at Sukuposti.net database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2010-01-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Driving Championships: Day Four". 4 November 2002. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
- ^ "Ratsastava poliisi 125 vuotta" [Mounted police 125 years] (PDF) (in Finnish). Ruskeasuon kevät 2007. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
The Finnhorses Patrix and Priimi might be a bit small for police mounts though the so-called [sic] "warmbloods" are better suited for the job.
- ^ Note: the best recorded times per kilometre being 1:15–1:16, or twenty seconds longer than the best Thoroughbred race horses
- ^ "Uusi-Helinä at Sukuposti.net pedigree database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 186
- ^ a b Pesonen et al., p. 190
- ^ Valjus, Kati (2010). "Oululaisratsukko teki suomenhevoshistoriaa kansainvälisessä kilpailussa!" (PDF). Suomenhevonen. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
Leena Jaakkola from Oulu brought two bronze medals [team and personal] home from the Scandinavian disabled [dressage] championships
- ^ Jakonen, Nina (2010). "PM-menestystä ratsastajille: Karjalaiselle hopeaa, Jaakkolalle pronssia". Suomen Vammaisurheilu ja -liikunta VAU ry. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
Leena Jaakkola from Oulu and Valssandra made history, as this is the first time in history for a Finnhorse to win a medal or even place in international paraequestrian field.
- ^ "Kelmi at Sukuposti.net pedigree database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link] Stallion Kelmi
- ^ "Jaime at Sukuposti.net pedigree database" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2011-01-15.[permanent dead link] Stallion Jaime
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 212
- ^ Pesonen et al., p. 216
References
- Arppe, Pentti (1968). Ristonmaa, Simo (ed.). Suomen raviurheilu [Harness racing in Finland] (in Finnish). K. J. Gummerus Oy.
- Haavikko, Ritva (2003). Hevonen taiteessa, runoudessa, historiassa [The horse in art, poetry, history] (in Finnish). Jyväskylä: Gummerus. ISBN 978-951-0-22877-7.
- Laine P; Martin-Päivä M; Prepula H; Saastamoinen Markku (2008-12-16). "Suomenhevosen kansainvälistymisen mahdollisuudet" [Potential of internationalisation of the Finnhorse] (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
- Ojala, Ilmari (1995). Aalto, Jouni (ed.). "Suomenhevonen" [Finnhorse]. Tammen Suuri Hevoskirja 3 (in Finnish). Helsinki: Tammi: 46–95. ISBN 978-951-31-0515-0.
- Pesonen, Hannu; Hankimo, Olavi; Pystynen, Venla; Pesonen, Riikka (2007). Liinaharja, Suomenhevosen taival [Flaxen-maned, the path of the Finnhorse] (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21359-8.
- Roiha, Mauno (1968). Ristonmaa, Simo (ed.). Ratsuhevosen kasvatus ja valmennus [Breeding and training a riding horse] (in Finnish). K. J. Gummerus Oy.
- Rooney, James R. Rooney; John L. Robertson (1999). Equine pathology. Armes, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-2334-8.
- Ruohoniemi M; Raekallio M; Tulamo RM; Salonius K (January 1997). "Equine Vet J.". Equine Veterinary Journal. 29 (1): 44–8. PMID 9031863.
- Ruohoniemi M.; Ahtiainen H; Ojala M. (January 2003). "Estimates of heritability for ossification of the cartilages of the front feet in the Finnhorse". Equine Vet J. 35 (1): 55–59. PMID 12553463.
- Ruohoniemi M; Mäkelä O; Eskonen T. (March 2004). "Clinical significance of ossification of the cartilages of the front feet based on nuclear bone scintigraphy, radiography and lameness examinations in 21 Finnhorses". Equine Vet J. 36 (2): 143–148. PMID 15038437.
- Saastamoinen, Markku, ed. (2007). Suomenhevonen [The Finnhorse] (in Finnish). Espoo: Suomen Hippos. ISBN 978-951-95441-9-9.
- "Suomenhevosen jalostusohjesääntö" [The breeding regulations of the Finnhorse (as confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland)] (PDF) (in Finnish). Suomen Hippos ry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- "Suomenhevosen rekisteröinti, kantakirjaus, palkitseminen ja siitokseen käyttö" [Finnhorse registering, studbook acceptance, awarding and breeding use (as confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland)] (PDF) (in Finnish). Suomen Hippos ry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
- Swinney, Nicola Jane (2006). Horse Breeds of the World. London: Octopus Publishing Group. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-600-61319-0.
- Talaskivi, Soini (1977). Suomalainen hevoskirja [Finnish horse book] (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-11242-6.
- Viitanen, Johanna (2007). Hevosen värit [Equine Colors] (in Finnish). Läyliäinen: Vudeka. ISBN 978-952-99464-8-8.
External links
- Suomenratsut – A Finnish organisation that promotes the use of Finnhorses for riding (in Finnish)
- Sukuposti.net – Pedigree and photograph database[permanent dead link] (in Finnish)
- Suomenhevosliitto ry – The Finnhorse association (in Finnish)
- Suomen työhevosseura ry – The working horse association of Finland Archived 2015-11-25 at the Wayback Machine (in Finnish)
- Suomenhevosgalleria – Photos of the Finnhorse (in Finnish)