Author: Anne Axell

Why Is It So Expensive to Breed SWB Horses in Sweden?

Last week, I wrote about how many people long for the classic SWB horse – a versatile horse that everyone can enjoy, regardless of ambition level. I received a lot of responses confirming that this sentiment is widely shared, but also that the old type of SWB horse was just as costly to produce as today’s sport-focused SWBs.

Today, I’d like to ask a new question: Why is it so expensive to breed Swedish Warmbloods, and is there anything we can do about it?

Many horses are bred in Sweden, so why does breeding an SWB cost more compared to, say, a Nordsvensk? Let’s start with the basics: feed.

Does an SWB really eat that much more than a Nordsvensk? Does it require more minerals, supplements, or concentrated feed that drive up the costs? Are hoof trims more expensive for an SWB than for a Nordsvensk? I don’t think so.

Does an SWB need a bigger stall, more expensive box, or specially designed paddock? Is veterinary care more costly for an SWB, or is it at greater risk for injuries? Does it need more frequent vaccinations or special care that makes upkeep pricier? And how about insurance – is it more expensive to insure an SWB than other breeds, and if so, why?

Now, we’re getting closer to one factor that may indeed drive up the cost: breeding stock. Is it more expensive to buy a broodmare for SWB breeding than for other breeds? What is the difference in cost between breeding an SWB and a Nordsvensk?

One significant factor that could be driving up the costs of SWB breeding is that many breeders now use artificial insemination for warmbloods. As one person mentioned, you can’t just take the mare over to a neighboring stallion anymore. Today, you’re paying for insemination services, veterinarians, and multiple trips with the mare back and forth.

But why is an SWB stallion so expensive? Nordsvensk stallions also go through thorough inspections to be approved for breeding; they’re judged with strict criteria and must show good qualities to be approved. Is it just snobbery, or is there really a difference – or is it simply that different types of people own and breed these horses?

These are questions I’ve thought about since I bought my first warmblood. And you don’t even need to compare them to Nordsvensks – you could also look at the prices for Thoroughbreds. Added to this is the high cost of getting a horse trained under saddle, as another person pointed out. Of course, you could sell the horse before it’s started under saddle, or perhaps train it yourself, but there’s no denying that the cost of a basic education can be high.

I understand that horses competing at high levels come at a premium, but here, we’re only talking about the costs of basic breeding. An SWB is, after all, essentially a crossbred horse that’s been selectively bred over time to create a “breed.” Does that alone justify the price tag?

As I mentioned last time, I’ve been breeding horses myself for almost 40 years, primarily warmbloods. I had SWBs, Polish Warmbloods, Hungarian Warmbloods, and Danish Warmbloods in my breeding program, and they were similar in type to the SWB. I never had trouble selling them and received a reasonable price for the offspring, so it was possible to break even.

My way of keeping costs down was to keep the horses on a loose housing system, allowing them plenty of pasture time, making our own hay, and buying oats and barley from a local farmer. We also had our own stallion, and other breeders would bring mares to breed with him. We even received EU subsidies for the grazing land.

I know that costs have gone up, but so have horse prices, so why do so few breeders today seem able to make ends meet?

These are just my reflections – I’m not pointing fingers at anyone. No one is forced to breed horses; if you feel it’s a losing proposition and not worth the investment, you can simply stop.

I’m curious to see if I’ll get any responses because this is still a mystery to me!

On the picture you see my SWB stallion Mackay 1979-2007 . I was breeding on him for many years.

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?

Make Money with Horses!

I’m one of those people who’s had horses in my blood since I was little. Why, I’m not quite sure – no one in my family had anything to do with horses. My father was allergic, and my mother was terrified of them. But my biggest dream as a child was to work with horses and earn enough to put food on the table.

I often heard that it wasn’t possible to make money from horses – that they only brought costs, and big ones at that. But I was determined and convinced I’d find a way. And I did. I became a saddlemaker, a breeder, and a horse dealer.

In fact, becoming a horse dealer happened by chance. I started with a couple of ponies and gradually worked my way up until I could eventually buy many horses, some of them from Hungary. I loved finding good horses, and my intention was always to provide them with a good home – while being able to support myself. I had realized that it was hard to make ends meet as just a saddlemaker.

For the most part, things went well, and I had many satisfied customers. But occasionally, I encountered skepticism – people thinking that as a horse dealer, I only cared about money. I always aimed to match the right horse with the right rider and offered honest advice to buyers. But sometimes, I’d hear comments like, “You just want to sell the most expensive horse to make more money.” That was far from the truth. Better horses cost me more too, and I didn’t necessarily make more profit on them, but they were often easier to sell because of their quality.

