Clipper (horse)
Clipper is a designation for a smaller, lively, and fast horse type attested since the 14th century. In Sweden it was normally landrace, that is a capable, robust horse of uncertain breed. The term "clipper" for a small, alert, and fast horse was used in many countries in northern Europe (Swedish klippare, German Klepper). The word is likely derived from the clipping noise of the hooves when the horse trotted on a hard road surface.
Clippers in Sweden
During the time of the allotment system in Sweden, certain rusthållares were obliged to maintain mounts, preferably geldings or stallions, at least 4 and at most 20 years old measuring 9 kvarter and 2 inches at the withers (138 cm or 13.5 hands). Clippers were used by the administration of the Swedish armed forces to denote horses that could serve as replacements for the rusthållare's number horse, when it was unusable or when no other horse was available. In such cases the clipper did not need to satisfy the measurements required of a number horse, but had to measure at least 120 cm at the withers.[1] Such horses were not allowed to be used for agricultural work but had to be stabled, and ridden a couple of times each week. Due to the cost and difficulty of acquiring large horses, the Swedish cavalry horses were in large part clippers. Charles XI's legendary horse Brandklipparen was a typical clipper.
Sources
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- Klippare i Nordisk familjebok (andra upplagan, 1911)
- Riksarkivets / Indelningskommissionens arkiv
- Länskungörelserna från landshövdingen (se exempelvis http://www.ukforsk.se/landshov/landshov.pdf)
- nordiskridhäst.se
Category:Extinct horse breeds Category:Military history
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