Jutland (horse)

Infobox Horse
name= Jutland


image_caption= Jutlands at pasture
features =
altname= Jydsk
Danish
nickname=
country= Denmark
group1=
std1= The Jutland horse is a draft horse breed originating from Denmark. The breed can be traced back to the 12th century, and ninth century images of Danish warriors show them on riding horses with similar characteristics.

History

Although its early origins are not fully documented, it is thought that the Jutland was used by the Vikings as war horses during Roman times. They were a popular mount for knights during the Middle Ages, especially for use in jousting. Selection for the modern-day Jutland appears to have begun around 1850, when Suffolk Punch, Cleveland Bay, and Ardennes blood was crossebred on native bloodstock. The development of the breed was significantly influenced by a Suffolk Punch/Shire stallion named Oppenheim LXII, imported into Denmark in 1862. Six generations after Oppenheim, the founding stallion of the modern breed, Aldrup Menkedal, was foaled. Most Jutlands in existence today can be traced back to two of his sons, Hovding and Prins af Jylland. The Jutland resembles the Schleswig, another heavy draft breed with similar origins that was also influenced by Oppenheim LXII.cite book
last = Bongianni
first = Maurizio
title = Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies
publisher = Simon & Schuster, Inc.
date = 1988
pages = p. 102
isbn = 0671660683] cite web
title = Jutland
url = http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/
work = Oklahoma State University
accessmonthday=December 16 | accessyear=2007] It is also possible that the Jutland has been influenced by Yorkshire Coach Horse and Fredericksborg bloodlines.cite web
title = Jutland
url = http://www.equinekingdom.com/breeds/heavy_horses/jutland.htm
work = Equine Kingdom
accessmonthday=December 16 | accessyear=2007]

Characteristics

The Jutland is a compact, heavy horse with short, stocky legs and extensive feathering on the lower legs. They have quite similar conformation to the Suffolk Punch but are generally considered to have a less-refined head. The neck is carried high and is typically thick and muscular, set to somewhat upright shoulders. They are very broad and deep through the chest and have a rounded barrel and short back.

The Jutland is typically chestnut in color, although they may also be bay, gray, or roan; they frequently have white markings. They generally stand between 15 and 16.1 hands, and weigh between 1,430 and 1,760 lbs.

The Jutland has been used by the Carlsberg brewery for pulling their drays since 1928. They owned 210 Jutlands at their peak, and today still use around 20 for beer transportation in Copenhagen. The Charlsbad horses still travel to many shows and festivals competing and putting on demonstrations, promoting both brewery and breed. Today, they are rarely used in the agricultural fields for which they were bred.

References