I don’t actually want to focus too much on what it was like to sell horses, but rather to share an important point: Those of us who work with horses usually do it because we’re passionate about it, not just for the money. If, for example, you’re a farrier, you don’t recommend shoeing a horse just to make more money, but because it’s what’s best for that specific horse. If you sell feed, you want to recommend the best feed so the horse owner has a healthy and thriving horse – so the customer comes back, happy and satisfied.

If you want to work with horses and have an income, there are many professions you can train for where you can actually make a good living. Many might first think of dealing or training horses, which can be hard work. But there are other paths too, like massage therapy, equine therapy, chiropractic, veterinarian work, or becoming a farrier if you want to work directly with horses. And if you’d prefer to work indirectly, there are opportunities in feed consultancy, equipment sales, saddlemaking, selling trailers, fencing, stable fittings, and much more. Things have changed a lot since I was young, and the horse industry has grown, both for better and for worse.

So don’t believe the myth that you can’t make a living with horses! 🙂

Charli’s Update!

I’ve had many horses throughout my life, and suddenly, last year, I found myself with only two left. Those of you who have had many horses know how empty that can feel. It wasn’t the relief that many people think it would be. One of the two is a mare, so I started considering whether I should breed her to get another horse, but I was very hesitant. I thought about the fact that if she had a foal, I would be over 70 by the time it would be ready to start training, and I wasn’t keen on that. The alternative would be to sell the offspring, which made me even more doubtful, though I still thought it might be fun to have a foal.

In Hungary, you can have a mare inseminated at home, which I found convenient since I wouldn’t need to take her anywhere. All I had to do was wait for her to go into heat. But she didn’t that summer, or perhaps it was extremely difficult to notice, which is unusual because she usually shows clear signs. Not that time. I didn’t want to induce her cycle with injections, especially since I was already unsure about having a foal. So, I figured she had made the decision herself.

A year passed, and spring came. I got an opportunity to rescue a horse that was about to be sent to slaughter. I was told he had a ligament injury and couldn’t be ridden, but that didn’t matter much to me. When he arrived, he was very lame, and I found out that he had worn ring shoes for six years to help him walk better. In the first few days, I wondered if I had made a mistake and maybe he should have been slaughtered because of how lame he was. But I wanted to give him a chance—he was such a kind and gentle horse. What could I do? Having ring shoes clearly hadn’t helped him, so I asked my farrier to remove the shoes and simply trim his hooves.

Naturally, it was an adjustment for Csarli to walk without shoes, but the ground here is soft, so he was still just as lame. He was putting so much weight on his healthy front leg that that hoof was completely flat, while the other, the injured one, had a normal angle since it wasn’t being loaded. I knew that progress wouldn’t happen overnight, but I spoke with several experts who told me that ligament injuries can actually heal if the hooves are trimmed properly. That gave me hope. Today was the second time he’s had his hooves trimmed since the shoes were removed, and you can see the results in the pictures. He has slowly but surely improved and is limping less and less, and a few days ago, I saw him trot voluntarily for the first time.

Now, I’m no longer afraid that I made the wrong decision. Even if he doesn’t improve more than this, he’s doing well enough to enjoy his retirement and live a good life as a horse.

Picture 1+2 is when I got him and 3+4 is now.

Have We Forgotten What We Have Seen?

Yesterday, I hosted a webinar where we discussed animal welfare and equine well-being. The recording will be released as a podcast next Wednesday. We held a similar webinar last spring on the same topic, so what has really changed in the last six months?

About a year ago, several issues regarding poor horse management practices were brought to light, and many felt that “the bubble must burst now.” It may not be very visible, but more work is being done behind the scenes than people realize. Changing a whole culture, deeply ingrained behavior towards horses, sports, and competitions doesn’t happen overnight.

So, what should we do instead? That was a key question during the webinar. People want to know what they can do! How should I approach this? I want to be kind to my horse, but on the other hand, I also enjoy competing!

We don’t want to stop competitions, and it’s also difficult to implement new rules and laws everywhere. People think common sense should prevail, but it’s clear that it doesn’t always. Especially during competition, when nerves are frayed and large sums of money or fame are at stake, it’s easy to push your horse just a little too far – something that could be detrimental to its well-being.

