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Organization: mbp IT GmbH at ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1993 15:03:46 CET
From: Dr. Lutz Massonne LMASSONN@ESOC.BITNET
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: German Warmblood Breeds - Intro (1/14)
A Short Introduction to German Breeds
-------------------------------------
As this topic pops up from time to time, I have tried to
write a summary of the German breeds and their characteristics.
At first let me apologise for my attempts to translate German texts
into English. Please feel free to contact me if parts are unclear,
wrong or my wording is clumsy at my e-mail address
LMASSONN@ESOC.BITNET
or my X-400 address
C=DE;A=DBP;P=ESA;O=ESOC;S=MASSONNE;G=LUTZ .
I will try to improve this text(s) to make it some sort of FAQ
and will be happy for any corrections or additions.
The texts are translated from three (German) books and referenced
as follows:
(1): Pferde und Ponys by Georgie Henschel, 1986, Delphin Verlag,
Muenchen, ISBN 3-7735-3109-5
(english original: horses and ponies, 1979, Grisewood and Dempsey Ltd.)
(2): Rassepferde by Leni Fiedelmeier, 1987, Prisma Verlag,
Guetersloh, ISBN 3-570-01841-5
(3): Das Pferd von A-Z: Rassen, Zucht, Haltung by Gerhard Kapitzke,
1989, BLV Verlagsgesellschaft, Muenchen, ISBN 3-405-13275-4
This text is divided into a general introduction into the German
breeding regions and a number of texts for each regional breed.
Let me start with the definition of
Warmblood
---------
Warmblood does not specify a certain blood temperature, but the average
temper of light to medium heavy riding and cart horse breeds. These
breeds originate in crosses of Thoroughbred horses with rural or draft
horses or from mixtures of different warmblood breeds. After some time
these crosses have stabilised their appearance into distinct breeds.
As they originate from different lines with different purposes, the
appearance of the warmblood breeds lies between the extremes
Thoroughbred and draft horse. Thus, all breeds which are not
definitely Thoroughbred, Draft or pony are classified as warmblood.
However, this applies only in Germany. International practice defines
crosses and mixtures as "part-bred" or "half-bred". (3)
Breeding Regions
----------------
The crude ASCII picture below shall outline a map of Germany
and the respective breeding regions.
. .
. .
North Denmark Baltic Sea
Sea !___! __ East Prussia---}
! \ / \ ......
........______! \__________! ______.. Ho=Holstein
Nether ! . . .. Ho . . ! Ol=Oldenburg
lands ! .Ol. .. . Me . ! Me=Mecklenburg
1 .... ...... . ! Poland Han=Hannover
! ........ Br \ SAn=Sachsen-Anhalt
B ____....... Han . . \ W=Westfalen
e ! . . . SAn . ....\ Rh=Rheinland
l ! . W .. . . ...... \ Br=Brandenburg
g !Rh . .. ... ............ Sa / Th=Thueringen
i ! ..... ... Th . ______/ He=Hessen
u !... . He ....... _____/ Zw=Zweibruecken
m ! Zw . ... ...\ Wu=Wuerttemberg
!__ ......... \ Sa=Sachsen
!____. . \ Bay=Bayern
! Wu . Bay !
! . / Tchechoslovakia
France ! . !
!_____________________!
Switzerland Austria
Stallion Testing:
----------------
According to German law, all stallions to be used for breeding
of warmblood and Arabian horses have to undergo a test between the
age of 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 years before they are allowed to breed.
Tested is pulling power in front of the sled, gaits and strides in
front of the trot cart, ability to canter and jump under the rider on
the trail and on the racetrack, the overall physical ability and the
character. Stallions of Thoroughbred and Trotter breeds are tested for
speed and endurance.
And just to add some recent historical perspective, I add one text
I wrote some time ago on the topic of the East German breeds:
Breeds in the former German Democratic Republic:
------------------------------------------------
The former East German state unified all different breeds to the "Edles
Warmblut" (Noble Warmblood) breed, all bearing the brand of the former
Prussian Neustadt stud (which is now the Brandenburg state stud).
This breed (Edles Warmblut) contained the Brandenburger breed, the
Mecklenburg breed, the Saxony and Thuringian breeds, they were
centrally marketed and sold. Additionally, there was the "Schweres
Warmblut" (Heavy Warmblood) breed which contained the carriage horses.
These horses had all the Neustadt brand (An arrow witch a winding snake)
and a letter E or S, designating the type (E=Edles; S=Schweres Warmblut)
Now after the unification of Germany, the newly formed states
(Brandenburg, Mecklenburg, Saxony, Thuringia) all have formed (or
re-established) their state studs and will also sell and register the
horses under different breed names. I think (but do not know for sure)
that also new brands will be used, as the Neustadt brand will be used
exclusively for Brandenburg.
