Breed of Horses

American Miniature Horse

In Europe and particularly in Germany the American Miniature Horse has been still relatively unknown. It is an elegant and well-proportioned miniature edition of a tall horse having a stick measure up to 86.4 cm. However, due to its conformation and different proportions which are more similar to those of a tall horse it cannot be compared to a Shetland pony or other kind of pony.

Because of its high motivation, intelligence and human-related character the American Miniature Horse is versatile e.g. as riding pony for small children, for carriage driving or therapeutic purposes.

Andalusian Horse

Actually all Iberian horse breeds from Spain - except for ponies and draught horses - are called Andalusian horses originating from the Middle Ages when Andalusian horses were very popular at dynasties all over Europe.

Andalusian horses are brawny, medium-sized with compact conformation and a short and strong neck being very characteristic for this breed. Their tail hair and mane is mostly very long and thick. Andalusian horses are particularly used for dressage and haute école because of their docility and expressive appearance.

Appaloosa Horse

Appaloosa horses have become known by their special spotted color. They originate from America where they derive from feral Spanish horses. Once they were domesticated by the Nez-Percé Indians who bred particularly horses with distinctive spotted fur color.

Today Appaloosa Horses are mainly used for Western or leisure riding purposes because of their calm-minded and balanced character, their intelligence, speed and agility. Their stick measure varies between 148 and 160 cm. Their conformation is mostly square-shaped similar to other US-American Western horses.

Arabian Horse

The Arabian horse is considered to be one of the oldest and noblest horse breeds in the world. Originally the Arabian horse was bred for long distances and living in desolate and hot desert. Thus, they are well-known for being particularly tough and tireless.

The typical characteristic of the Arabian Horse is its dish face with the bulged forehead and the upright borne tail. Due to its beautiful conformation and the intelligent head the Arabian Horse looks very noble and charming. Depending on the breeding area this horses can get a stick measure up to 160 cm. Arabian Horses are particularly popular as endurance and leisure horses but they are talented also for other equestrian sections.

Barb Horse

The noble Barb and Arabian Barb horse from Maghreb is one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. Its blood runs in the North and South American as well as in the most European horse breeds. Andalusian horses, Lusitanos, Frisian horses and even the English thoroughbred wouldn't have developed like that without the Barb horse.

Whether beginner or professional rider everybody is crazy about their smooth gaits, their docility, the good natural collection and the extreme loyalty to their master. Due to their stick measure of 145 to 160 cm they are speedy and agile. The Barb horse represents the ideal partner for leisure and trekking riders.

Black Forest Horse

This draught horse was bred originally for the hard work in the Black Forests because it is able to carry very heavy loads even through rough terrain. Due to its short distinctive head, its strong neck and compact conformation the Black Forest Horse has been still an important partner for forestry.

The most important characteristic feature of the Black Forest Horse is its chestnut or dark chestnut coat with thick flaxen mane and tail. Sometimes there also exist other coat colors. The Black Forest Horse having a stick measure up to 160 cm is very gentle and tough and it is a perfect leisure and driving horse.

Connemara Pony

The Connemara Pony which originates from Ireland is a pure show jumping talent. It is able to keep up easily with tall horses and bear adult person on its back. Shaped by the rough climate of Western Ireland the Connemara Pony is sure-footed, tireless and agile.

Due to its calm-minded and child-friendly character they are an ideal partner for sport and leisure purposes. The appearance of these ponies has been affected by former crossings of the Iberian horse breeds. Thus, the Connemara Pony has an expressive appearance and it is available in all colors.

Criollos

The Argentinian Criollo derives originally from the horses which were once imported from Europe to South America. Due to the fact that they had to brave the difficult conditions in the wilderness they have become incredibly tough. In Argentina the horses have to pass a very acid performance test in order to become licensed for breeding purposes.

Because of their intelligence, agility and tenacity these tireless horses are used for cow working by gauchos. Generally Criollos are compact, strong and medium-sized horses. Due to its friendly character the Criollo enjoys great popularity in German leisure and western riding sector.

Curly Horse

About hundreds of years ago the Curly Horse has originated naturally from the wild horses in North America. It has kept its toughness and nativeness to this day. The Curly Horse is very humane, calm, docile and powerful.