As I said yesterday, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Education is key, and we must start with those who teach others. Begin with riding schools, equestrian high schools, and other institutions that educate young riders on how to interact with horses in harmony.

Why is the first thing we buy for a young rider a whip? “Oh, it’s so cute with a pink whip!” people say. Yes, you don’t have to hit the horse with it, but why include it at all? Riding with a whip is an art form when used as an extension of the arm, but beginners don’t need any extra length! Instead, buy nice grooming brushes for the young rider. And if you want something decorative, get them a nice shirt!

We can all do small things and set good examples. Not everyone likes to hear that they’re doing something wrong, but they are watching how you behave, and hopefully, they learn from what they see.

A lot has actually changed, though it’s happening slowly, so it might feel like we’re standing still. Take something as simple as letting your horse go barefoot – today, this is widely accepted. Just a few years ago, if you didn’t shoe your horse, you were seen as irresponsible and a bad owner. Riding without a bit is also accepted now, whereas before, only “Indians” or reckless people did that.

Horses no longer stand in stalls 24/7, and we’re more aware that they need to eat regularly to stay healthy. Additionally, outdoor access for horses has significantly improved.

A lot is happening – open your eyes, and you’ll see! It warms my horse-loving heart to see more and more people doing their part to improve the welfare of horses.

Horses have been with humans for hundreds of years, and no one is saying we should return to a time where only wild horses exist. But we can learn to understand them better and give them a better life with us.

Do You Have to Compete?

I saw a fantastic post by a colleague on the topic of competing or not competing, and I thought I’d add my own thoughts on the matter.

Since ancient times, it has been important for humans to show and prove that they are skilled and valuable. It’s no different in the animal world, where animals compete for the best mate to ensure their lineage continues and that their offspring are strong and capable of survival. This instinct goes deep into our genes and can be hard to ignore. Competing can also be very fun; it gives a purpose to training, a goal, and a way to measure how far you’ve come. However, sometimes competition can take over, and then the question arises: when is enough, enough?

Parents often try to raise their children with competition in their blood, aiming to be the best, to strive, to become someone. Unfortunately, I’ve been to pony competitions, for example, where I’ve had to leave because it was awful to watch. The child was expected to win at all costs, and it was 190 km/h around the course with the whip to the pony’s rear. That’s when someone exploits another being to reach their goal in the wrong way.

I have a little funny story I’d like to share, even though it’s not about horses, but it’s very much about how people think about competition.

We were on a skiing holiday many years ago, and our children were about 9 and 12 years old at the time. They hadn’t skied much before, but we found a good instructor who was very pedagogical and reassuring. My youngest son was very cautious and took his time, but he learned to slowly ski down the slope and navigate between the markers. After a few days, there was going to be a competition for the children, but it was cleverly designed so that the goal was not to come in first, but to do two runs and have the times be as close to each other as possible. My youngest son was a bit hesitant and didn’t think he was good enough, but I convinced him that he should just have fun and take it easy.

I stood at the bottom of the slope, watching and taking pictures. Next to me were two couples, loudly commenting on all the children skiing down. Their children were evidently experienced skiers, almost racing down the slope, and there were no limits to how talented their kids were. Then my oldest son came down, and no compliments came from these people. Next came my youngest son, and they commented that he really shouldn’t be allowed to participate, he was so bad, and there were many rude remarks about how slowly he skied. My children almost didn’t want to do the second run because they felt embarrassed, but I encouraged them, reminding them that it was good practice, it was all about having fun, and they shouldn’t listen to those people (who I actually called idiots). That evening, there was an award ceremony! Guess who won? My youngest son, who had skied calmly and steadily, in the same rhythm. In second place came my oldest son! When we walked back from the stage, where they had received their prizes, I passed by the table where the “idiots” were sitting. I couldn’t help but loudly talk about how great my kids were, and for some reason, those wonderful parents didn’t look very happy.

It’s not always that justice prevails (though I think it did in my story), and unfortunately, I’ve seen and heard similar situations at competitions. Parents shouting and arguing with judges, children crying, etc. It’s hard to hold competitions without feeling that you’re better than someone else. It’s easy to try to push your horse a little extra in the wrong way just to get those last few points.

It becomes especially unfair in dressage, for example, when a horse’s gaits are also judged. I’ve seen at many competitions that those who don’t have warmbloods, and therefore don’t have their type of movement, are judged down. I’ve spoken to many skilled dressage riders who have considered buying Spanish horses, for example, as they are easier to ride and more suited for certain movements, but they don’t dare to because they know that the judges won’t treat them fairly. So it’s not just about how the rider rides, but also how the horse moves.