Bayrisches Warmblut (Bavarian Warmblood)
----------------------------------------
The old Bavarian "Rottaler" breed was used to form the Bavarian
warmblood, modelled to the modern sporthorse type. The breed is based
on the lighter type of the Hanoverian. Also English Thoroughbred and
Trakehner stallions were used. Since 1963 the Bavarian warmblood is
registered as separate breed, breeding goal is an elegant warmblood
horse with large flat strides, usable for all equine sports.
Exterior: Elegant large warmblood horse, similar to the Hanoverian.
Well set large neck, heavy chest, long sloping shoulder and high
withers. Well muscled, long back, strong legs with massive hocks.
Size: Up to 170 cm
Colour: Mainly bay and chestnut
Usage: Multi-purpose sport horse with good character and large,
flat strides. (2)
...
The Bavarian warmblood has its home in the state to Bavaria. The
breeding goal is a riding horse for sport and pleasure purposes.
Bavaria is one of the oldest horse breeding regions in Germany and was
known in the past for the local Rottal horse. Already at the times of
the crusades the 'Rottal chestnuts" were praised as good riding
horses. At the end of the 18th century Holstein stallions with
Neapolitan and Andalusian bloodlines and in the 1st half of the 19th
century half-breds of Norfolk, Zweibruecken and Normandy blood were
mixed in. As the breed aimed mainly at military usage, the horses
became too light for farming use. The desired strong calibre horse
breed was achieved by using Normandy and Oldenburg stallions. The
Rottal heavy warmblood horse for carriage and field use was very much
in demand until the second world war. However, todays Bavarian
warmbloods are mainly based on Hanoverian and Westphalian blood, which
dominates their appearance. Small doses of Thoroughbred and Trakehner
blood were also used for refinement. After the abandoning of the
Landshut state stud the stud at Schwaiganger ("Haupt- und Landgestuet")
became the centre of the Bavarian breeding. (3)
Brandenburger
-------------
In 1787 the still existing stud at Neustadt on the Dosse was founded.
The breed was intended to be a multi-purpose warmblood horse, heavy
enough for all farming uses and light enough as carriage horse. After
the second world war the breed was re-built based on Hanoverian and
Trakehner stallions, the breed is not longer aiming for a heavy
warmblood horse but for the sport horse type nowadays desired everywhere.
Exterior: Medium sized head, well set neck of medium length, straight
and strong back, well-muscled, rather long croup. Strong legs.
Size: Around 165 cm
Usage: Riding and driving horse with quiet temper
Colour: Mainly bay (2)
Hannoveraner (Hanoverian)
-------------------------
The Hanoverian ranks under the well-known German warmblood breeds and
result from the interest of the Kings of England and Hanover in the
horses of the region. King George I had a lot of English Thoroughbred
stallions crossed with various local Hanoverian mares, some of them
descendants of the heavy horses of the medieval times. George II from
England founded the state stud ("Landgestuet") at Celle in 1735,
keeping Holstein and Thoroughbred stallions. For many years the
breeding of all-purpose horses for riding, driving and agriculture
(plowing...) was the aim of the stud. After world war II the breed
changed over to create elegant riding and sport horses with the help of
Trakehner and Thoroughbred blood. Today the Hanoverian is a very
successful top-dressage and showjumping breed. The average height is
160 to 170 cm, its characteristics are power, willingness to work,
calmness and good manners. It has the spirit of the English
Thoroughbred, but not its speed. The outer appearance is good, but
sometimes simple. All clear colours exist, but mostly bay, red-bay and
black. (1)
...
Not without reason the state of Niedersachsen ("Lower Saxony") has a
jumping horse on its state ensign. Horses played and still play an
important role in this state of the Federal Republic of Germany. In
1888 the Hanover breed registry was founded, in 1922 its functions were
taken over by the "Provincial society of Hanoverian horse breeders"
which is today the "Society of breeders of the Hanoverian warmblood
horse". Nearly all stallions are kept by the state, the about 150 to
160 stallions based in the city of Celle have to take a test of several
months before they are allowed to breed. Apart from the obvious
physical features the test also concentrates on the character. The
Hanoverian shall not only be an excellent sport horse, but also a
pleasant partner for the pleasure rider.
As the Hanoverian breed shall not be too large, the part of
Thoroughbreds in the breed has increased lately. However, mainly
Trakehner stallions ("Abglanz", "Semper Idem") have proved their worth
in the Hanover breed.
The warmblood horse of the Hanover breed has a large number of breeding
regions in Germany. In Bavaria warmbloods are bred based on Hanoverian
bloodlines. The Westphalian horse is from its origin also a Hanover
breed, but with a registry of its own and an own state stud at
Warendorf. Also the Mecklenburg and Brandenburg breeds in the (former)
German Democratic Republic are based on Hanoverian bloodlines.
Exterior: The head sometimes is a bit heavy, although of noble
outline, with well set long neck The different ground conditions in the
breeding regions create a rather large bandwidth in the type. There
are heavy types with great jumping ability as well as noble, light
Hanoverians, well suited for dressage or pleasure riding.