Due to its curly winter coat, the upwards rolling eyelashes and the curly mane the Curly Horse is unique also because of its hypoallergenicity i.e. people with allergy to animal hair can handle this horse without getting allergic.

Dartmoor Pony

This clever small pony being an old English breed was first mentioned in writing in 1012. It originates from the desolate moors in the South West of England. The Dartmoor Pony ideally fits for children because it is very friendly, well-tempered and diligent. With the objective to breed ponies which are suitable for equitation purposes the Dartmoor Pony fits perfectly for youth and driving sports.

With a stick measure of about 130 cm the Dartmoor Pony is relatively small. But due to its origin it is very tough and sure-footed.

English Thoroughbred

The English Thoroughbred has been one of the noblest horse breeds. During the last decades it has influenced significantly many other horse breeds. Thoroughbreds are the fastest racing horses in the world mainly used for horse racing. The very special characteristic of the thoroughbred has been its purebreed since 1793 i.e. no crossing with external blood. Furthermore, only those thoroughbred can be registered into the General Stud Book who was sired via natural fertilization.

Actually thoroughbreds are highly sensitive and intelligent. They are also often deemed to be nervous and jumpy which might result from the racetrack climate. However, once they got used to their surrounding they are very good multifunctional riding horses.

Exmoor Pony

The Exmoor Pony is regarded to be England's oldest pony breed. A special feature of this small pony with a maximum stick measure of 125 cm is its limited flight instinct because in its homeland, the moorlands around Devon, hasty flight would have had serious consequences for the pony. Thus, the Exmoor Pony is well-known for being very calm and even-tempered.

This pony breed survived in the moorlands only because of its intelligence and agility. There have been still some wild pony herds in England but the live stock is under permanent control. Exmoor Ponies are fantastic partners for leisure and carriage driving sports.

Fjord Horse

Fjord Horses or Norwegian Horses originate from the Norwegian West Coast. They are one of the oldest European horse breeds. Fjord Horses were bred first by the Vikings.

Especially peculiar characteristic of this allround pony is its bicolored mane with a black stripe. It has got almost exclusively dun coloration with different shades. Another typical characteristic is its compact conformation with a short strong neck. Fjord Horses are typical ponies because they are very easy to keep, independent but docile horses being willing to work.

Friesian Horse

This impressive black horse originates from the Friesian coast and it was a popular war horse already in the Middle Ages. Since the Friesian Horse - also called Baroque horse - usually carries its head quite high it seems to be very big though its stick measure mostly does not exceed 165 cm.

A typical characteristic of the Friesian Horse is its very long mane, tail and feathers. Today it is mostly used as carriage or leisure horse. Due to former crossing with Iberian horses it is are also often used for show purposes because of its special talent for haute école and difficult dressage movements.

German Riding Pony

The German Riding Pony is very popular particularly with children. It looks similar to Warmblood horses and demonstrates much expression in show jumping and dressage, thus it is often used for competitions. Due to the regulations for pony sport its stick measure may not exceed 148 cm. Ponies exceeding this stick measure are called small horse.

Originally the German Riding Pony was bred in England from a crossing of English pony breeds, Arabians and thoroughbreds. The German Riding Pony is deemed to be sociable and child-friendly, with intelligent eyes and a strong character.

German Warmblood Horse

The term German Warmblood Horse or German Riding Horse is the generic term for all German Warmblood horse breeds. Though the German Warmblood Horse has been crossed among each other, the Warmblood horse breed has been organized still regionally. In general the German Warmblood Horse has been bred for traditional sports and leisure purposes.

The Warmblood horse breed has been ennobled regularly with thoroughbred genes aiming for a healthy horse with expressive and elastic movements and good character and rideability suitable for all kind of riding purposes. Thus, this horse is well-known for being athletic, noble and easy to ride.

Haflinger

This chestnut originating from South Tyrol has got mass appeal all over the world which results from the well-tempered character of this small horse and its suitability for children and beginners. Since the Haflinger had to work particularly in the rough Alps in former times it is very sure-footed and tough.

Usually the Haflinger has a compact and strong conformation but there exist also more elegant types. The Haflinger is always chestnut in color with different shades. Its mane and tail is white or flaxen. Due to different types of Haflinger it can be used in all equestrian sections.