So, how should you approach it if you want to compete? Go without expectations. See it as a journey with your horse and think of the judging as a guide to where you and your horse want to go. Treat the other competitors kindly, cheer them on, and talk about the ride with them. Maybe you’ll get tips on how to reach the next level. Remember, the others are nervous too, and they might not always show their best side 🙂 Be a friend, not a competitor. Be happy for your horse and think about all the things that went well and be glad for that 🙂

The picture is of me and my stallion Mackay at a dressage competition in the 1980s.

Life in a Nutshell!

When I was a child, riding the working horses, I would just sit and enjoy being on the horse. The reins were long, and the horse could graze if it wanted to. I mostly rode bareback, leaning slightly back and relaxing as we trotted. I followed the horse’s movement, loose and free in my body.

As I grew older and found the joy in competing, I was taught to keep my heels down, toes in, eyes up, and elbows resting on my hips. I also learned that I needed to do half-halts, and the horse had to be on the bit. I was told to grip with my knees so I could hold on if I rode bareback.

With all these “rules,” riding became harder. I listened because I wanted to improve. My body was never really built for riding; I’m tall, knock-kneed, and not particularly flexible. But I wanted to learn.

Everyone had different tricks and methods to become good, and I constantly worked on improving, making some progress along the way. I practiced for so long that certain habits became second nature… using my seat, gripping with my knees, doing half-halts!

Then I got a new trainer who told me to relax my knees. And I swear, it took just as long to unlearn gripping with my knees as it had taken to learn it in the first place.

Later, I learned that it wasn’t necessary for the toes to point inward at all, and it was perfectly fine to sit naturally with them pointing slightly outward. Since I was competing at the time, and it was required to wear spurs in competition, I found this strange because I had always been taught to point my toes inward to avoid jabbing the horse with the spurs.

I also had to learn to ride with a double bridle, as you weren’t allowed to compete at the higher levels without one. I never quite made peace with it and eventually stopped competing. Instead, I bought a young horse because then I had a long time before I needed to use spurs or a double bridle!

I reversed my “progress.” I never became a dressage star because I began riding in other disciplines and even did some driving instead.

Now, I’ve come full circle… riding with just a halter, bareback, taking it easy, leaning slightly back when we trot, and following along.

It’s funny to think that it took me a whole lifetime to realize that what I did from the start was the best, the most fun, and the simplest—and that it even gives a better connection with the horse.

Of course, if I had only ever ridden in a halter and Crocs, I wouldn’t have experienced the hunts, competitions, being a cowgirl in Australia, the jousting, or the jumping. But it’s fun to reflect on.

The circle is complete 🙂

Karlshamn Festival with the Horses!

I have driven my horses to various events many times. Especially my stallion Mackay was used to all sorts of things. While I was living in Mörrum, I couldn’t afford a car for the first few years, so I drove or rode the horses everywhere I needed to go. Even back in the 80s, it wasn’t very common to use horses for transportation, so I got various assignments, such as for bachelorette parties, graduations, and weddings.

One day, I was asked if I would consider participating in the Karlshamn Festival. At that time, I also had Mackay’s son, Magill, so I drove them as a pair. I had restored the carriage myself, and the harnesses were ones I had bought at an auction at Huseby Manor, so there was a bit of history to them.

Driving at such an event required a lot of preparation, and I did what I could to drive the horses around the village and get them used to the environment. It wasn’t just the traffic; at the festival, there would also be an orchestra, spectators, and so on. We had prepared well, and I had helpers who would walk alongside the horses, so I was confident that we could handle it.

What we encountered, however, I couldn’t have imagined. It was far more complicated than I had anticipated.

We started from Karlshamn’s riding school, where we were escorted by the mounted police. It felt safe and reassuring to have them both in front of and behind my carriage. As we reached the outskirts of Karlshamn, we were met by orchestras, dancers, sailors, and all those who would be parading through the streets. The worst part was the long wait before everything got started, as there were so many participants ahead of us. There were also a few people riding with us who weren’t used to horses; they were hooting and hollering in the back, causing quite a commotion both in front and behind the carriage.

When we finally started moving, it was very stop-and-go. We would walk a few steps and then have to wait, and it wasn’t easy for the horses to walk on the cobblestones or up the hills, so we had our work cut out for us to keep them calm. The men leading them did an excellent job. At one point, it got too much for Mackay, and he reared up. The police stepped in, riding in front of him, giving him something else to focus on.

