Rules for FNH's driveability certificate

Four year old mares, stallions and geldings of the North Swedish Horse breed are awarded a driveability certificate after passing a performance test in front of a judge appointed by the FNH board. The judge is to follow FNH's "Tillämpningsföreskrifter för domare vid körprov för körbarhetsintyg" (Application regulations for judges of driveability certificate performance tests).

In order to take the test for the driveability certificate, the horse must be registered in the FNH register GrStbI and be reported to the local field official in the county. Any application to a show or the like is to be made to the association arranging such. The entry fee (which is determined by the arranger) must be paid. Indicate on the entry form that the horse is to be tested for its driveability certificate.
If the horse's owner or a close relative living at the same address is a member of FNH, a driving premium is paid out. Information is sent to the horse owner in question after completion of the performance test.

The judge is to prepare a record during the test on the form intended for such purposes. The record form is to be requested from FNH. The copy is submitted to the horse owner upon completion of the test. The arranger saves a file copy and the original is sent to the FNH registrar. An approved driveability certificate is part of the breeding valuation of both the individual horse and its parents.

The test is to be carried out at a suitable time when the assessment official operates, such as assessments, breeding valuations and the like. The track must be 300-400 m long. A suitable work cart is to be used with a load weighing approximately 300 kg. The load should, however, be adjusted based on the surface and the terrain. FNH's district is responsible for ensuring that the cart is available on site. Marathon carriages, gigs and the like may not be used. The horse owner/driver should walk the test track before the start. He or she can then express any comments about the track. The driver can also refuse to drive on that track and instead wait for another performance test. If the driver has put the horse between the shafts, it is taken as a sign that the driver has approved the track.

The following elements are to be judged:
1. Hitching, unhitching
2. Starting, pulling technique
3. Halts
4. Reverse steps (rear harness recommended)
5. Temperament, cooperativeness and obedience

From a safety perspective, an assistant may be used for hitching and unhitching.
The hitching attempt may take no longer than five minutes. The horse is to be harnessed with a well fitted work harness as well as a snaffle or curb bit of an accepted type. Auxiliary reins or the like are not permitted. A maximum of 10 p can be awarded for each element, which leads to a maximum score of 50 p. The lowest score required to pass the test is 35 p.
Subpoints under 7 are only approved for the reverse steps element, where the minimum score is 5 p.

The performance test judge has the right to interrupt hitching and driving if he or she feels it is necessary for safety reasons.
FNH issues a driveability certificate and sends it to the horse owner once the original record has been received at the FNH registrar.

18 September 2006