Colours: Mostly bay and chestnut, but also black and grey horses
Size: 165 to 175 cm
Usage: All-purpose horse. In Europe the Hanoverian horses
dominate show-jumping by quantity as well as quality (2)
...
Hanoverian, warmblood breed, local in Lower Saxony.
Breeding goal: Riding horse for sport and pleasure riding.
Planful breeding started in 1735 with the founding of the Celle state
stud by Elector George II of Hanover, who acquired 13 Holstein
stallions with Neapolitan/Andalusian bloodlines for use with the rural
broodmare stock. The number of state stallions increased to 100 until
the end of the 18th century, including Frederiksborg, Trakehner and
Andalusian stallions. During Napoleon's times the breed was heavily
damaged, only 30 of stallions, evacuated to Mecklenburg, returned to
Celle. The rebuilding of the stud based on stallions from Mecklenburg
and from England. In the middle of the 19th century one third of the
stallions were Thoroughbred, who threatened to over-refine the strong
warmblood type for agricultural and military purposes. Just in time
the number of Thoroughbred stallions was reduced then. The zenith of
state breeding was reached in the first half of this century. In the
1920's 500 and in the 1940's 560 state stallions were breeding with the
over 35,000 broodmares. A number of high-quality Trakehner stallions,
who had been evacuated from East Prussia to Lower Saxony just in time,
refined the Hanoverian breed after the war. At the low tide of
breeding around 1960 only 4200 broodmares and 180 state stallions were
left, but at the end of the 60's the sport and pleasure riding took a
unforeseen rise. According to the demand, the Hanoverian changed to
today's light and elegant riding horse. Lower Saxony is the largest
closed warmblood breeding region in Germany today with about 15000
broodmares, 100 private and 210 state stallions. The Hanoverian is an
internationally respected type of the modern riding horse with
international success in dressage and showjumping. It it used in many
breeding regions, even outside of Germany. For refinement purposes the
state stud now has 20 Thoroughbred and 2 Trakehner stallions. The size
of the Hanoverian lies between 165 and 175 cm, the most common colours
are chestnut, bay and black. The yearly auctions at Verden/Aller are
renown. (3)
Hesse (Hessian)
---------------
Although less known than Hanoverian, Holstein or Trakehner, the Hessian
belongs to the "first class" of German warmblood breeds. In earlier
times the heavier type was preferred, but today the Hessian warmblood
became lighter. Apart from Hanoverian stallions also Trakehner
stallions are used, which results in the common modern sport horse
type. The state of Hessen is, as Westphalia and Hanover, a "horse
country" and has a very large number of broodmares.
Exterior: Like the Hanoverian a warmblood breed which can carry all
kinds of riders, from lightweight to heavyweight. An elegant horse
with much temperament, used for "big sport" as well as for the pleasure
rider. A Hessian horse was in 1974 winner of the difficult jumping
derby at Klein-Flottbek: "Kosmos" ridden by Hartwig Steenken. (2)
...
Hessian warmblood, located in the state of Hessen.
Reliable sources for local breeds in Hessen do not exist. There was no
state breeding based on the local farmers in the former centuries. The
princely stables bred with imported breeds according to the period's
fashion and for their own use only, creating no unique breed type. The
only exception was the Beberbeck stud which existed until 1929 and had
a good name for noble half-breds. After being included in the Prussian
stud agency in 1866 the Hessian breeders could not compete with the
more important breeds of the other Prussian provinces. Therefore the
rural breeders concentrated on breeding of draft horses as those were
in large demand. The still existing warmblood breeding based on
Oldenburg bloodlines was hardly noticed. Around 1960 the breeding of
the modern riding horse started based on Hanoverian and Westphalian
horses, Thoroughbred, Trakehner and Arabian stallions were used for
refinement. Today Hessen is the 4th ranking warmblood breeding region
with 4000 broodmares and 60 state stallions, based in the Hessian state
stud at Dillenburg (3)
Holsteiner
----------
Being a horse similar to the Hanoverian, only a bit heavier, the
Holstein breed can be traced back to the medieval war-horses of the
14th century. By crossing in Spanish and Arabian blood the breed
became lighter. Since the 19th century the Holstein carries more
English half-bred and thoroughbred blood, which made him a good
multi-purpose horse with success in international sports. To keep the
warmblood type, no more Thoroughbred blood may be crossed in any more.
The Holsteiner is bred primarily in the surrounding of the city of
Elmshorn in the Holstein region. With an average height of 160 to 170
cm the Holstein is heavily built, with good shoulders and a compact,
rounded body, large barrel and a heavy croup. The legs are short and
heavily boned. The Holstein is willing and very adaptable, has good
nerves and intelligence. The most common colours are bay, dark bay and
black. (1)
...
