Norwegian Coldblood Trotter

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is directly descended from the Dølehest, the traditional horse of the Gudbrandsdal Valley (Innlandet, Norway). Its creation is linked to the desire to develop a rustic harness racing horse, capable of competing with other Scandinavian trotters while retaining the strength and hardiness of Nordic horses.

Cradle of the breed

Gudbrandsdal Valley (Innlandet), the historical center of Døle breeding.

Selection then spread throughout Eastern and Central Norway, before being institutionalized on a national scale.

Preserved and adapted characteristics

• Heritage from the Døle: hardiness, tough hooves, endurance, calm temperament.
• Specific selection: aptitude for extended trotting, regularity, and speed adapted to Scandinavian races.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is a direct descendant of the Dølehest, shaped by the selection of the fastest and most athletic individuals, then officially recognized in 1939 as a distinct, typically Scandinavian breed.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is bred throughout Norway, but certain regions concentrate most of the population:

Norway – main zones

• Innlandet (Gudbrandsdal, Oppland, Hedmark): historical cradle of the breed, core of breeding with many studs and broodmares.
• Trøndelag (around Trondheim): second major center, combining breeding and trotting competitions.
• Østlandet (Oslo region and surroundings): breeding linked directly to race circuits and the headquarters of the Det Norske Travselskap (DNT).
• Vestlandet (western coasts): smaller-scale breeding, often linked to leisure and carriage tourism.
• Nord-Norge (Nordland, Troms, Finnmark): fewer horses, but the breed is present in local ice and snow racing.

Diffusion in Scandinavia

• Sweden: the Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is regularly crossed with the Nordsvensk Travare (Swedish coldblood trotter).
• Finland: some horses present, but the Finnish horse (Suomenhevonen) remains dominant.

The main breeding areas remain Eastern and Central Norway (Innlandet and Trøndelag), but the breed has spread nationwide and retains an important place in Scandinavian coldblood trotting competitions.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter plays a central role in the preservation and development of “coldblood” trotters (kaldblod) in Scandinavia.

Direct heir of the Dølehest

• Descended from the lighter type of Døle, it retains much of its genetic heritage.
• Ensures the transmission of hardiness, strong hooves, and endurance, which are characteristic of Norwegian horses.

Foundation of Scandinavian coldblood trotting

• Together with its Swedish equivalent (Nordsvensk Travare), it forms the genetic core of coldblood harness racing in Northern Europe.
• These two breeds share strong genetic proximity and are sometimes crossbred in a controlled way.

Preservation of a unique type

• Unlike “hotblood” trotters (Standardbred, French Trotter), the Norwegian Coldblood Trotter maintains a more robust morphology, making it particularly suited to Scandinavian climatic conditions.
• It therefore represents an original genetic reservoir, combining speed and rusticity.

Conservation of local genetic diversity

• The breed is closely monitored by the Det Norske Travselskap (DNT) and the Norsk Hestesenter, which implement strategies to avoid inbreeding.
• It also benefits from the protection of NordGen (Nordic Genetic Resource Center).

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is thus not only a national sport horse, but also a vector of genetic preservation, ensuring the survival of rustic trotting horse lineages in Northern Europe.

Ancient origins (18th–19th century)

• The breed traces back to the Dølehest of Gudbrandsdal, selected for its hardiness and natural trotting speed.
• In rural Norway, farmers organized impromptu trotting races on ice and snow with light sleds: this was the cradle of selecting the fastest horses.
• By the 19th century, lighter Døle horses were distinguished from the heavy draft type, laying the foundation for the future trotter.

Start of selection (19th century)

• The best Døle horses were occasionally crossed with faster foreign trotters (notably Swedish half-breds and some Russian and English horses).
• The goal: to combine Nordic hardiness with speed and endurance at the trot.
• Quickly, a lineage specifically adapted to local races emerged, while remaining morphologically close to the Dølehest.

Institutionalization (late 19th – early 20th century)

• Trotting races became organized in Norway, with the creation of racetracks (Bjerke, Jarlsberg, Leangen).
• The horse was designated as Kaldblodstraver (“coldblood trotter”), in contrast to “hotblood” trotters like the Standardbred.
• This type became emblematic of Scandinavian peasant races, contested over longer distances and in winter conditions.

Official recognition (1939)

• Creation of the Norsk Kaldblodstraver studbook under the authority of the Det Norske Travselskap (DNT).
• From then on, the breed was recognized as distinct from the Dølehest, though still sharing its genetic base.

