The Senner, sometimes known as the Senne, is a severely endangered German riding horse breed.
They are known for their strength and agility, and they make excellent riding horses.
If you’re interested in learning more about these fascinating animals, read on!
Senner Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Senner:
| Height (size) | 15.2 – 16.2 hands high |
| Colors | Most commonly bay and gray, but black and chestnut are also seen. Some have primitive markings like a dorsal stripe, and zebra-striping on the legs. |
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Common Uses | General riding, conservation grazing |
Senner Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
History of the Breed
The exact origin of the breed is unknown since a large number of documents pertaining to the breed’s history were lost in a fire in 1945.
However, this breed has been recorded at least as far back as 1160, which leads many to believe that it is Germany’s oldest saddle-horse breed.
Records of breeding were kept from the beginning of the 18th century, and a stud-book was established in 1713.
It is named after the Senne, which is an area of dunes and moorland in Nordrhein-Westfalen in western Germany, and the Senne moorlands shaped the horses into what they are today with their distinct characteristics.
The horses lived on the moorland of the Senne as well as in the neighboring Teutoburg Forest.
The Principality of Lippe included the Senne, where these horses were bred specifically to serve as mounts for the Lippe family, who ruled the region.
Until 1680, the breeding center was in Detmold, but then it was relocated to the hunting castle of Lopshorn.
The number of breeding mares was typically around forty, and the overall population was never particularly big.
Arabian blood was introduced starting in the late 17th century all the way through the end of the 19th century, and Thoroughbred blood at the end of the 18th century.
After the end of the First World War, there was an infusion of Andalusian blood into the population.
When a fire completely destroyed the castle of Lopshorn in 1945, the remaining Senner horses were split and went to a number of different owners in 1946.
Senner Horse in Modern Times
In 1999 some were brought to the Moosheide nature reserve to help with conservation grazing.
In 2007 the FAO deemed the conservation status of the Senner as ‘critically endangered’.
In 2015 there were a total of 25 Senner horses left – 6 stallions and 19 mares.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“Senne”
Temperament/Personality
Good natured
Physical Characteristics
Head is often of Arabian type, with a straight or dished profile.
They are hardy and surefooted.
Colors
Most commonly bay and gray, but black and chestnut are also seen.
Some have primitive markings like a dorsal stripe, and zebra-striping on the legs.
Height (size)
15.2 – 16.2 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
n/a
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
General riding, conservation grazing
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
Feral horses
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Germany
Ancestors
Early ancestors are unknown, later: Arabian, Thoroughbred, Andalusian