On the fat pastures of the marshes as well as on the dry grounds of the
"Geest" (the less plentiful inland region - LM) already during the
Middle Ages excellent horses were bred. Dukes of Holstein, Danish
kings and not least the monasteries were sponsors of horse breeding
"for toiling the land as well as for the woes of war", as written in
old chronicles. Stallions from Andalusia brought to the Holstein horse
the proud outlook and the high knee action. Holstein stallions were
valuable assets, the founded not only the Hanover breed, but also were
used in Oldenburg, Mecklenburg and Westphalia.
However, the Holstein type stabilised only when Yorkshire Coach
stallions were imported from England in the last century. The
stallions "Owstwick", "Brilliant" and "Burlington Turk" are seen as the
foundation fathers of today's Holsteiner.
During the Prussian time of Holstein the state stud ("Landgestuet")
Traventhal was founded in 1867. In 1891 the breeders on the marshes
united, and in 1896 the Geest region breeders also founded a society.
In 1935 both societies united to form todays Holstein breeder
association. Of great importance was the founding of the Riding and
Diving school at Elmshorn in 1894. The schools goals were and still
are: education of the young breeders, schooling of horses to prepare
them for top-class sport, successful public relations for the Holstein
horse. In 1960 the state stud Traventhal was closed, as the number of
breeding acts had rapidly declined. The stallions were then
transferred to the breeder's association. The breeding goal of the
association is: production of a marketable horse type with the assets
of a riding horse, but still keeping the characteristics of a rural
multi-purpose horse. To achieve this goal, mainly Thoroughbred
stallions with steeplechase success were used, to keep the jumping
abilities of the Holstein breed. Todays Holsteiner is somehow similar
to the English or Irish Hunter, a powerful and noble horse, suited for
showjumping as well as driving. Holstein teams are very successful at
driving competitions. Although the number of horses of Holstein breed
is much smaller than those of Hanoverian or Westphalian breed, the
number of Holstein horses in competition driving is equal to the other
breeds.
It is not possible to look at the Holstein breed without a word of
honour for the most famous four-legged Holsteiner. Fritz Thiedemann's
"Meteor" was the best of the best of Holsteins many good showjumpers,
known and successful on all large European events. His statue is
located in front of the Elmshorn riding and driving school.
Exterior: Sometimes heavy head with Roman nose. Well-set neck and good
proportioned shoulder, deep and broad chest. Strong, sometimes rather
long back with muscular loin and well-muscled croup. Correctly formed
legs with clear tendons and joints. In its original type a heavy-boned
large horse with large canter strides and enormous jumping ability, the
modern type is a bit more noble.
Colour: mainly bay (light bay to dark bay), seldom chestnut or grey
Size: 165 to 175 cm
Usage: All-round horse for riding and driving with special jumping
ability. (2)
...
Holsteiner: warmblood breed, local in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
The breed is a private breed based on local farmers with stallions
belonging to the breeder's society at Elmshorn. Holstein is a rather
small breeding region with about 3000 broodmares which created a large
number of international top class sport horses for dressage,
showjumping and driving. The Holstein is a strong riding horse with a
size from 160 to 170 cm, mainly bay horses. The breed is known since
the Middle Ages and was carried mainly by monasteries, nobility and the
Danish court, including the local farmers. During the 16th and 17th
century Spanish and Neapolitan stallions were crossed in, who dominated
the appearance of the Holstein until the 19th century with features
like Roman nose and impressive size. At those times the Holstein was
in great demand as a carriage and riding horse with high knee action
all over Europe. Holstein stallions influenced many local breeds or
were even used as a basis. In the 16th century the Royal stables of
Phillip II of Spain and the Hessian prince's stables at Dillenburg
bought many Holstein stallions, in 1735 the state stud at Celle was
founded with 13 Holstein stallions as basis of Hanover's breed. In
1767 Holstein stallions went to Westphalia to improve the small local
breeds and 1780 some Holstein stallions were sold to Oldenburg. The
French equestrian writer Gueriniere praised the Holsteins value as a
riding horse and France bought thousands of cavalry horses in
Holstein. In the 19th century the breed type changed by adding heavy
doses of English Thoroughbred blood who at last dominated the
appearance of the Holstein riding horse. The Prussian stud agency
founded the state stud Traventhal in 1867, which bred mainly for
military purposes and did not suit the needs of the rural breeders. As
a countermeasure they founded the Holstein breeding society in 1891 and
the riding and driving school at Elmshorn in 1894, which until today
manages education, marketing and private stallion keeping. The state
stud was closed in 1960 in the course of the overall decline of horse
breeding. (3)
Mecklenburger
-------------
(The following text is taken from an information leaflet of the
Mecklenburg state stud at Redefin - LM)
History of the Redefin State Stud ("Landgestuet")
Redefin is linked to the Mecklenburg horse breeding since the start of
the 18th century. Already in 1710 a ruler's stud existed at Redefin,
which supplied noble horses to the Dukes of Schwerin's stables.
From 1795 until 1810 this stud was leased out, from then on it was
run as a state stud until 1847.
