The Finnhorse

FINNHORSES

 Limbo, gelding (owned by Luostola)           Jojo, gelding (owned by Luostola)                                   Elsa Eben, mare (owned by Luostola)

The Finnhorse is the only native horsebreed in Finland. Throughout the centuries in the harsh forest pastures of the North i
t has developed into a tenacious companion, sure on its feet, safe at work and recreational activities.

Working together in the fields and woods has raised the Finnhorse to the level of other important national landmarks
- together with the sauna and "sisu", perseverance.

Our horse has both primitive, wild strength and calm determination - traits that are easy for Finns to identify in themselves.

There are four breeding sections: work horse section, trotter section, riding horse section and pony-sized section.

Versatile Finnhorse

• Show jumping: national championships is concluded in the class of 120 cm. The best characteristic of the Finnhorse as a jumper is its reliability. It rarely refuses and it usually knows how to judge by itself from where to jump even if the rider just sits there. The reliability of the horse puts responsibility on the rider to bringing his horse to tasks that it is capable of.
  
   
• Dressage: Most of the Finnhorses compete on a national 4th level (US) or Grade IV ( GB), with 30-40 competitors per class. Most Finnhorse has relative low, steady movements. They are easy for even a beginner to sit in: a fact, why the Finnhorse is such a good riding school horse. Approximately thousand Finnhorses are used in teaching and therapy.
  
   
• Cross-country riding: The Finnhrose is well-suited for all cross-country riding, such as endurance, cross-country skill competitions and ski-riding. At cross-country riding competitions the 490 meters per minute at the advanced level requires both horse and rider to be in top condition starting on the track.

In addition Finnhorse is a safe hiking partner and versatile recreational horse.

History:

• 1907 the Finnhorse studbook is founded
  
   
• 1939-45 the Finnhorse serves in the war, 22 000 of the 60 000 horses at the front were killed
  
   
• 1950 400 000 Finnhorses
  
   
• 1970 Population has diminished to 15 000 as the need for farm labour has collapsed.
  
   
• 1995 the Finnhorse is recognized as a native breed in the European Union.
  
   
• 2000 the Finnhorses approx. 156 cm in height and weighs 550 kg
  
   
• 2005 nearly 20 000 Finnhorses. The amount is slightly increasing
  
   
• 2007 Celebration year of the Finnhorse

(Ministry of Agriculture : Get to know the Finnhorse, 2006)