The worst part was that people standing on the streets thought it would be a good idea to push their children forward for a better view, and more than once, they were dangerously close to getting under the horses’ hooves. It was crowded, with over 300,000 people in town.

We and the horses survived, but I swore it would be the last time I participated in a festival with the horses. I can’t describe how relieved I was when we finally got them home safely to the stable.

I don’t remember the exact year, but I believe it was 1985.

Det handler om at have de rigtige forbindelser!

Har du nogensinde tænkt på, hvordan dit liv kunne have set ud, hvis du ikke havde mødt den ene eller den anden person? Livet er fyldt med øjeblikke, hvor man indser, at man lige har mødt den rigtige person på det helt rigtige tidspunkt.

Da jeg var færdig med skolen og gymnasiet, var det store spørgsmål, hvad jeg skulle blive. Hestene betød alt for mig, og jeg ville virkelig gerne finde noget, der gjorde, at jeg kunne være tæt på dem. Men jeg hørte altid, at man ikke kunne tjene penge på heste. Det var jo en sandhed med modifikation, for jeg vidste jo, at man kunne sælge foder eller leje staldpladser ud, men det krævede en startinvestering. Jeg var også rigtig god til at male, men jeg vidste, at det ikke var noget at satse på. At male en hest kunne måske give et par hundrede kroner.

Jeg gik på en ungdomsgård, hvor man kunne tage kurser, og jeg ville prøve det hele. Til sidst endte jeg på et læderkursus, og mens alle de andre lavede bælter og tasker til sig selv, kastede jeg mig over at lave en trense til min pony. Da jeg forlod skolen, tænkte jeg, at jeg kunne blive sadelmager.

Men hvordan skulle jeg dog bære mig ad, og hvor kunne jeg starte? Der var jo ikke mange sadelmagere. På det tidspunkt havde jeg min hest opstaldet hos en mand, der hed Ole, og af en eller anden grund kom vi til at tale om, at jeg rigtig gerne ville blive sadelmager. “Jamen,” sagde han, “jeg kender en, som måske kunne bruge en lærling.” Jeg kunne næsten ikke tro mine ører, men snart kørte vi sammen ind til hans ven.

Det var midt inde i København, og jeg tænkte, at det var et mærkeligt sted at være sadelmager – der var jo ikke mange heste sådan et sted. Han havde sin forretning i en kælderlejlighed, hvor han også boede. Han havde to vinduer ud mod gaden, hvor han havde hængt nogle trenser og andet arbejde, han havde lavet. Han hed Helmuth Rasmussen, men jeg skulle kalde ham Ras, som hans venner gjorde. Ellers var han kendt som Ponysadelmageren, da han syede mange seletøj til Welsh Mountain-ponyer og leverede blandt andet til en kendt herregård. Hans arbejde var fantastisk, og når han lavede de små seletøj, sørgede han for, at alt passede til størrelsen og brugte specialbeslag, så alt passede sammen. Det, han ikke kunne købe, lavede han selv. Han var fantastisk til sit håndværk. Når han havde fri, byggede han miniaturevogne, nøjagtige kopier af de rigtige. Han havde bygget en kopi af ølvognen fra Carlsberg og også en af de kongelige kareter. Derudover lavede han trenser til dem, der red til ringridning, med muslingeskaller på hele trensen og forstykket.

Jeg var fascineret og ville lære det hele. Til min glæde var han villig til at tage mig som elev, men jeg skulle være på prøve først, sagde han, for det var ikke alle, der var skabt til håndværket. Allerede efter anden dag syntes han, jeg skulle blive, for han kunne se, hvor interesseret jeg var, og jeg blev hurtigt meget dygtig til at sy.

Jeg blev sadelmager takket være Ole, og snart oplevede jeg igen, at skæbnen ville mig det godt.

En dag, mens jeg arbejdede hos Ras, fik han besøg af en gammel nabo, der hed Knud. Knud var venlig og snakkede meget. Han havde boet ved siden af Ras i flere år, og hans børn, Leon og Lone, havde ofte besøgt Ras og kigget på tingene i hans butik. Nu var Knud bare på besøg, for han var flyttet til Sverige og arbejdede på et sted, der hed High Chaparral, hvor han var bartender. Han fortalte om stedet, som var en westernby, og der var også mange heste. Knud syntes, jeg skulle komme derop og arbejde, for de havde brug for en sadelmager, sagde han, og viste mig nogle billeder.