The founding of the Redefin State Stud was in 1812 by Duke Friedrich
Franz I. of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to improve the horse breeding in the
country. Already in 1817 20 stallions served the breeding stations at
Luebz, Schwerin, Rehna Doberan, Grevesmuehlen and Redefin. In the year
1840 the Redefin stud ran 26 breeding stations, staffed by 134
stallions. The usage of English Thoroughbred in connection with the
local broodmare stock resulted in horses, which were renown throughout
Europe, but this bloodline was exaggerated. In 1847 only 17% of the
state stallions had less than 25% Thoroughbred blood. This, in
connection with sloppy breeding, resulted in horses less usable for
commercial purposes. To correct for this, the fraction of Thoroughbred
and noble half-bred stallions among the state stallions was reduced.
However, at the same time the mistake was made to increase the use of
draft horse stallions for cross-breeding. The use of draft horse
stallions, which peaked in 1867 with 39 stallions (30% of the stallion
stock), resulted in a severe blow to the country's breeding. With the
acquisition of Hanoverian stallions and a reduction of the draft horse
stallion fraction from 1873 on the country's horse breeding
concentrated on a new, stable goal. In 1915 the state stud had 142
stallions, in use on 39 breeding stations. While the first world war
saw an increase in the number of stallions and their use (1920: 176
stallions and 10,084 breedings), the decreasing need for horses by the
military, the mechanisation of agriculture and the economic crisis of
the 1920's resulted in a severe reduction of breeding with a low in
1929 with 2196 bred mares and 74 stallions on 27 stations.
The unification of the states of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and
Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1934 resulted in the transfer of the stallions
and staff of the state stud Neustrelitz, founded in 1825 and now
abandoned, to Redefin. After the National Socialists took over, the
number of stallions and breeding stations was increased to a maximum of
151 stallions on 44 stations. While the increased horse demand up to
1945 was due to the German army needs, after the war the demand for
farming work horses had to be satisfied. In 1949 221 stallions were on
duty on 51 breeding stations, including 39 draft horse stallions.
Since 1951 the Redefin state stud is the centre of state stallion
keeping not only for the Mecklenburg region, but also for Vorpommern
which had been supplied with stallions from the state stud Labes in the
Hinterpommern region (now part of Poland) up to 1945.
With the mechanisation and decrease in private farming due to the
collectivisation at the start of the sixties a noticeable decrease of
horse keeping and breeding started. In those years the marketing of
riding horses at Redefin started, in 1970 a tourist department was
established and the breeding agencies at Rostock and Schwerin were
founded. In 1970 the number of stallions had decreased to 86, while in
1987 already 100 stallions were bred to 3221 broodmares on 16 main and
23 secondary breeding stations.
After the dismantling of the old (socialist) structures in the course
of the politic and economic changes in 1990 the state stud Redefin was
taken over in 1992 by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as part of
the department of Agriculture and Forests at Schwerin.
The present stallion list includes 61 active state stallions, including
one Arabian, 8 English Thoroughbred, 4 Trakehner, 33 Warmblood
stallions, 5 Draft horse, 8 Haflinger and 2 Pony stallions, on duty at
12 main and 18 secondary breeding stations.
Oldenburger
-----------
The Oldenburg is the heaviest German warmblood breed. It was founded
in the 17th century and was developed from the heavy Friesian horse as
strong cart horse. Initially Spanish and Arabian blood was crossed in,
and in the 19th century the breed was stabilised using Thoroughbred,
Cleveland Bay, Anglo-Normandy and Hanoverian stallions. As the demand
for cart horses decreased in the first half of this century, the breed
changed over to a modern, powerful riding and sport horse by adding
more Thoroughbred blood. The Oldenburg is not only the heaviest German
warmblood breed, but with 165 cm also one of the largest. Despite its
size it is a compact horse, with short and heavy boned legs. It has a
large barrel and a very broad back, and from its draft ancestors it has
got the early maturity. It has a reliable, but sometimes daring,
character. The common colours are black, dark bay, chestnut and grey.
Today the Oldenburg has become popular again as a competition driving
horse, which goes back again to the breed's roots. (1)
...
Already 300 years ago Duke Anton Guenther of Oldenburg practised a
method of domestic horse breeding that can even today be called
exemplary - and which led to success. The farmers got mares from the
Duke's studs and the Duke's stallions were available for breeding. The
desired horse type of those days was a driving horse with high knee
action. The flashy trotting Oldenburg can be called the Mercedes of
the time. But times change, carriage horses are in less demand and
heavy riding horses are not wanted any more. Thus, also the Oldenburg
breeders had to change the breed into a lighter type, without
destroying the stability of the rather small stock of broodmares. This
change was successfully performed, without removing the proud
appearance and the energy of the gaits from the now lighter Oldenburg.
Exterior: Refined, noble head, high set neck, long shoulder, high
withers, not too long, strong back and well-muscled croup. Correctly
formed legs, muscular with strong joints.
