The Warlander horse is a rare breed that is known for its beauty and athleticism.
If you’re thinking of adding one of these horses to your stable, here’s everything you need to know about the Warlander horse.
Warlander Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Warlander:
| Height (size) | 14.3 – 16.2 hands high |
| Colors | Bay, black, gray, but buckskin and palomino are also seen |
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| Common Uses | Dressage, driving, classical riding, modern equitation, western disciplines |
Warlander Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The Warlander was created by crossing Friesians with purebred Iberian horses, mostly Andalusians, although today Lusitano and Menorquín blood are also acceptable.
Although the Warlander was not officially recognized as a breed until 2010, the interbreeding of Iberian and Friesian horses dates back at least to the 16th century and probably much earlier.
These two Baroque breeds are quite different, with Andalusian being light, and supple and the Friesian being a rather heavy-set horse with dramatic motion and an ideal conformation for carriage driving.
When these two breeds are crossed, the offspring acquire the finest qualities of each and regularly pass these traits on to the following generation.
After starting a breeding program, Kaye was contacted by breeders from all over the world who had successfully bred horses with Friesian and Iberian bloodlines.
Soon after, a studbook was formed, and in 2010, the Warlander was recognized as a distinct breed.
Despite the Warlander’s limited population distributed throughout the globe, it has typically maintained a relatively constant quality owing to the tight requirements of both the Warlander stud book and the foundation breed studbooks.
The fundamental requirement for a Warlander horse is that it must not have more than 75% (or three-quarters), nor less than 25% (or one-fourth), of either of the two parent breeds, nor any other genetic influence from any third breed.
As long as these fundamental requirements are met Warlander horses may be crossed with other registered Warlanders, or with Friesian and Iberian horses.
Karen Maree Kaye of the Classical Sporthorse Stud in Australia invented the term “Warlander” in 1990, naming the breed after the stud’s veterinarian, Dr Warwick Vale.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
n/a
Temperament/Personality
Intelligent, docile
Physical Characteristics
The head features a straight or a slightly convex profile with large eyes and curved ears.
The neck is arched and muscled.
The withers are rounded, and the shoulders are sloped.
The back is straight and strong, and the croup is rounded.
The legs are clean and flexible with broad joints.
They have natural collection, impulsion, and elegance in their movement.
Colors
Bay, black, gray, but buckskin and palomino are also seen
Height (size)
14.3 – 16.2 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
1,000 – 1,200 lbs (450 – 545 kg)
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
Dressage, driving, classical riding, modern equitation, western disciplines
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
n/a
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Australia
Ancestors
Andalusian/Lusitano/Menorquín crossed with Friesian