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The Warmbloods

© Patricia Celley

Inevitably, at social gatherings with new acquaintances, I will be asked, "What type of horse do you have?" A simple question, but when I answer, "Hanoverian," it is usually received with a look of confusion. Trying to explain that the Hanoverian is one of the Warmblood breeds usually doesn't clear up the confusion. I have found the easiest way to explain is to say the Hanoverian is a German breed.

But just what is a Warmblood anyway? And how many different types are there?

As the name suggests, the Warmbloods are a combination of hot and cold blooded breeds. No, there are no reptilian (literally "cold blooded") species of horses. These terms have been developed to define specific breed characteristics. Cold blooded horses are in general, level headed, mild mannered, big bodied, sure footed animals. Breeds such as the Quarter horse and the draft breeds are considered cold blooded. Hot blooded breeds include the Arabian and Thoroughbred breeds. They are lean of body with slender legs and flighty temperaments. By combining these very different types of horses, breeders have developed exceptionally strong yet swift and elegant horses that have excelled in many areas, especially in Olympic Eventing which consists of dressage, stadium jumping, cross country jumping, and endurance tests. Within the Warmblood group, there are seven breeds that are most common. They are the Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Oldenburg, Selle Francais, Swedish Warmblood, Trakehner, and Dutch Warmblood. Each one has a unique history and characteristics.

All of the Warmbloods were developed in Europe. Four of the breeds were and still are maintained in Germany. They are the Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Oldenburg, and Trakehner.

The Hanoverian breed registry began in 1735 when George II, Elector of Hanover, established the State Stud of Lower Saxony at Celle. The founding Stallions at Celle included 14 black Holsteiners bred to native draft mares. This cross produced excellent carriage horses. Over the years, they incorporated Thoroughbred blood to make the breed more suitable for cavalry use. In 1803 the Napoleonic Wars reduced the number of registered stallions from 100 to 30. To build the breed back up more Thoroughbred stallions were introduced until the breed became too light at which time they had to bring in more draft type horses to keep the breed suitable as a coach horse. With the advent of the automobile, the breed needed to be lightened again for use in sporting competitions. Thoroughbred, Arabian and Trakehner bloodlines were cross bred into the breed. The American Hanoverian Society's goal is "To produce a noble horse with a cooperative temperament, elastic gaits, correct conformation, and outstanding ability in international equestrian disciplines." Hanoverians of note: Gigolo, team gold and individual silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and individual and team gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Gifted, highest placed American in dressage at the World Equestrian Games in 1990, team bronze in 1992 at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. For Pleasure, Olympic gold medal grand prix show jumper in 1996 and 2000.

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