The Jutland horse is a draft breed from Denmark, named for the Jutland Peninsula in the country’s west. It is a compact, muscular horse, usually chestnut, with a calm and willing temperament. The breed was first developed for agricultural work and is now also seen in urban settings and at horse shows. Some Jutland horses pull beer wagons for the Carlsberg brewery around Copenhagen, and they also appear in competitions and demonstrations. Images from the 9th century show a horse resembling the Jutland in use by Viking raiders in what is now Great Britain. Written records first mention the breed in the 12th century, when it was popular as a war horse. Other bloodlines were introduced in the 18th century; the modern type began to take shape around 1850, mainly with draft-horse blood. A stud book followed in the late 19th century. The population peaked at around 15,000 by 1950, then declined to an estimated 1,000 in 2011.
Who it is for
The Jutland may suit people interested in a Danish draft horse with a calm, willing temperament. Its history connects it with agricultural work, shows, competitions and demonstrations.
What is good
- Calm and willing temperament
- Compact, muscular build
- Used in agriculture and at horse shows
- Appears in competitions and demonstrations
What to know first
- Population declined after its 1950 peak
- Estimated population was 1,000 in 2011
Verdict
The Jutland is a Danish draft breed with a long history of agricultural and other working roles. It is now also seen in shows, competitions and demonstrations.
