Bavarian Warmblood
Encyclopedia
The Bavarian Warmblood is a horse breed of southern Germany
that developed from an older Bavarian heavy warmblood
breed called the Rottaler. Since mechanization in the mid-20th century, the Bavarian Regional Horse Breeders' Society has concentrated on producing a riding horse for the Olympic disciplines
and recreational riding based on other European warmblood
bloodlines.
are permitted, though dark, solid colors are preferred. The ideal height is between 158 and 170 cm tall at the withers
(15.2-16.2 hands
).
Bavarian Warmbloods are similar to other German warmblood
s in type, conformation, movement, jumping ability and interior qualities. Desirable type includes an elegant, attractive horse with dry limbs and head and clear sex expression. Conformation reflects the stamp of a correct sport horse
. Correct movement includes three rhythmic gaits
characterized by energy, a long stride, natural self-carriage and elasticity, with some knee action. Selection processes aim for enthusiastic, capable jumpers with "bascule
" (arc over the fence), "scope" (ability to respond to changes in the environment), and "tact" (carefully pulling the legs out of the way). Horses that are difficult, nervous, or aggressive are identified and typically are not allowed to breed.
Breeding stallions and mares are chosen by thorough studbook selection
, which eliminates horses that do not fit the breeding goal from the breeding studbooks. The Bavarian Warmblood is by no means set in type and recognizable the way that breeds from closed studbooks are; instead, they are recognizable by their athletic ability and temperament.
stallions make up a further 42%. Other German warmbloods - Hanoverian
s, Oldenburg
s, Westphalians
, Wuerttemberger
s, Rhinelander
s, Thuringians, and German Warmblood
s, (Zuchtverband fur deutsche Pferde or ZfDP) - make up 24%.
There are a handful of Dutch Warmblood
, Trakehner
and Thoroughbred
stallions as well, though the Bavarian studbook is rather unusual for including a Russian Warmblood and two Budyonny
stallions.
Of the Bavarian-bred stallions, a few had Bavarian sires, though most were sired by a Hanoverian, Westphalian, Oldenburg, or Holsteiner. Several Selle Francais sires also have sons in the Bavarian studbook, and one Bavarian-bred stallion each is by a Trakehner, Thoroughbred, and Anglo-Arabian
.
s. The best Rottalers were calm, substantial horses suitable for plowing, carriage
driving, and non-competitive riding. In 1907 a registry for Rottalers was founded. The riding horse direction began in 1963 and the Rottaler was renamed "Bavarian Warmblood."
Stallions with the old type were replaced by Hanoverians
, Westphalians
, Holsteiners
, Trakehner
s, and Thoroughbred
s. The Rottaler blood was soon diluted and today comprises the mother line of some approved stallions. To save the old type from extinction, a preservation society was formed in 1994.
Today, Bavarian Warmblood pedigrees are made up of blood from other German warmbloods, particularly Holsteiners
, Hanoverians
, Westphalians
, Oldenburgs
, Württemberger
s, Rhinelander
s, and Saxony-Thuringian Warmbloods, plus a number of approved Dutch Warmblood
s, Thoroughbred
s, Trakehner
s, and even Budyonny
stallions.
In recent years, the Bavarian Regional Horse Breeders' Society has begun co-hosting a stallion licensing event with the Horse Breeding Societies of Baden-Wuerttemberg
, Rheinland-Pfalz Saar
, and Saxony-Thueringen. The South-German Stallion Licensing is held in Munich
. They also hold elite foal auctions and free jumping competitions for young horses. Together, all four registries have nearly 500 stallions and over 11,000 mares. There are about 150 Bavarian Warmblood stallions and almost 4,000 broodmares.
competition, including eventing
, show jumping
and dressage
. In the 2006 final standings in international sport, the Bavarian Warmblood was ranked 13th in show jumping, 15th in dressage, and 12th in eventing.
Bavarian Warmbloods are also popular choices in the sport of combined driving
and have been part of several World Cup teams. In the United States, there are several prominent show hunter
s with the Bavarian brand.
(OCD) the primary health concern.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
that developed from an older Bavarian heavy warmblood
Heavy warmblood
The Heavy Warmbloods are a group of horse breeds primarily from continental Europe. The title includes the Ostfriesen and Alt-Oldenburger , Groningen, and similar horses from Silesia, Saxony-Thuringia, and Bavaria...
breed called the Rottaler. Since mechanization in the mid-20th century, the Bavarian Regional Horse Breeders' Society has concentrated on producing a riding horse for the Olympic disciplines
Sport horse
Sport horse, or Sporthorse, is a term used to describe a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term generally refers to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. The precise definition varies...
and recreational riding based on other European warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
bloodlines.
Characteristics
The easiest way to recognize a Bavarian Warmblood is by the brand on the left thigh, which is a crowned shield outside the letter "B". All colorsEquine coat color
Horses exhibit a diverse array of coat colors and distinctive markings. A specialized vocabulary has evolved to describe them.While most horses remain the same color throughout life, a few, over the course of several years, will develop a different coat color from that with which they were born...
are permitted, though dark, solid colors are preferred. The ideal height is between 158 and 170 cm tall at the withers
Withers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
(15.2-16.2 hands
Hand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
).
Bavarian Warmbloods are similar to other German warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
s in type, conformation, movement, jumping ability and interior qualities. Desirable type includes an elegant, attractive horse with dry limbs and head and clear sex expression. Conformation reflects the stamp of a correct sport horse
Sport horse
Sport horse, or Sporthorse, is a term used to describe a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term generally refers to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. The precise definition varies...
