Projects

As a European network, SmP participates in transnational projects.

The following projects have been completed so far.
Horse-Powered Farming, a retro-innovation in small-scale agriculture. A Case study of Small-Scale Farming in Northern Italy.

MSc thesis of Anna Garre
Partners:
Stockholm Resilience Centre (Stockholm / Sweden)
Stockholms Universitet (Stockholm / Sweden)
Uppsala Universitet (Uppsala / Sweden)

complete thesis:

article:

Study of the benefits of draught springs in the interaction between draught horses and implements

This link leads to a poster, which was presented on this subject at the “7th International Colloquium on Working Equids” at the Royal Holloway University in London from 1 to 3 July 2014.

“Pferdearbeit neu gemacht”

Masterwork by Julia Bar-Tal
OLiB e.V. (Müncheberg / Germany)
Period: 02/01/2017 – 12/31/2017
Funding: Heidehof Foundation

„Betrachtung von Hacktechnik für den einspännigen Arbeitspferdeeinsatz“

Project work by Anna Neubauer
University of Kassel – Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences (Kassel / Germany)
Period: 08/07/2018 – 30/11/2018
Funding: SmP

“Hästbruk i historisk parkanläggning”

Project work by Siri Berg
Gunnebo Slott och Trädgård (Mölndal / Sweden)
Period: 10/14/2019 – 11/29/2020
Funding: Hantverkslaboratoriet – University of Gothenburg / SmP

 

 

The following projects are currently in preparation or execution.

Research project “Arbetshästen in framtiden” (link)

On April 21, a new application for the project “Arbetshästen i framtiden” was submitted to the Formas foundation. With standardized draft tests, the variation of the draft performances between individual horses of the three Swedish workhorse breeds Nordsvenska hästen, Svenska Ardenner and Gotlandsruss is to be evaluated. The aim is to improve the breeding programs and the horse’s welfare during work. Furthermore, the findings should improve the construction of new horse-drawn equipment.

The project group consists of researchers of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU in Uppsala and the University of Gothenburg, representatives of the Swedish Horse Industry Foundation HNS, the Swedish National Equestrian Centre Wången and BRUNTE representing besides Sveriges Hästkörare also JUF and the three breeding associations AFSA, FNH and SRAF, as well as the European non-profit network Schaff mat Päerd SmP.

The decision about the approval of the project’s funding is expected for November 2022. The project is supposed to be carried out within four years, testing a total of 150 work horses. SmP’s preliminary study about the dynamometer for the standardized tests can be found on our web page.

 
Horsepower – Innovation in small-scale agriculture and gardening” (link), (link)

Partners:

Leader Lëtzebuerg West (Tuntange / Luxembourg)
Leader PH (Hässleholm / Sweden)
Hälde Hästkraft (Vittsjö / Sweden)
Uppsala Universitet (Uppsala / Sweden)
Lyckegård Group AB (Staffanstorp / Sweden)

 

Research project green-manure crops management in Croatia (Link)

Together with the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, SmP will carry out joint scientific field trials on various organic fertilization methods between April and September 2023. In addition to our draft force measuring equipment, also newly developed modern horse-drawn implements will be supplied.