[1] Known from the 6–7th centuries, it was used as a war horse by the Lithuanians during the Northern Crusades and is hailed in Lithuania as part of the state's historic heritage.

[4] Once popular, the breed was brought to the brink of extinction by changing agricultural demands and World War II.

Horses that belonged to the kolkhozes (collective farms) were distributed to private owners, who often showed little interest in the survival of the breed.

With limited crossbreeding with North Swedish Horse, a deliberate effort was made to increase the size and bulk of the animals so that they could be used for both riding and draft work.

The horses are usually a dun color and often display the primeval dorsal stripe, but they may also be brown, bay, black, or palomino.

[5] As with other domestic animals around the world, studies have been carried out on this horse's genetic heritage, since it may possess unique characteristics.

[5] In 2004 study, scientists discovered allele T, common among the Žemaitukas and observed only a few times among all other tested horse breeds.