Hanoverian Breed

Because of its high sporty success the Hanoverian horse has been one of the most popular German Warmblood breeds. Originally it was bred in the 15th century for agricultural purposes. By ennobling with thoroughbred and Trakehner horse it has become a modern sports horse suitable for all equestrian sections. Within the European Warmblood breed the Hanoverian breed has been superior in numbers.

Because of its diversity there are different types of versatile Warmblood horses. In general the Hanoverian horse is regarded to be intelligent, motivated and even-tempered but also very expressive and very lively.

Heavy Warmblood Horse (East Frisian/Old Oldenburger Horse)

The Old Oldenburger Horse is Germany's heaviest warmblood breed. It is considered as being particularly irenic with strong nerves. The breeders of this horse have attached great importance to free and good movements, thus, the Old Oldenburger Horse is well-known as an excellent carriage driving horse. It is bred mostly with dark coat color and with a stick measure of about 156 cm. Over the past years the Old Oldenburger Horse has become very popular as reliable leisure and riding horse.

Highland Ponies

With a stick measure of 132 cm to 148 cm the Highland Pony is the biggest English Baroque ponies. It is very family and suitable for therapeutic riding and any equestrian sports sector. The Highland Pony captivates with intelligence, a friendly and human-related character and motivation.

Holsteiner

The typical Holsteiner is a big-framed warmblood horse with extensive gaits and good collection. Because of its large success in show jumping the Holsteiner has become particularly popular as show jumping horse but it is also successfully represented in dressage, eventing and driving sports.

Due to its wide open spaces the breeding area Schleswig-Holstein offers enough space for horse rearing. The Holsteiner is deemed to have an easy and well-tempered character with strong nerves. It is bred in all colors except of paint.

Icelandic Horse

This tough horse originating from Iceland has become very popular particularly because of its two additional gaits tölt and pace. The Icelandic horse is bred only with horses from Iceland without any addition of outside bloodstock since no horses have been allowed to be imported to Iceland for many centuries. Furthermore, Icelandic horses bred abroad have to show closed pedigrees.

The Icelandic horse is mostly between 130 and 145 cm high. But due to its strong conformation it can also carry adult persons. Characteristic feature of the Icelandic horse is its thick and tousled tail and mane, its short neck and its square conformation. The Icelandic horse is friendly and intelligent and very weather-resistant due to its thick coat. Today the Icelandic horse breeding increasingly aims to breed also an athletic horse type with high rideability.

Kladruber

The galakarosier of Kladruby stud which is bred strictly grey or black has been declared a world heritage site. Its typical characteristic with high knee action, elevation and noble character has turned this large, imposing and purely preserved horse into a charming dancer with esprit and grace.
The Oldkladruby horse is the oldest orderly bred cultural horse breed in Middle Europe. Today it proves its talent in national and international sport. Fast and spectacular pair and four in hand class horses of this breed convince driver as well as the audience on all show grounds in the world. Also "baroque riders" interested in traditional riding are crazy about this elegant horse.

Lipizzaner

The Lippizaner has become very famous by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. From 17th century the breeding of Lippizaner has been promoted specifically at the Austrian imperial court, though the original breed has already started 100 years before in Slovenia. There are only 6,000 horses worldwide used not only for haute école but also for driving and leisure purposes.

The Lippizaner with its compact and athletic conformation is deemed to be particularly intelligent, friendly and well-tempered. Lippizaner are known mostly as grey horses born with dark color becoming snowy white in the age of 5 to 10 years. Sometimes there also exist bay and black horse.

Lusitano

Because of its compact and muscular conformation the Lusitano is perfectly suitable for traditional baroque dressage. Lusitanos are classified also as Iberian horse breed because they originate from Portugal and their breeding history is similar to those of the Andalusian horses.

The Lusitano is well-known for its courage, reliability and strong nerves. Due to its intelligence and willingness to learn it fits perfectly for movements of haute école and extravagant show acts. In its homeland the Lusitano is also used for bullfighting.

