German Warmbloods are a type of horse that is known for its versatile athleticism and trainability.
They are used in a variety of disciplines, from dressage to show jumping, and make excellent mounts for both amateur and professional riders.
If you’re interested in learning more about German Warmbloods, or considering purchasing one yourself, read on for everything you need to know.
German Warmblood Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the German Warmblood:
| Height (size) | 16.0 – 17.0 hands high |
| Colors | Usually black, brown or bay, but can also be grey |
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Common Uses | They excel as sport horses in dressage, show jumping, eventing, and driving |
German Warmblood Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
A warmblood horse that is registered with the German Horse Breeding Society is considered to be a German Warmblood.
However, the term ‘German Warmblood’ may also be used more generically to refer to any of the many warmblood type horses that are native to Germany.
Individual German warmblood types of horses fall under the general term German Warmblood, which encompasses various regional variants on a single standard like: Oldenburg, Holsteiner, Hanoveranian, Westphalian, Württemberger, Rhinelander, Westphalian, Zweibrücker, Brandenburger, Mecklenburger, and Bavarian Warmblood, Ostfriesen and Alt-Oldenburger, Alt-Württemberger, and Rottaler.
Warmblood horses bred in Germany are always given the name of the region in which they were born.
This means if, for example, a Hanoverian horse is brought to Westphalia and bred there, its offspring will be known as a Westphalian horse.
Individual German warmblood types are not recognized as “breeds” since they have an open stud book, are still evolving, and there is no single breed standard for them.
In order to improve their performance abilities or personality traits, they are still often crossbred with one another, other warmblood types, and other breeds like the Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Trakehner.
However, even though it is a warmblood horse from Germany, the Trakehner is considered a separate breed since it has a closed stud book, like for example the Arabian or the Andalusian.
German Warmblood history
German Warmblood horses were originally developed for use in agriculture, military, and transportation; in addition to being ridden, these horses were put to work pulling plows, carriages, and cannons.
Once the combustion engine was developed, the physical power of horses was no longer needed.
As time went on, horse breeders began to place a greater emphasis on developing horses that were visually appealing and had pleasant temperament.
After the conclusion of World War II, when automation rendered agricultural horses obsolete and leisure riding became more popular throughout the western world, the population of warmbloods has increased.
The heavy warmbloods are ancestors of modern warmbloods.
These horses are preserved by special organizations, and are used today mostly as family horses and in combined driving.
German Warmblood registry and branding
Before they may be used for breeding, horses typically between the ages of three and five must pass a series of physical and temperament tests.
Every horse is registered with a regional breed registration, and it cannot be registered with more than one registry.
There is at least one warmblood breeding association in every region of Germany: Lower Saxony – Oldenburg and Hanoverian types Schleswig-Holstein – Holsteiner, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Mecklenburger. North Rhine-Westphalia – Westphalian and Rhinelander.
Branding allows horse owners to identify their German Warmblood as a certain type.
Many various brands have been used for the Hanoverian throughout the years, but the H brand has always been the most popular.
The ‘H’ brand consists of two horse heads and necks joined together in the center to create the letter ‘H’.
The Oldenburg brand is a capital letter ‘O’ with a crown on top. The breeders use the crown to allude to the Oldenburg’s royal heritage.
The Holsteiner brand is a letter ‘H’ inside a shield with a line above it.
The Bavarian Warmblood has a letter ‘B’ inside a shield with a line and a cross above it.
The Rhinelander has a pair of deer antlers as a brand.
The Westphalian has a letter ‘W’ inside a shield with a line and a cross above it.
The Trakehner brand can be traced back to a stud farm in Trakehnen in East Prussia, established in 1732 by king Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia.
The Trakehner brand is a pair of moose antlers.
Branding with one moose antler indicates the horse was born in Trakehnen, whereas branding with both antlers indicates the horse was born elsewhere.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“ZfDP”
Temperament/Personality
Good-tempered and intelligent
Physical Characteristics
Powerful, well-put together horse with strong quarters, and good depth of girth
Colors
Usually black, brown or bay, but can also be grey
Height (size)
16.0 – 17.0 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
Average 1,400 lbs (635 kg)
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
They excel as sport horses in dressage, show jumping, eventing, and driving
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
Very athletic sport horse
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Germany
Ancestors
Friesian, Spanish horses, Barb, Neapolitan horse, Thoroughbred