In an effort to create heavier horses in Sweden, the Count C.G. Wrangle brought the large Ardennes horse to the country in 1872. By 1880 most parts of south and central Sweden had imported or crossed Ardennes. These heavier horses were bred with the horse of the Swedish countryside. The resulting horse was very mobile and marked by longevity. So successful was the breeding effort that a stud book was opened in 1901.
Swedish Ardennes Draft Horse Breeding
For years, the wild horse population of Sweden was indiscriminately crossed with other imported breeds. Even when studs began focusing their breeding efforts, however, horses were chosen more for their outer looks than well examined conformation standards. By 1874, this had all changed and examinations were required for a horse of Swedish Warmblood, Swedish Ardennes, and North Swedish Horse stock to be entered into a stud book.
Swedish Ardennes Draft Horse Uses
Though farming is now done with machinery, the Swedish Ardennes are still popular as a cart horse, and are also used for hauling timber in mountain areas inaccessible to machinery.
Swedish Ardennes Draft Horse Conformation
Swedish Ardennes are 15.2-16 hands high. Their small head is heavy with smallish eyes, they have a neck that is short and thick, a short back, a wide chest, and shoulders that are well muscled. Swedish Ardennes have an immensely muscular compact body, short legs, and little feathering. They are black, brown bay, and chestnut.