Marwaris

Marwaris are the famous horses from India with their typical scimitar shaped ears. Marwari horses are said to derive from oriental horse breeds such as Arabians or Achal-Teke horses. They are only little muscled and look very brawny. However, Marwari horses have been characterized by tremendous toughness and stamina. They are sure-footed and they hardly develop leg or hoof diseases. The special gait of these horses is called Revaal which is a kind of amble.

Formerly the Indians used the Marwari horses on the battlefield. They have been characterized by courage and allegiance. Due to very strict export regulations Marwari horses can hardly be found outside India.

Mini Pony

The Mini Pony or Mini Shetland Pony differs from the Shetland Pony by its size. Whereas Shetland Ponies can be up to 106 cm high Mini Ponies have a stick measure of maximum 87 cm.

This small elegant pony is mostly popular with children but also used as driving or show pony. Mini Ponies are bred in all possible coat colors. They have short legs and thick frizzy tail and mane.

New Forest Pony

New Forest Ponies have lived originally in the forested areas of South England. Since it is quite easy to get to their haunt, their breed was crossed with many other breeds, sometimes unintentionally with escaped horses. Thus, New Forest Ponies look more similar to horses than ponies.

All over Europe this calm and modest pony has been popular as versatile partner for sport and leisure purposes. It can be used for carriage driving as well as child-friendly family horse because it can also carry shorter adult persons.

Noble Haflinger

The Noble Haflinger is a crossing of Haflinger horse and Purebred Arabian. The breeders were aiming to ennoble the Haflinger horse without losing its typical lovely characteristics. Thus, the Noble Haflinger has got still its typical light chestnut coloring and the friendly and pleasant character. However, the Noble Haflinger is more athletic and it has got better gaits.
Due to their Arabian blood influence of 2%-25% the Noble Haflinger has become similar to the type of the German Riding Pony. But blood crossing with Arabian horses also caused more nervous and lively character.
Photo: Interessengemeinschaft Edelbluthaflinger

Pack animal

With its mules and Haflinger the mountain infantry 23 in Bad Reichenhall is the only horse-keeping army unit. They own Germany's biggest mule population and also the biggest forge. This company has got the job to support the mountain infantry battalion with difficult terrains, bad weather or tactical requirements when other means of transport cannot be used anymore.

With the pack animal this unit owns the army's most ecological weapons system. Apart from these military jobs between Watzmann and Karwendel the company also serves for economical tasks such as service for national forests, Alpine National Park and supply for the huts at Zwiesel.

Paint Horse

The Paint Horses with its colorful coat pattern has been based originally on the American Quarter Horse which was bred according to its coat color. In the 60s it has become a separate horse breed. Particularly Western rider appreciate the Paint Horse for cow working, show acts and leisure riding.

Paint Horses are bred with maximum stick measure of 158 cm in order to keep their agility. They have a friendly character and strong nerves, they are easy to ride and they have cow sense which is very important for Western rider. 

Paso Fino

The Paso Fino horse has been appreciated for its 500 year old history. Though the Paso Fino horse has been bred in Latin America in times of conquistadors, this breed has been almost unknown in the United States until the 40s of this century.

Another important characteristic of the Paso Fino horse is its natural evenly spaced four beat lateral ambling gait which it demonstrates not only in the show arena or show ground but also on trekking, cross country, endurance ride, different Western riding disciplines, equestrian games and leisure riding.

Percheron Horse

The Percheron horse is a draught horse originating from France with a stick measure up to 175 cm and about 900 kg body weight. It is bred mainly grey, sometimes also black. Due to crossbreed with the Arabian and the Barb horse the friendly and gentle draught horse looks very noble and can be quite spirited, thus it is even able to perform dressage movements. But it is mainly used as driving or work horse in farming. Due to its strong muscles and conformation it is particularly suitable for dragging heavy loads e.g. tree trunks.

Quarter Horse

The Quarter Horse owes its name to its famous characteristic feature to run a quarter mile faster than any other horse breed. The Quarter Horse derives from the escaped Spanish horses on the American continent. In the 19th century it was bred from farmers to its today's exterior and characteristics.

Its agility, intelligent nature and calm character has made it an ideal partner for all Western tasks. Despite its limited height (max. 160 cm stick measure) it is able to carry loads for longer distances, thus, it is also a perfect leisure horse.

