The Jutland horse can be traced back to the 12th century, although 9th century pictures of Danish warriors show them riding horses which appear quite similar to the modern Jutland. The Jutland was used not only in a draft capacity, but was also a popular mount for the knights of medieval times. They had both the strength and the stamina to excel at carrying the heavy armor, although now they are not commonly used as riding horses. There is a theory that the Vikings took Danish horses into England and that the Suffolk Punch developed from these, and there are certainly similarities between the modern Jutland and the Suffolk. During the 18th century, Fredericksborg blood was introduced to the breed which was responsible for improving their paces.
However, it was a Suffolk Punch stallion that was to have a major influence on the development of the modern Jutland. The stallion was Oppenheim LXII who was imported to the region in 1860 by the well-known horse trader, Oppenheimer of Hamburg, who specialized in Suffolk Punches. The Jutland is also believed to have Cleveland Bay and Yorkshire Coach Horse blood, which is the combination that gives rise to its heavy, but attractive, draft appearance. The Jutland is closely related to the Schleswig Heavy draft horse of North Germany, which can also be traced back to Oppenheim.
Jutland Draft Horse Uses
The Jutland is used by the Carlsberg brewery for pulling their drays, and they travel to many shows and festivals competing and putting on demonstrations. Sadly, they are rarely used in the agricultural fields for which they were bred.
Jutland Draft Horse Conformation
The Jutland is a compact, heavy horse with short, stocky legs, and feathering, which breeders are trying to eliminate from the breed. In the past they have been criticized as having weak joints, which again, the breeders have been trying to improve. They have quite similar conformation to the Suffolk Punch but are generally considered to have a less-refined head than the Suffolk. The neck is carried high, and is typically thick and muscular, set to quite upright shoulders. They are very broad and deep through the chest and have a rounded barrel and short back. Typically they are chestnut in color, although they were originally black or brown, and stand around 15.3 hh, weighing approximately 1,500 to 1,800 pounds.
References: - The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Tamsin Pickeral.
