Why Imported Horses in Sweden?
I’ve heard from Swedish breeders that selling Swedish horses is difficult because they are more expensive to produce, and many buyers aren’t willing to pay the higher prices associated with breeding Swedish horses.
I’ve followed this trend for many years and have a theory about it. My theory might not apply to everyone, but as a former breeder and dealer, I’ve discussed this with many people.
When I was growing up, owning a Swedish Warmblood was considered prestigious—and it still is to some extent, but in a different way.
Firstly, a SWB horse is more expensive because the costs for feed, shoes, labor, and much more are higher in Sweden. Naturally, this makes the final product more expensive. Many people are indeed willing to pay more for a Swedish horse because they know where it’s bred, what it’s been fed, and how it’s been cared for. BUT, the big difference is that in the past, you would get a reliable all-rounder, the type most hobby riders wanted—a horse that could do a bit of everything and was ideal for leisure riding.
Over the years, these horses have been refined and bred for specific niches, with larger gaits and higher potential. These horses are fantastic if you’re seriously pursuing competition and have time to train and develop them. However, more than 80% of riders today want a hobby horse that doesn’t become challenging if it’s had a day off. If SWB horses today were more like the old type, I believe there wouldn’t be an issue selling them.
Breeders want to get as much as possible for their offspring, and since breeding in Sweden is costly, they often choose stallions that are trending in the competition world. But the average rider doesn’t want a horse with such big, flashy gaits that it’s hard to sit in the trot, nor one with super-sensitive nerves, and definitely not a horse that stands over 175 cm. So people start looking outside of Sweden.
SWB horses are also often hard to use in riding schools (not all, of course, but many). This was why I imported many horses from Hungary that I then sold to riding schools. Hungarian breeds tend to be more versatile, without exaggerated movements. These horses became very popular in riding schools, and even private buyers were relieved to try such a horse. In recent years, PRE and Andalusian horses have also become popular, as they are of a more manageable size (slightly smaller) and comfortable to sit on.
I believe more people would want to buy Swedish horses if they were more like the old Swedish Warmblood. I bred Palominos myself—essentially old-style Warmbloods—and never had trouble selling them (nearly 40 years of experience).
Today, there are fewer horses bred than there is demand for in Sweden, so importing becomes necessary to meet the needs of those who want horses. I believe Swedish breeders should consider aiming not just for the “star” that’s expected to bring in big income but rather for steady returns on all their offspring by focusing on even temperaments and balanced breeding. The entire equestrian industry is rethinking things—why not breeding too?
What do you think?