20th century – Golden age of racing

• The Norwegian trotter established itself as one of the two pillars of Scandinavian coldblood trotting, alongside the Swedish Nordsvensk Travare.
• Famous lineages emerged, producing champions able to compete on Norwegian and Swedish tracks.

21st century – Between sport and heritage

• Today, the Norwegian Coldblood Trotter remains the star of Scandinavian coldblood trotting races, a discipline unique worldwide.
• At the same time, it is seen as a Norwegian cultural symbol, heir of the Dølehest and rural heritage.
• Its status is protected by NordGen and the Norsk Hestesenter, ensuring the conservation of genetic diversity.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter was born from the selection of the fastest Døle horses in the 19th century, officially recognized in 1939 as a separate breed. Today it remains a key player in Scandinavian trotting and a living heritage.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter retains the rustic and steady mind of its ancestor the Dølehest, but with a more athletic temperament, suited to trotting races.

General character

• Calm, docile, easy to handle.
• Trainable and willing, cooperative with humans.
• Good concentration ability, useful for harness work.

Energy and sporting temperament

• More lively and dynamic than the draft-type Døle, but without excessive nervousness.
• Enduring and consistent in effort, with a strong competitive instinct when harnessed.
• Adapts well to intensive training, thanks to its hardiness.

Social behavior

• Gregarious, integrates easily into a herd.
• Respectful and balanced with humans, which also makes it suitable as a leisure horse.

Behavioral versatility

• Can be both a competitive sport horse and a calm, reliable family horse.
• Handles outdoor living well, including in harsh climates.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is reliable, willing, and balanced, combining the calm rusticity of the Døle with a sporting dynamism, making it both an excellent trotting competitor and a safe leisure driving horse.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is well established in Scandinavia, but its future depends on several dynamics.

Sport and competitions

• Remains a major player in coldblood trotting (kaldblodstrav) races held in Norway and Sweden.
• Nordic competitions (notably in Bjerke, Jarlsberg, and Trondheim) highlight the breed and ensure a steady demand for quality breeding stock.
• Its role is essential to maintain the “coldblood trot” category, specific to Scandinavia, against the global dominance of “hotblood” trotters (Standardbred, French Trotter).

Conservation and genetic diversity

• The population remains modest, requiring strict management to prevent inbreeding.
• NordGen and Det Norske Travselskap (DNT) closely monitor the breed with controlled breeding programs.
• Its close kinship with the Swedish Nordsvensk Travare allows cross-border cooperation in conservation.

Economy and equestrian industry

• The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter contributes significantly to the trotting industry, which represents a major part of the Scandinavian horse economy.
• Horse race betting provides funding for the sector and promotes the breed.

Leisure and versatility

• Although primarily a sport horse, it also has potential in leisure driving and equestrian tourism, thanks to its calm temperament and hardiness.
• Sometimes used for trekking and family riding, though this remains secondary.

Outlook

• Its future is tied to the maintenance of coldblood trotting races in Norway and Sweden.
• It will remain a national cultural and sporting symbol, combining rural heritage with the modern horse-racing industry.
• Priority will be to sustain genetic diversity and increase its visibility beyond racing circles.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter has good prospects thanks to its unique role in Scandinavian trotting, but it depends on a fragile balance between sport, conservation, and heritage promotion.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter inherits the strong hardiness of the Dølehest, making it generally robust and not fragile.

General hardiness

• Excellent climatic resistance, adapted to harsh Scandinavian winters.
• Can live outdoors year-round with minimal shelter.
• Strong, hard hooves, rarely prone to serious conditions.

Longevity

• Average lifespan: 25 to 30 years.
• Can remain active in competition until 12–14 years old, then easily transition to leisure or driving.

Dietary hardiness

• Thrives on simple feed: coarse hay, poor pastures.
• Economical metabolism → requires monitoring of weight gain when not active.

Points of concern

• Joints: like all racehorses, may suffer joint issues (tendinitis, arthritis) under intensive or prolonged training.
• Respiratory system: risk of mild respiratory conditions if trained in dusty or poorly ventilated environments.
• Overweight: watch out for retired racehorses, which tend to gain weight quickly at rest.
• Pastern dermatitis: possible in prolonged wet conditions, though less frequent than in heavy draft horses.

Reproduction

• Good fertility, foals generally vigorous.
• Lineages are closely monitored to preserve genetic variability.

The Norwegian Coldblood Trotter is a solid, hardy, and enduring horse requiring little special care, though it needs specific monitoring for joints and weight management.