Lighter lines are bred for harness racing, and are registered in the stud-book of the Svensk Kallblodstravare (Swedish Coldblood Trotter).

It appears to derive from selective breeding of local horses, possibly with some influence from Friesian stock in the distant past.

[6] In Dalarna a local veterinary surgeon named Wilhelm Hallander Hedemora started a movement to recover and preserve the remaining stock.

Dølehest stallions were imported from Norway, and in 1900 the breed was officially recognised as the Nordsvenska Hästen.

[6] In 1966 the breed was divided into two sub-types – a lighter type suitable for trotting, and a heavier one better suited to forestry work.