Background
A new impact analysis of the equine sector in Finland carried out by Gaia Consulting (completed in February 2023) showed that the horse has positive impact in many areas in Finland. The analysis considers several impact factors, including conservation and biodiversity, carbon sequestration, economy, and social influences, and therefore provides a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and environmental benefits of the equine sector to society than has been demonstrated previously. With a growing concern regarding maintaining biodiversity and reducing global emissions, the equine sector could prove important for mitigating species decline and reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In Finland, horses help preserve a variety of threatened biotypes and their species by grazing. Further, sporting events, like harness racing has played a key role in preserving the Finnhorse as a unique indigenous breed. With regards to global emission of greenhouse gases, the equine sector can impact carbon sequestration by cultivating horse feed and enhancing the capacity of soil and vegetation to bind carbon through grazing.
Organization and registration of horse breeding in Finland
The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for preparing laws and regulations related to the equine sector in Finland. Laws and regulations focus mainly on prevention of disease transmission, but also include laws regarding animal welfare. The latest Animal Welfare Act (693/2023) was introduced recently (2024). In addition, new amendments to that are currently in preparation. General animal welfare requirements are laid down in the Animal Welfare Act, the Animal Transport Act, the Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, and the Act on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific or Educational Purposes. The Finnish Food Authority is responsible for following and executing the laws and regulations. The Finnish Food Authority does not provide a central database for horses. The Finnish Food Authority has forwarded most of these responsibilities to Suomen Hippos ry who has a registry of all equine species other than Estonian Draft Horse and Irish Cobs and issues EU passports for these horse breeds in Finland. Suomen Irlannincobyhdistys-FSIC ry and Eestin Raskaat Vetohevoset ry issue passports for the breeds Irish cob and Estonian heavy draft horse.
Population Statistics
There are total of 72 000 horses in Finland. 14 of the breeds are studbook breeds. There is inconsistency in classification of horse breeds compared between DAD-IS and Suomen Hippos’ register.
There is only one native horse breed in Finland, the Finnhorse, with four sub-types within the breed: trotter, riding, draft horse and pony type. Its overall population size is 19 704 (2024), and ~1000 foals are born each year: where 70-75% of the foals are trotters, 15% are riding horses, and 3% are draft horses and pony type horses. In the light of these numbers, the Finnhorse with its four subtypes is endangered.
Based on the DAD-IS database, which was last updated in 2019, the overall population size has fluctuated between 24 730 and 16 800 individuals over the registration period 1986-2019 (Figure 4A). The number of breeding Finnhorse females has decreased dramatically from 2745 to 1000 since the registration began in 1983 (Figure 4B). The number of breeding stallions, on the other hand, has increased from 196 to 280.