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The Jutland horse can be traced
back to the 12th century, although 9th century pictures of Danish warriors
show them riding horses which appear quite similar to the modern Jutland.
The Jutland was used not only in a draft capacity, but was also a popular
mount for the knights of medieval times. They had both the strength and the
stamina to excel at carrying the heavy armor, although now they are not
commonly used as riding horses. There is a theory that the Vikings took
Danish horses into England and that the Suffolk Punch developed from these,
and there are certainly similarities between the modern Jutland and the
Suffolk. During the 18th century, Fredericksborg blood was introduced to the
breed which was responsible for improving their paces.
However, it was a Suffolk
Punch stallion that was to have a major influence on the development of the
modern Jutland. The stallion was Oppenheim LXII who was imported to the
region in 1860 by the well-known horse trader, Oppenheimer of Hamburg, who
specialized in Suffolk Punches. The Jutland is also believed to have
Cleveland Bay and Yorkshire Coach Horse blood, which is the
combination that gives rise to its heavy, but attractive, draft appearance.
The Jutland is closely related to the Schleswig Heavy draft horse of North
Germany, which can also be traced back to Oppenheim.
The Jutland is a compact,
heavy horse with short, stocky legs, and feathering, which breeders are
trying to eliminate from the breed. In the past they have been criticized as
having weak joints, which again, the breeders have been trying to improve.
They have quite similar conformation to the Suffolk Punch but are generally
considered to have a less-refined head than the Suffolk. The neck is carried
high, and is typically thick and muscular, set to quite upright shoulders.
They are very broad and deep through the chest and have a rounded barrel and
short back.
Typically they are chestnut
in color, although they were originally black or brown, and stand around
15.3 hh, weighing approximately 1,500 to 1,800 pounds. The Jutland is used
by the Carlsberg brewery for pulling their drays, and they travel to many
shows and festivals competing and putting on demonstrations. Sadly, they are
rarely used in the agricultural fields for which they were bred.
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