Rhenish Draught Horse

Today this harmonic horse can only be found sometimes in agriculture and forestry or for brewery show purposes. Many leisure riders like this draught horse for riding or driving because of its well-tempered character and power.

In 1930 about 50% of the horses in Germany were part of the Rhenish Draught Horse breed. For many years the North-Rhine Westphalian State Stud of Warendorf has bred these horses to keep their breed.

Shetland Pony

In the mid-century the small intelligent Shetland Pony has become one of the most popular pony breed. Due to its limited height of 90 to 106 cm it was mainly bred for coal mining because it was very suitable for low galleries. Today it has become well-known as a perfect partner for children or for driving purposes. Compared to its size the Shetland Pony is the strongest horse worldwide because it can easily carry shorter adult persons and pull multiple of its own weight.

Since it originates from the rough climate of the Shetland Island in the North of Great Britain it is very tough and gets a very thick and water-resistant winter coat. Due to this coat and the thick mane it looks very frizzy which is very popular with children.

Shire Horse

Its appearance is truly imposing and its weight can be up to 1,200 kg. If you watch this horse under saddle you will believe that the ancestors of this breed were bred for carrying the heavy armored knights. The Shire Horse is considered to be the tallest horse breed in the world since some of them can get a height up to 2 meters.

The Shire Horse is extremely docile and can also be trained for dressage movements provided adequate training. It can learn figures and lateral movements of the traditional riding as well as circus acts very easy.

Swiss Freiberger

The Freiberger horse has been the only horse breed originating from Switzerland. By crossing the native Bernese Jura horse with the English thoroughbred type, the Anglo-Norman, Ardennais and Arabian Horse the breed of this versatile horse resembles rather to a heavy warmblood than to the original light draught horse. Today it is a popular family horse being also suitable for Western riding because of its high intelligence.

Being very sure-footed this horse is very popular with the Swiss Army which often uses it for pack animal of the Swiss high mountain troop. The Freiberger horse is often used also as carriage driving horse.

Tennessee Walking Horse

The Tennessee Walking Horse originating from U.S.A. has got a special gait called "Walk" which is a four-beat reaching canter speed. By blood-crossing with thoroughbreds and other riding horses in former times the Tennessee Walking Horse has become very comfortable to ride. Since this horses carries its head and tail proudly quite high it is also a popular show horse.

Due to its sweet-tempered, intelligent and sensitive character the Tennessee Walker is a lifelong friend. In its homeland it has been one of the most popular horse breed at all. There you can also watch special competitions exclusively for Tennessee Walking Horses.

Trakehner

The Trakehner is one of the noblest German Warmblood breeds and it is considered to be particularly purebred because only thoroughbreds and Arabians have been approved for ennobling. The Trakehner is highly successful mainly in dressage and eventing.

This horse has become a legend in the Second World War when having saved many refugees from danger zone. Unfortunately, high losses at that time caused heavy reduction of the Trakehner population which, however, was improved soon by selective breeding. Because of its intelligent but also very lively character the Trakehner has been regarded sometimes as headstrong competition horse. However, experienced riders appreciate its tremendous courage, loyalty and impressive appearance.

Trotter

Trotters have been bred particulary for trotting race. Due to blood-crossing with walking horses trotters often know other gaits e.g. tölt and pace. Breeding of trotters has attached great importance to breed fast horses and high achiever with strong nerves.
Due to these characteristic features trotters are not only used for racing but also for walking competitions and endurance ride. Nevertheless trotters which competed in racings are often difficult to use for riding purposes afterwards which might be due to the fact that the trotter usually receives its instructions from somebody sitting in the sulky behind. Thus, the trotter is not used to get instructions from somebody sitting on its back. Furthermore, racing trotters are not allowed to canter.

Welsh-Ponies

Welsh Ponies are very popular worldwide. There are 4 different types divided into A, B, C and D section. They differ mainly by size. A characteristic feature of the A and B Welsh Ponies is its elegant conformation and impulsive movements whereas C and D Welsh Ponies are somewhat sturdy.

All Welsh Ponies are well-known as perfect riding and driving ponies with very good show jumping talent. Due to their strong nerves and sweet-tempered character they fit perfectly for children and beginners but also for ambitious riders. Welsh Ponies are bred in all colors except for pintos.