A living national treasure

On this web page we present important events during the hundred year long history of the Finnhorse.

2007 The Finnhorse – the national horse

The 100th anniversary of the Finnhorse as a pure breed. The number of Finnhorses in Finland is 19 500. The Finnhorse is declared the national horse of Finland.

2006

The Finnhorse Trotting Championships, “Kuninkuusravit” in Finnish (“The royal race”), become even more popular. The Finnhorse Trotting Championships in Forssa attract almost 60 000 spectators.

2000

The stallion Viesker wins the title of Trotting King and the Nordic Championship for cold-blood horses for the fifth time in a row.

The event “Suomenratsujen kuninkaalliset” (The royal Finnhorses) is arranged for the first time in Ypäjä. The Finnhorse becomes more popular as a riding and hobby horse.

1995

The European Union defines the Finnhorse as an original breed.

1987

The number and breeding of Finnhorses is at an all time low. The number of Finnhorses is lower than ever during the known history of the breed, there are only 14 000 horses.

1984

The Ministry of Agriculture defines the Finnhorse as an original breed.

1973

The central organizations for horse breeding and the trotting sport merge.
The new National Horse Breeding and Trotting Association Suomen Hippos ry starts its work.

1971

The breeding regulations for the Finnhorse are modernized. Four breeding sections are established for the Finnhorse: working horse, trotter, riding horse and pony-sized horse. The state gives up keeping the studbook when a new decree on horse farming transfers the keeping of the horse studbook and other activities for promoting the equine industry to the Central Association of the Equine Industry.

1965

The studbook for the universal horse is closed. A studbook for trotters is founded instead.

1950

The amount of horses is at an all time high in Finland, there are 408 797 horses in the country.

1946-1956

During the time of rebuilding after the war, the Finnhorse is of irreplaceable help both within agriculture and forestry as well as in haulage duties.

1939-1945

During the war time the Finnhorse ensures the mobility of the army. The horses transport food, ammunition and other supplies, medicines and post to the battlefields. Also the wounded and casualties are transported away from the battlefields with Finnhorses.

1924

The Finnhorses are divided into two separate types: the heavy built working horse and the lighter universal horse (military riding horse).

The first Finnhorse Trotting Championships are held in Lahti. The first Finnhorse to win the title of Trotting King is the stallion Huovi.

1919

Suomen Ravirengas, the Finnish Trotting Association, is founded as a central organization for private trotting associations.

1918

The state takes over the studbook for mares.

1909

Exact requirements for registration in the studbook are defined. The horse associations start registration of mares in the studbook. The Central Administration for Horse Associations in Finland is founded.

1907

The development of a Finnish horse breed is the result of the awakening of a national identity.

Systematic breeding work and pure breeding of the Finnhorse is started. A decision of founding a studbook for the whole country comes into effect. The first Finnhorse to be registered in the studbook is the stallion Ukonpoika. The Agricultural Administration is in charge of keeping the stallion studbook.

References:

Mahlamäki M. 2003 Pellolta paanalle ja pussihousumiehistä patiinipoikiin. Suomen Hippos ry.

Ojala, I. 1997. Suomenhevonen Suomen puolesta 1939-45. Karisto. Hämeenlinna.

Timlin J. 2000. Suomenhevosen jalostushistoria. Opinnäytetyö. Rovaniemen ammattikorkeakoulu.