Read About Dala Horses

The Dala Horse is a part and parcel of culture and handcrafted tradition of Sweden. Here's everything you need to know about this horse breed.

Dala Horses - Horse Breed Facts

1. Breed Group:

   The Dala horse is the traditional symbol of Sweden. It is actually a vividly painted wooden horse having a standard shape. The original Dala horse from where the modern versions have been inspired is the Dalahast.

2. Height & Weight:

   There are no height and weight restrictions on the Dala horse. They are available in many shapes and sizes.

3. Coat:

   Dala horses are carved of wood. Earlier they had the wooden texture as their only external finish, but since the last century and a half they are vividly painted.

4. Head & Neck:

   Dala horses have geometrically triangular heads, which taper at the muzzle. The neck line is straight, and its slope allows the muzzle to point towards the ground.

5. Body:

   The body of the Dala horse is oddly crafted. It has got a toy-like shape, which is because it was initially made out of unused wood parts of clocks.

6. Conformation:

   Dala horses have a fixed shape, which has been handed down from generations. Their body consists of a head, neck and trunk, but it has no tail.

7. Colors:

   The traditional method of painting them is in red, with the details shown in white, green and blue.

8. Gait:

   Dala horses are depicted in stationary standing positions.

9. Popularity:

   The Dala horses are so popular that they are omnipresent in the country of Sweden. They have become synonymous with Swedish culture.

10. Registries:

    There are no registries for the Dala horse.

Dala Horses - Horse Breed Origins

1. Country of Origin:

   The Dala horse was first crafted in Sweden.

2. Lineage/Bloodline:

   The Dala horse was crafted by workmen who used woodwork in log cabins to pass their time.

3. Historical Information:

   The first ever Dala horse is believed to have been made about four hundred years ago. It was initially designed as a toy for children, but it attained its legendary and almost pious status only later.

Dala Horses - Horse Breed Defining Characteristics

1. Training Ease:

   The Dala horses are not meant to be trained.

2. Temperament:

   Dala horses were depicted to be calm and workaholic horses. In fact, the sculpting of the Dala horse was a method of expressing gratitude to the horses which were very important on roads, mills and farms.

3. Child Friendly:

   Dala horses were made to be toys for children. Children still like to play with them.

4. Behavior:

   The Dala horse has no behavioral attributes.

5. Riding Ease:

   Dala horses cannot be ridden.

6. Uses:

   Dala horses were toys, that have now become a part of Swedish folklore.

Dala Horses - Horse Breed Concerns

1. Health Issues:

   Dala horses have no health issues.

2. Feeding:

   Being wooden toy horses, Dala horses do not need to be fed.

3. Outfitting:

   Dala horses are hand painted with a saddle.

Dala Horses - How to Choose a Horse Breed

1. What to Look for:

   There is nothing to look for in a Dala horse as it is a standard design handcrafted in wood.

2. What you will Need:

   You can buy a Dala horse for $25 to $125 depending on its size and handiwork.