Jeg er jo, som jeg er, og vil altid opleve nye ting, så vi aftalte, at jeg skulle tage derop og kigge, hvis ikke andet så bare for at se, hvad det var.

Jeg tog derop i efteråret sammen med en veninde, og jeg blev ikke skuffet. Der ville jeg virkelig gerne arbejde. Knud viste os rundt og havde endda arrangeret, at vi kunne få en ridetur, selvom det var uden for sæsonen.

Knud tog mig med ind på banken, hvor chefen sad, som var Kent Erlandsson (søn af Big Bengt Erlandsson), og Knud forklarede Kent, at jeg var sadelmager, og at de havde brug for sådan en på Chaparral. “Nå,” sagde Kent, “så må det vel blive sådan,” og vi aftalte, at jeg skulle komme til foråret og arbejde der.

Sådan kan det gå, når man har de rigtige forbindelser, og jeg har lært gennem livet, at det er noget af det vigtigste, man kan have!

It’s All About Having the Right Connections!

Have you ever wondered how your life might have turned out if you hadn’t met certain people along the way? Life is full of moments where you realize you’ve met just the right person at the right time.

When I finished school and high school, the big question was what I wanted to become. Horses were the only thing that mattered to me, and I really wanted to find something that would allow me to stay close to them. However, I constantly heard that you couldn’t make money with horses. That was partly true, though I knew you could sell feed or rent out stables, but that required an initial investment. I was also very good at painting, but I knew that wasn’t something to pursue. Painting a horse might get you a few hundred crowns at best.

I spent time at a youth center where you could take various courses, and I wanted to try everything. Eventually, I ended up in a leatherworking course, and while everyone else made belts and bags for themselves, I threw myself into making a bridle for my pony. That’s when I thought, after leaving school, that I could become a saddlemaker.

But how would I go about it, and where could I even start? There weren’t many saddlemakers around. At the time, I had my horse boarded at a man named Ole’s place, and for some reason, it came up in conversation that I really wanted to become a saddlemaker. “Well,” he said, “I know someone who might need an apprentice.” I could hardly believe my ears, but soon enough, we went to meet his friend.

It was right in the middle of Copenhagen, and I thought it was a strange place to be a saddlemaker—there weren’t many horses in a place like that. His shop was in a basement where he also lived. He had two windows facing the street, where he had hung up some bridles and other works he had made. His name was Helmuth Rasmussen, but I called him Ras, as his friends did. He was otherwise known as the Pony Saddler because he made a lot of harnesses for Welsh Mountain ponies and supplied a famous estate, among others. His work was amazing, and when he made small harnesses, he made sure everything was to scale and used special fittings to match everything perfectly. If he couldn’t buy something, he made it himself. He was incredible at his craft. When he wasn’t working, he built miniature carriages, exact replicas of the real ones. He had made a copy of the beer wagon used by Carlsberg and even one of the royal carriages. Additionally, he made bridles for those who participated in ring jousting, with shells covering the entire bridle and breastplate.

I was fascinated and eager to learn everything. To my delight, he was willing to take me on as a student, but I had to be on trial first, he said, because not everyone is cut out for the profession. After just the second day, he said I could stay because he saw how interested I was, and I quickly became very good at sewing.

I became a saddlemaker thanks to Ole, and soon, fate would favor me again.

One day, while working with Ras, he was visited by an old neighbor named Knut. Knut was friendly and talked a lot. He had lived next to Ras for several years, and his children, Leon and Lone, had spent a lot of time with Ras, chatting and watching him work. Now Knut was just visiting, as he had moved to Sweden and was working at a place called High Chaparral, where he was a bartender. He talked about the place, which was a western town, and mentioned that there were a lot of horses there. Knut thought I should come and work there because they needed a saddlemaker, he said, showing me some pictures.

I’m the type who loves experiencing new things, so we agreed that I would visit, if only to see what it was all about.

I visited in the fall with a friend, and I wasn’t disappointed. I really wanted to work there. Knut showed us around and had even arranged for us to have a horseback ride, even though it was off-season.

Knut then took me to the bank where the boss, Kent Erlandsson (son of Big Bengt Erlandsson), was sitting. Knut explained to Kent that I was a saddlemaker and that they needed one at Chaparral. “Alright,” said Kent, “then that’s settled,” and we agreed that I would start working there in the spring.

That’s how it goes when you have the right connections, and I’ve noticed throughout my life that this is one of the most important things you can have!