...and on the third day, God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.

The theory exists that Vikings took Danish horses over to England and that the Suffolk Punch Draft Horse derived from these. There are definitely similarities between the Suffolk Punch and the modern Jutland Draft.

The Jutland Draft can be traced back to the 12th century, but pictures painted in the 9th century show Danish warriors riding horses that appear quite similar to Jutland Drafts. (1)

The knights in medieval times used them for war horses, and they plowed fields in a draft capacity for farmers. Their strength and stamina enabled them to carry the heavy armor into war, although these days they are mainly used as riding horses.

In the 18th century, a horse breed called the Frederiksborg was introduced into the bloodlines, and these genes helped the Jutland improve its gaits and paces.

The Suffolk Punch stallion, "Oppenheim LXII," had a major influence on the development of the modern Jutland breed. (2)

Oppenheim LXII was imported to region in 1860 by a well-known horse trader of the day, a Mr. Oppenheimer of Hamburg, who specialized in breeding Suffolk Punch Draft horses.

The Jutland Draft is believed to have Yorkshire Coach Horse and Cleveland Bay blood, which is the combination attributed to its drafty, attractive, heavy appearance.

The Jutland is closely related to the Schleswig Heavy Draft horse out of North Germany which can also be traced back to Oppenheim LXII. (3)

The Jutland Draft horse is a heavy, compact horse that comes in around 15.3HH, with stocky, short legs that have feathering, which breeders are trying to eliminate from the bloodlines.

In the past, the breed has been criticized for having weak joints, something else that breeders are trying to improve.

They are similar in conformation to the Suffolk Punch, but their heads are less refined than that of the Suffolk.

The neck is carried high and is thick and muscular, set on to quite upright shoulders.

Weighing in around 1,500 to 1,800 pounds, they come in mostly chestnut, even though they were originally black or brown in color.

The Carlsberg Beer Brewery uses them for pulling their beer drays and they travel to many festivals and shows to compete and put on demonstrations.

They continue to be crossbred in an effort to improve the quality of the breed; they appear goose-rumped and short on the poll, though their legs are nice and straight and the feathers add a pretty accent.

They are rarely used for working agricultural fields these days and are now mostly bred for the show ring.

The Danes have a long history of horse breeding which dates back to the 14th century, but it is only recently that they have come to the forefront of the international industry of breeding first-rate competition horses.

Early studs located in monasteries at Holstein, and later on the Royal Stud at Frederiksborg, which are responsible for producing the Frederiksborg Horse and the Holsteiner Horse, take credit for the base stock of the Danish Warmblood. (4)

Also called the Danish Sports Horse, the Danish Warmblood was developed through open-minded, careful selective breeding, and introducing many different breeds together until the right combination was achieved.

During the 1960's, the studbook for the Danish Warmblood was opened and it carefully maintains and promotes the breed.

The Frederiksborg horse was crossed with the Thoroughbred and produced a good quality, though slightly heavyweight riding horse, which was later improved further by infusing Wielkopolski, Trakehner, Selle Francais and more Thoroughbred blood.

Through selective breeding, a distinct type of horse came through, thus becoming the Danish Warmblood of modern day. (5)

There is a distinct absence of Hanoverian blood in the breed, which may account for its own particular characteristics when compared to other Warmblood breeds.

Have you heard of the famous "100 Day Test" common in Europe?

The Danish Warmblood stallions must undergo this rigorous test and are carefully selected before they are approved.

This maintains an extraordinary high standard for the breed.

The Danish Warmblood is a horse of great quality, with a distinct Thoroughbred look about it, but with more substance and weight than a Thoroughbred.

They have speed, great stamina and jumping capability, and have a beautiful, natural elevation when going through their paces and gaits.

The Danish Warmblood excels at both jumping and dressage and has made a nice name for itself in these circles.

They have fine, attractive heads, with thick, well-set necks that have length, attached to deep, broad chests an long sloping shoulders.

They come in at 16.2HH and their colors are mostly bay, but any solid color can be acceptable.

The back is short and strong, with a good tail set on a sloping rump, and the legs are clean and muscular.

The joints are strong, with excellent, well-made hocks and hooves that are not too big.

Their temperament is very nice and they are friendly, bold, tough, and beautiful to watch with their free-flowing movement.

That is all for now.

Shedding blades are making their appearance in grooming boxes as mud and horse hair can be seen in the pasture.

Closing as usual with the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, "Happy Trails to You."

1-5: " The Encyclopedia of Horses and Ponies," by Tamsin Pickeral