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The Latvian Light Harness Horse originated in the early 20th century in Latvia. There are three distinct types: the Standard Latvian Light Harness Horse, the lightweight Latvian, and Heavy Latvian Harness Horse. The Latvian is believed to have descended from the original stock that gave rise to all the heavy horse breeds of Europe. It was influenced by the Dole Gudbrandsdal, the North Swedish Horse, the Zemaituka, and Finnish Draft, and the Oldenburg. Since the 17th century, Thoroughbred blood was added, as well as Arabian and Oldenburg. This lead to greater refinement and quality. The lightweight Latvian has had a greater influence from the Thoroughbred, Oldenburg, and Arab than the standard Latvian. The greatest influence on the modern Latvian has probably been from the Hanoverian, Oldenburg, and Holstein. From the 1920s until the 1940s, there was an especially large amount of Oldenburg blood infused, and 42 mares and 65 stallions were imported from the Groningen stud in the Netherlands. Both the standard and the lightweight are excellent riding horses and also perform light draft work, although since the 1960s the breeding of the lightweight type has focused on producing a horse to excel in competitive riding. The modern Latvian is still periodically improved with Thoroughbred, Hanoverian, and Oldenburg blood, making it a great jumping and dressage horse. |