Colour: Bay, black, rarely grey or chestnut
Size: Ideally 165 cm, +/- 5 cm
Character: Calm, pleasant temper
Usage: Sport and pleasure horse, also for driving.
Much in demand as Combined Training horse (2)
...
Oldenburger: warmblood breed, local in Oldenburg and Lower Saxony.
Very old rural breeding which was early supported by far-seeing
rulers. In the 17th century the rural breed was improved by
Neapolitan, Spanish and Arabian stallions. The heavy warmblood horse
for farming use as well as for stately carriages was until the mid of
the 20th century one of the few breeds in Europe with a very constant
and stable appearance. The Oldenburg type influenced may other breeds,
many out-of-area breeding regions underline its qualities. The type
change to a lighter riding horse started in the 1960's with a large
influence of Thoroughbred stallions, followed by Trakehner,
Anglo-Normandy, Hanoverian and Westphalian blood. The modern Oldenburg
riding horse is well suited for showjumping and Combined Training. The
breeding ,including the keeping of the stallions, is done mainly by
farmers. The size of the Oldenburg lies between 160 and 170 cm, most
common colours are bay and black. (3)
Ostfriese (East Friesian)
-------------------------
The original "old" East Friesian breed is extinct. That was a heavy
warmblood, nearly a draft horse but with warmblood gaits and character:
used as carriage and farming horse.
Later lighter and more noble stallions were used, but not always with
favourable results. About 30 years ago the Arabian stallions "Wind
ox", "Jason ox" and "Haladin ox" were used to transform the breed into
the "Friesian Arab". However, this proved not to be the end of the
experiments. Lately, the East Friesian breed was changed to Hanoverian
blood to get a larger sport horse with enough noblesse and verve. Not
only the horse type shall become "Hanoverian", also the East Friesian
breed registry has joined the Hanoverian registry. Only stallions of
Arabian, Hanoverian or East Prussian breed will be approved.
Exterior: Small head, frequently with Roman nose, strong neck,
deep and wide barrel and straight, well muscled croup.
Well proportioned shoulder, low withers, short and strong legs.
Colour: Mostly chestnuts, some bay and blocks horses.
Friesian Arabs have a large proportion of grey horses.
Size: Friesian Arabs: 155 to 160 cm, other East Friesians 175 cm and more.
Character: Well tempered
Usage: Hanoverian type: good sport horses
Friesian Arabs: used as pleasure horses (2)
...
Ostfriese: located in Germany's East Friesland region.
Origin: The heaviest warmblood breed in Germany, close to draft
horses. During the last century Hanoverian stallions were crossed in.
Since the second world war Arabian blood is included to achieve a
modern riding horse type ("Friesian Arab"), but with few successes.
Today the breeds is included into the Hanoverian breed registry,
putting an end to the breeding of the original type. Appearance: Size
about 160 cm, Good-looking small head with Roman nose, very high set
muscular neck, low rounded barrel, strong short croup and legs.
Colours: Mainly chestnut, but also grey, black and bay. The Friesian
Arabs are similar to the purebred Arab in size and type, but have
stronger bones. Usage: The old-type East Friesian was a heavy and
spirited carriage horse with noble appearance and impressive knee
action. The Friesian Arab was a rather small riding horse with long
strides and excellent jumping ability. After the inclusion into the
Hanoverian breed registry in 1975 the East Friesian broodmares are used
to breed towards the Hanoverian type. (3)
Rheinlaender (Rhenanian Warmblood)
----------------------------------
The Rhineland, neighbouring region to Westphalia, was formerly
Germany's leading draft horse breeding region. After the decline of
the draft horse breeding the region started breeding warmblood horses,
based on Trakehner, Hanoverian and Westphalian bloodlines. The
Rhineland breeding is closely connected to the Westphalian breeding
activities. The state stallions of the Westphalian state stud at
Warendorf had a large influence on the development of the Rhineland
warmblood, which wears a brand of its own, however. (3)
Trakehner (East Prussian)
-------------------------
Without doubt the Trakehner (or East Prussian as it was called in
former times) is the highest valued German breed. Its name stems from
the East Prussian state stud ("Hauptgestuet") Trakehnen, which was
founded in 1732 by King Friedrich Wilhelm I and which was destroyed in
the second world war. The king gave the land for the stud as well as
the foundation stock, partly from the existing Royal Stud and partly
from imported high-ranking Arabian horses. Later English Thoroughbred
horses were crossed in, mostly famous derby winners. At Trakehnen the
four-year old horses were tested thoroughly and only the best horses
were kept for breeding. In the course of its 250 year history the
Trakehner was bred with system and thoughtfulness, and the result today
is a high quality sport and riding horse. With an average height of
158 to 164 cm the Trakehner is a beautiful and noble horse, with
pleasant behaviour, reliable and able to learn. Its outer appearance
reflects the English and Arabian blood. All pure and clear colours are
allowed. Trakehner are today bred all over Germany, also the Polish
Wielkopolska breed is mostly Trakehner blood. Trakehner horses are
often seen as champion showjumpers, most famous is the mare "Halla"
with her rider H.G. Winkler. (1)
...
