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The Schleswig Heavy Draft takes
its name from the Schleswig Holstein region of Northern Germany, where it
originated. It is a relatively young breed, and the Society of Schleswig
Horse Breeding Clubs was not formed until 1891. The breed developed from
Jutland horses, and then further developed through crosses between Danish
horses, Yorkshire Coach Horses and the English Thoroughbred. The breed can
be traced back to one Jutland stallion, one called Munkedal, and his
descendants, Hovding and Prins of Jylland. However, selective breeding to
improve the stock was not started until the 1860s, when the Suffolk Punch
stallion Oppenheim LXII was used, and there are traces of his influence in
the modern Schleswig. After the Second World War, infusions of Boulonnais
and Breton were used.
Although the Schleswig is a
young breed, its ancestors were commonly used to carry knights in
their heavy armor. Later on, Cleveland Bay and Thoroughbred blood was added
to make them more suitable as artillery horses. During the end of the 19th
century, the Schleswig was in popular demand for pulling trams and buses and
proved to be a very versatile breed, also excelling at working the land. As
with many of the draft breeds, the Schleswig has dramatically reduced in
numbers and it is believed that there are only about 10 pure bred stallions
left. This is a great shame; they are a useful type of horse with a
particularly good temperament, being docile, and yet also active and wiling,
They are a medium-sized draft horse, and in some instances a second type has
developed of a medium weight horse also suitable for riding.
In appearance, they have a
cobby type build and are one of the lighter draft horses. They have an
attractive head, which has become more refined over the years, and has an
honest, coblike outlook. The neck is short and muscular, typical of the
draft animal, and is set to very powerful and muscular shoulders. They are
broad and deep through the chest, have a rather long body which can have a
flattish rib cage, and rounded quarters. They have short legs with good
strong joints and quite heavy feathering. They invariably have rather soft,
flat feet. Predominantly chestnut in color, they stand between 15.2 and 16
hands high.
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