The Freiberger horse is a horse breed from Switzerland, from the Jura region, described as either a “heavy warmblood” or a “light coldblood”. It was widely used as draft and pack horse in the Swiss army. It has a good disposition and is versatile, suitable for both driving and riding.
The presence of an autochthonous horse breed in the Jura traces to the year 1619.
By the early 19th century, there were active breeders in the district of Franches-Montagnes. In 1817, there were 4,000 breeding mares on record. The horses were bred for use in agriculture and by the army as pack animals and artillery draft horses. There are records of imports of Anglo-Norman horses for the year 1821, and of other horses from England, France, Hannover and Oldenburg for the year 1830, with the goal to overcome the faults of the landrace breed, which was viewed as inferior due to its heavy and thick head, short neck and sloping rump, though its frame was considered excellent.
The name Freiberger appeared in the late 19th century, used for the three types of horse previously named after the districts of Franches-Montagnes, Porrentruy, and Delémont. These types were called cheval de Jura and later Franches-Montagnes regardless of which district from which they originated. They also had been called race welsche.