The warmblood horse bred in East Prussia was never an agricultural
horse like the breed from the North and South of Germany. Although the
East Prussian horse was used for all farm work, the breed was aiming
for a hardy, noble riding horse, needed by the cavalry in large numbers
well until our century. The horse number in East Prussia was larger
than in all other German breeding regions, up to 60,000 broodmares were
counted, a nearly unimaginable number. Unimaginable as well is the
fact that the end of the war in 1945 nearly brought the breed to an
end. Only 800 mares and 40 stallions survived and were scattered all
over Germany. However, soon supporters of this breed organised
themselves and founded the "Verband der Zuechter und Freunde des
Warmblutpferdes Trakehner Abstammung e.V" (Trakehner Breed Society)
seated in Hamburg. The collected all horses of Trakehner descendancy
which had made it to West Germany and re-established the breed. The
society has some studs of their own, like in Rantzau/East Holstein,
Birkhausen near Zweibruecken/Pfalz and Erichsburg near Hunnesrueck.
Also, many private breeders concentrate on the Trakehner.
The registry of the Trakehner society is closed. Only mares can be
registered who have both ancestors already registered and whose
bloodlines can be traced for four generations on both sides. The only
exceptions are English Thoroughbreds and Arabians, who are approved for
breeding by the society.
Exterior: Noble, impressive head with sometimes rather large ears.
Long neck, high withers, long sloping shoulder, long and narrow chest.
Powerful back, well suited for the saddle, long and sloped well-muscled
croup, high starting tail.
Colours: Bay, black, chestnut, grey.
Size: 160 cm to 175 cm
Character: lively, can be difficult and violent if not treated properly
Use: All kinds of sport and pleasure riding, also driving (2)
...
Trakehner: warmblood breed, bred all over Germany, until 1945 local
in East Prussia.
The local horse breeding in East Prussia has a history of more than
1000 years. Its is based on the old rural breed called "Schweiken", a
small horse probably descending from the Tarpan. The Prussian king
Friedrich Wilhelm II founded in 1732 the later central stud
("Hauptgestuet") Trakehnen to breed the stallions for the other state
studs. The founding of a large state breeding program should ensure
the supply of cavalry horses. Until the beginning of the 19th century
mainly oriental stallions were used to breed a light hussar horse,
afterwards the influence of the English Thoroughbred dominated the
breed. The Thoroughbred blood was so dominating in the end that the
Trakehner, although listed as warmblood, was in appearance and
characteristics similar to the Anglo-Arab. Before the second world war
East Prussia was the largest breeding region in Germany with about
40,000 broodmares. After the war only about 1000 horses reached the
West of Germany. As these horses came with the wagon trains of the
refugees, they passed a very hard endurance test. From these 1000
horses, which included the top quality stallions, the new Trakehner
breed in Germany was founded, which today includes about 230 stallions
and 3700 broodmares. The Trakehner has a solid stand in German
breeding as a breed of its own as well as used for refinement of other
breeds. The size of this most noble and elegant German warmblood
ranges from 160 to 165 cm, the colours are dominated by chestnut, bay
and black. The Trakehner breed is nowadays used mostly for dressage. (3)
Der Westfale (The Westphalian)
------------------------------
Like its neighbour state, Hanover, also Westphalia has a jumping horse
on its coat of arms, and in both states horse breeding has a long
standing tradition. In 1826 the state stud ("Landgestuet") at
Warendorf was founded, and in March 1904 in Muenster the Westphalian
Breed Registry opened.
In the beginning the Westphalian was bred based on Oldenburg blood,
also Anglo-Normandy stallions were used. But since 1920 the
Westphalian warmblood breeding is based on Hanoverian blood. The goal
is a character-wise flawless, large riding horse with quiet temper,
usable for shows as well as for pleasure riding. Lately, some
excellent showjumpers of Westphalian breed have been found, an
important marketing factor at the promotion of this breed. Also in the
most difficult section, in combined training or military, Westphalian
horses have shown their high quality. A gathering point for thousands
of horse enthusiasts is the yearly stallion parade at Warendorf.
Well-known Westphalian horses were the showjumper "Rasputin", the
military horse "Sioux" and the dressage horse "Mariano" (not to forget
"Rembrandt" - LM). After Hanover, Westphalia has the largest number of
registered broodmares in Germany.
Exterior: Noble head, long neck, long sloping shoulder, high withers.
Well muscled back, long muscular croup. Strong legs with massive joints.
Size: 165 to 175 cm
Colour: all colours
Usage: Sport and pleasure horse for all purposes (2)
...
Westfale: warmblood breed, local in Westphalia.
