Unique trotter: The Norvegian coldblooded horse

Abstract

The Norwegian coldblooded trotter is a unique horse. This type of trotter can only be found in the Scandinavian countries and is the only heavy type of trotter in the world. Today the Norwegian and Swedish horse is considered one breed, but another type of the coldblooded trotter is also found in Finland. The development of the Norwegian horse started in the 1850`s from the Dole horse with the stallion Veikle Balder as the founder. It gradually changed into a lighter horse than the original Dole horse and the breed was divided into a lighter and heavier type. Today they are not considered the same breed. In Norway harness races have been a long tradition which started with local races on frozen lakes in the winter several centuries ago. Now it’s the larges horse industry in the country and around 30% of the horse population is coldblooded trotter. They are a popular breed both for driving and riding. With a strong body, medium size and good temper. The trotting performance has increases enormously from the first records recorded and the horse is still improving with new better trotting times every year. Some horses have put a special influence on the breed as breeding stallions and top athletes. The most famous Norwegian horse through time is the horse Atom Vinter witch won most of his races and is now the father of many great horses competing today. There are many criteria’s to reach before a stallion is approved for breeding. Both the conformation and the ability to trot are evaluated. The performance on the trotting field should be of the best within the age group of the stallion and only the best are selected. Every year the breeding association gives out a breeding index which gives the breeding value of the stallions. The goal is to preserve and enhance the horse as a healthy competition horse. The trotting performance, endurance, conformation, and a good breeding standard and fertility should be kept and improved without too much inbreeding The future of the horse looks good, especially now with the union with the Swedish horse and an increases interest in Sweden. It’s a versatile horse with many possibilities, not only as a trotter. Many people are using the horse as a riding and hobby horse due to its good temper. And a person who can’t afford the standardbred trotter is often having a coldblood instead. So it’s a horse for all people not only the ones with money and allows everyday people an entrance into the trotting world.