We humans have always depicted the horse. Our ancestors carved pictures of their faithful friend in the caves and so it has continued. In the 18th century, the forest workers in the villages around Mora began to carve horses in their log cabins in the evenings. There was born the forerunner of the Dala horse of our time. Eventually, during the 1830s, the horses got floral patterns, what we today call kurbits. The horses were sold from several villages around Mora and were allowed to accompany trade travelers around the country.

The brothers Nils and Jannes Olsson were born into a poor family in Nusnäs, one of the villages in which the first Dala horses were made. They had to help with their livelihood early on by carving horses after school. In 1928, when they were only 13 and 15 years old, the brothers took out a loan of 400 riksdaler to buy a band saw and the first small Dala horse factory saw its light.

The brothers contributed to a cultural heritage that has also become the symbol of Sweden: the Dala horse. A symbol that is spread all over the world and that has its heart and origin in Nils Olsson's handicraft in Nusnäs.

Today's Dala horse production is permeated by precision and is a process in several steps. Electric machines have replaced cranking by hand, but that is also the only thing that has changed. The horses are still carved with nimble fingers and get their characteristic mug painting by skilled hands. The tradition and love of the craft is the same now as in 1928 when we started. It is our pride and driving force also in the future.