Though it’s technically a draft horse, the Finnish Horse is often used in harness racing and has a long body well suited to the sport. The horse’s constitution is excellent and it has a reputation for exhibiting good health and a solid hardiness as well as a long life expectancy. Their racing legs are strong, muscular, and free of any feathering. The Finnish Horse can be any color, but the most common is the strikingly classic chestnut complimented by a flaxen mane and tail.

The heavier Finnish Horse is regarded as a well-built, general purpose agricultural horse and well suited to light draft work. Though smaller than most Drafts, the Finnish has good pulling power in relation to its size and this feature, along with its surprising speed, makes it a solid competitor in harness racing.

Because the Finnish is strong and agile, they’re also often utilized in forestry, where the benefits of a maneuverable, non-intrusive horse can far outweigh those of a mechanized vehicle. They’re also useful in agricultural work where the use of a tractor is not possible or its use could damage the soil.

Historically, the Finnish Draft was divided into two breeds – the Draft, a heavier work horse, and the Universal, the lighter breed. Today, the contemporary style leans more to the Universal type and the modern breed has been developed by crossbreeding with warmbloods like the Oldenburger.