In the old horse breeding state of Westphalia already in Roman times
horses were bred. In the course of the centuries wild horses survived
in marshy parts unsuitable for farming, five of these wild herds
existed until the 19th century. The last of these regions today is the
"Merfelder Bruch" near Duelmen, known far across the borders of
Westphalia (featuring the last herd of (semi)-wild horses in Germany.
The annual catching of the young stallions and subsequent auction is a
public attraction - LM).
Many clueless breeding attempts, lasting until the turn of the century,
did not form a unique and stable horse breed, although already in 1826
the state stud at Warendorf was founded and breeding regulations had
been issued to start planful breeding. A breed based on Oldenburg and
Anglo-Normandy blood started in 1900 ended with the first world war, as
those horses were not suited for the Westphalian soil. The draft horse
breed founded at the same time, however, earned world-wide recognition
until the second world war. After the first world war the warmblood
breeding was started again, based on Hanoverian blood with some
Thoroughbred and Trakehner influence, which was very successful.
Second to Lower Saxony, Westphalia is the second important horse
breeding region in Germany with 10,000 broodmares, about 120 state
stallions and many private stallions. The exterior of the Westphalian
is similar to the Hanoverian. (3)
Wuerttemberger
--------------
The history of the Wuerttemberger dates back to the 16th century, when
local mares of different types were crossed with Arab stallions. Later
also Trakehner, Normandy, Oldenburg and Nonius stallions were involved,
creating a useful and easy keeping multi-purpose horse for the
agriculture in the Wuerttemberg region. The breed registry was founded
in 1895, after the breed had stabilised, mainly influenced by the
Anglo-Normandy-stallion "Faust", born 1886. With the help of Trakehner
stallions the breed changed after world war II to a noble, medium sized
(average 163 cm) powerful type. This medium warmblood, suitable for
riding as well as driving, has a good overall appearance, with
impressive head, broad chest and heavy boned legs. Overall, it is a
robust horse, mainly seen as black horse, bay or chestnut. (1)
...
Wuerttemberg is one of the breeding region, which (like Oldenburg and
East Friesland) had to radically change the type of their horses. Once
the Wuerttemberg horse was a near-draft heavy farming horse, as needed
by the local farmers: strong, reliable, well mannered. But what was
good and demanded for centuries suddenly was not needed any more.
Therefore the breed had to change to preserve the regional horse
breeding. Todays Wuerttemberg horse is an elegant riding horse,
comparable with all the other "traditional" riding horse breed, but
still retaining the reliability and good temper of the old type. Today
on the grounds of the more than 400 years old stud at Marbach (the
oldest stud in Germany) an old breed has arisen in new glamour.
Exterior: Noble head, well-set neck, deep chest, high withers. Well
muscled, not too long back and broad, muscular croup. Sloping
shoulder, correct legs, hard hooves.
Colour: Bay, chestnut, black, few greys
Size: 160 to 165 cm
Usage: Multi-purpose sporthorse with good temper (2)
...
Wuerttemberg warmblood breed, located in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg
Since the founding of the former Royal stables at Marbach on the Lauter
in 1573, which is active as state stud since 1736, horse breeding is
documented in Wuerttemberg. However, the breeding activities were
mainly unsuccessful due to the harsh climate, difficult soils and
frequently changing breeding policies of the different rulers. Only at
the end of the 19th century, by mixing in Anglo-Normandy and Trakehner
bloodlines systematically, good breeding results were obtained with a
warmblood farming horse. To change to breed from a farm horse towards
a riding horse in the 60's of our century, mainly Trakehner stallions
were used, of which the state stallion "Julmond" as founding father of
a famous line is still renown. This refinement gave the Wuerttemberg
breed some obvious Trakehner features. The size lies around 165 cm, the
main colours are chestnut and bay, also grey horses are common. (3)
Zweibruecker Warmblut (Zweibruecken Warmblood)
----------------------------------------------
Local breed in the states of Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland.
The earliest sources describing regulated horse breeding in the Duchy
of Zweibruecken come from the 16th century. Around 1755 the Duke's
Stables at Zweibruecken were founded. During the Napoleonic wars the
horses were confiscated by the French, during the Liberation war
against Napoleon by the Prussians and Austrians. The Austrians took
away from Zweibruecken the famous Anglo-Normandy stallion "Nonius" who
then became the founding father of the Nonius breed on Austro-Hungary.
During the 19th century breeding at Zweibruecken stagnated due to lack
of funding, which allowed no successful rebuilding of the breeding
stock. Bavarian subsidies around 1890 and the founding of the central
stud ("Haupt- und Landgestuet") which worked successfully until 1960
then started the re-appearance of the breed. The present state stud at
Zweibruecken, featuring 25 state stallions, is the smallest state stud
in Germany. Together with about 20 private stallions they serve about
1200 broodmares in the state. The breeding society Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar
combines the former breeding societies of Pfalz-Saar and
Rheinland-Nassau. The breed is based on Trakehner, Hanoverian,
Westphalian and some Thoroughbred bloodlines. (3)
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