🩺 Gotland Horse Breed: A Vet’s 2025 Guide | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Meta description: 🌾 A 2025 veterinary guide by Dr Duncan Houston on the Gotland horse—heritage, traits, care, health and performance with Ask A Vet support.

1. 🌍 Historical Background

The Gotland horse originates from the island of Gotland, Sweden, dating back to the Viking era. Traditionally used as a versatile farm and forest pony, it played roles in draft, riding, and driving. Rediscovered in the mid-20th century, it was refined into a multi-purpose sport and family horse.

2. 📏 Physical Traits

• Height: 13 to 14.3 hh (52–59 in)
• Head: Refined, straight-profiled head with bright, alert eyes
• Neck & body: Moderate neck, well-developed topline, deep barrel
• Limbs: Strong bones, sturdy joints, sure-footed pasterns
• Movement: Calm and fluid paces—comfortable trot and canter

3. 🧠 Temperament & Suitability

Gotlands are known for their gentle, intelligent and adaptable character. They form strong bonds with owners and are patient with children, making them perfect school and family horses. They also display enthusiastic yet manageable disposition suitable for amateur riders.

4. 🎯 Disciplines & Use

• School pony: Calm and responsive—ideal for young riders
• Trail and pleasure riding: Sure-footed and easy to handle
• Driving: Suitable for light harness in leisure or competition
• Sport pony: Competes in low–medium level dressage, jumping, and combined events
• Therapy or recreational riding: Gentle nature makes them ideal for equine-assisted programs

5. 🩺 Routine Care & Management

• Hoof care: Trim/shoe every 6–8 weeks; barefoot is often successful
• Dental care: Annual teeth check and float; especially important in seniors
• Vaccinations: Standard equine vaccines annually
• Deworming: FEC-guided strategy to reduce resistance
• Nutrition: Pasture and hay-based feeding; supplement only if needed for work or condition

6. 🍽️ Nutrition & Condition

• Forage-based feeding: 1.5–2% body weight daily in quality hay/pasture
• Supplements: Vitamin-mineral balancers and electrolytes during heat or work
• Weight checks: Maintain BCS 5–6/9; adjust rations to prevent obesity or loss of condition

7. 🏋️ Conditioning & Training

• Groundwork: Basic handling, lunging, and desensitization
• Ridden work: Start with walk–trot, then introduce canter and transitions for balance
• Trail: Long strides and terrain variation improve fitness and confidence
• Driving: Gentle harness introduction and harness etiquette training

8. 🐎 Health Concerns & Monitoring

• Worm control: Resistance prevention via FECs and pasture hygiene
• Hoof issues: Cracks or soft soles on wet terrain—manage footing and trim
• Dental care: Check for wolf teeth, retained caps, and bit comfort
• Laminitis risk: Manage lush pasture access, especially in spring
• Arthritis: Monitor older or performance-dedicated individuals for joint stiffness

9. 🛡️ Preventive Veterinary Strategy

• Annual physicals with vaccination and Coggins
• Regular bloodwork for older horses or those showing weight/joint changes
• Joint fluid sampling or imaging if limping occurs
• Watch for metabolic indicators: insulin dysregulation testing in spring/summer

10. 🔄 Suitable Rider Profiles

• Families with children or teens
• Novice to intermediate riders seeking confidence-building mounts
• Leisure riders wanting an easy-going companion for trail and pleasure use
• Therapy or program providers requiring dependable temperament

11. 💬 Ask A Vet: Personalized Support

Through **Ask A Vet**, you can:

• 📸 Submit photos or videos of movement to detect early lameness or soreness
• 📋 Receive customized feeding, fitness, and deworming schedules
• 📆 Set up reminders for farrier, dental, vaccinations, and spring pasture monitoring
• 🎓 Participate in webinars on pony health, laminitis prevention, and early saddlebreaking guidance

12. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Gotland good for beginners?

Yes—they are calm, sensible, and forgiving—ideal for youth or novice riders under supervision.

Do Gotlands compete?

Absolutely—they succeed in low-to-mid level dressage, show jumping, driving, and charity equine programs.

Are they easy keepers?

Yes—they require minimal feed, but easily gain weight on lush pasture; this should be monitored.

13. ✅ Final Takeaway

• Gotlands are versatile, gentle, and hardy—perfect for families, schools, and light sport
• Health maintenance includes worming, hoof, dental, and laminitis safeguarding
• Gentle training builds confidence and harmony across disciplines
• Ask A Vet offers bespoke advice to keep your Gotland fit, healthy, and happy 💙

🐾 Interested in a Gotland?

Thinking of adding a Gotland to your family, school, or program? Reach out via Ask A Vet for health checklists, feeding guidance, and fitness plans—so your Gotland thrives in home, field, and fun-goals throughout 2025! 🌾💞