Competition

 

 The Most Common German Horse Breeds

Germany has some of the best competition horses in the world. Most of the horses were used for agricultural uses and to pull carriges. In the mid 20th century Thoroughbred horses were bred with the German horses to improve their stamina.  Here are some of the more commonly known horse breeds.

                   Holstenier                  

  This German warmblooded horse, originated in the Schleswig-Holstein region of nothern Germany. It is the oldest of the warmblood breeds, tracing back to the 13th century. The Schleswig-Holstiens have been breeding horses since 1225, and were famous for their war horses. in the 16th to18th centuries they became a extremly popular coach horse. Holsteiners are light enough to be a high stepping carrage horse but  strong enough to do agricultural work.in the 1960's the breed was refined once again to make the horse bred more athletic. They are between 16 and 17 hands high (meaning they are 5 to 5 1/2 feet at the shoulder) making them a larger breed.  Holsteniers can weigh between 1,100 to 1,400 pounds, but they are still graceful movers. They come in all normal horse colors, but the most common are bay with black above the knees or brown. Holstenier horses are some of the best dressage and show jumping horses in the world. Holsteniers can be priced upwards from $25,000, depending on how well trained they are.

                          Oldenburg                   

       This is Germany's heaviest Warmblood, weighing up to 2,000 pounds. They originate from Lower Saxony, Germany, in the 16th century.  Count Johan von Oldenburg bred Friesian mares with  and Andalusian stallions to produce large war horses.In the 17th century the Oldenburg became a well known Coach horse, because of its height, elegance and power. Today Oldenburgs excell at Dressage and Show Jumping.   Oldenburgs are a larger breed between 16 & 17 hands high ( 5 to 5 1/2 feet tall at the shoulder), the same as the  Holstenier horse. Oldenburgs are relitivly intelligent, bold, easily trainable, good tempered animals. Black, Brown and Bay are the most common colors in this breed.

                         Hanoverian                            

              The Hanoverian is a war horse that dates back to the middle ages. In 1735 George II, the king of England and Elecotor of Hanover, began breeding horses in Germany to be used in in agriculture and to pull coaches. Holsteins, Thorougbreds and Andalusians were bred togather  to form what is now known as the Hanoverian horse. By the end of the 18th century the Hanoverian became a high class caoch horse. in the 1800's the Hanoverian became one of the most popular army horses in Europe. After World War 2, the Hanoverian became less of a Coach and farm horse and more of a sport horse. Today Hanoverians are elegant, strong and robust. They are bred to be willing and trainable. They come in colors such as chestnut, bay, brown black and gray. If a Hanoverian has too much white on him or is buckskin,palomino or cremello it is prohibited from being registered. These horses can be between 15- 17 hands high ( 5- 5 1/2 feet tall at the shoulder). Hanoverians are athletic and are good Show Jumpers, and Dressage horses.