. Correct movement includes three rhythmic gaits
Horse gait
Horse gaits are the various ways in which a horse can move, either naturally or as a result of specialized training by humans.-Classification:...
characterized by energy, a long stride, natural self-carriage and elasticity, with some knee action. Selection processes aim for enthusiastic, capable jumpers with "bascule
Bascule (horse)
Bascule is the natural round arc a horse's body takes as it goes over a jump. The horse should rise up through its back, stretching its neck forward and down, when it reaches the peak of his jump. Ideally, the withers are the highest point over the fence. This is often described as the horse...
" (arc over the fence), "scope" (ability to respond to changes in the environment), and "tact" (carefully pulling the legs out of the way). Horses that are difficult, nervous, or aggressive are identified and typically are not allowed to breed.
Breeding stallions and mares are chosen by thorough studbook selection
Studbook selection
Studbook selection is a process used in certain breeds of horses to select breeding stock. It allows a breed registry to direct the evolution of the breed towards the ideal by eliminating unhealthy or undesirable animals from the population. The removal of individuals from a population is called...
, which eliminates horses that do not fit the breeding goal from the breeding studbooks. The Bavarian Warmblood is by no means set in type and recognizable the way that breeds from closed studbooks are; instead, they are recognizable by their athletic ability and temperament.
Bloodlines
Currently, the stallion roster is 45% Bavarian Warmblood stallions. HolsteinerHolstein (horse)
The Holsteiner is a breed of horse originating in the Schleswig-Holstein region of northern Germany. It is thought to be the oldest of warmblood breeds, tracing back to the 13th century...
stallions make up a further 42%. Other German warmbloods - Hanoverian
Hanoverian (horse)
A Hanoverian is a warmblood horse originating in Germany, which is often seen in the Olympic Games and other competitive English riding styles, and have won gold medals in all three equestrian Olympic competitions. It is one of the oldest, most numerous, and most successful of the warmbloods...
s, Oldenburg
Oldenburg (horse)
The Oldenburg is a warmblood horse from the north-western corner of Lower Saxony, what was formerly the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. The breed was built on a mare base of all-purpose farm and carriage horses, today called the Alt-Oldenburger...
s, Westphalians
Westphalian (horse)
The Westphalian, or Westfalen, is a warmblood horse bred in the Westphalia region of western Germany. The Westphalian is closely affiliated with the state-owned stud farm of Warendorf, which it shares with the Rhinelander...
, Wuerttemberger
Württemberger
The Württemberger, Baden-Württemberger or Württemberg is a Warmblood horse breed originating in Germany. They are primarily riding horses, and are selectively bred for dressage and show jumping.-Breed History:...
s, Rhinelander
Rhinelander
Rhinelander can refer to:*A person from Rhineland, Germany*Rhinelander, Wisconsin, a city in the United States*Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, an airport that serves Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA...
s, Thuringians, and German Warmblood
German Warmblood
German Warmblood may refer generally to any of the various warmblood horses of Germany, or more specifically to a warmblood registered with the nation-wide German Horse Breeding Society...
s, (Zuchtverband fur deutsche Pferde or ZfDP) - make up 24%.
There are a handful of Dutch Warmblood
Dutch Warmblood
A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the...
, Trakehner
Trakehner
Trakehner is a light warmblood breed of horse, originally developed at the East Prussian state stud farm in the town of Trakehnen from which the breed takes its name...
and Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
stallions as well, though the Bavarian studbook is rather unusual for including a Russian Warmblood and two Budyonny
Budyonny (horse)
The Budyonny is a breed of horse from Russia. They were developed for use as a military horse following the Russian Revolution and are currently used as an all-purpose competition horse and for driving.-Conformation:...
stallions.
Of the Bavarian-bred stallions, a few had Bavarian sires, though most were sired by a Hanoverian, Westphalian, Oldenburg, or Holsteiner. Several Selle Francais sires also have sons in the Bavarian studbook, and one Bavarian-bred stallion each is by a Trakehner, Thoroughbred, and Anglo-Arabian
Anglo-Arabian
The Anglo-Arabian or Anglo-Arab is a crossbred horse that now also has its own status as a horse breed. It is a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice-versa...
.
History
The predecessor of the Bavarian Warmblood is the Rottaler, an all-purpose horse very similar to other heavy warmbloodHeavy warmblood
The Heavy Warmbloods are a group of horse breeds primarily from continental Europe. The title includes the Ostfriesen and Alt-Oldenburger , Groningen, and similar horses from Silesia, Saxony-Thuringia, and Bavaria...
s. The best Rottalers were calm, substantial horses suitable for plowing, carriage
Carriage
A carriage is a wheeled vehicle for people, usually horse-drawn; litters and sedan chairs are excluded, since they are wheelless vehicles. The carriage is especially designed for private passenger use and for comfort or elegance, though some are also used to transport goods. It may be light,...
driving, and non-competitive riding. In 1907 a registry for Rottalers was founded. The riding horse direction began in 1963 and the Rottaler was renamed "Bavarian Warmblood."
Stallions with the old type were replaced by Hanoverians
Hanoverian (horse)
A Hanoverian is a warmblood horse originating in Germany, which is often seen in the Olympic Games and other competitive English riding styles, and have won gold medals in all three equestrian Olympic competitions. It is one of the oldest, most numerous, and most successful of the warmbloods...
, Westphalians
Westphalian (horse)
The Westphalian, or Westfalen, is a warmblood horse bred in the Westphalia region of western Germany. The Westphalian is closely affiliated with the state-owned stud farm of Warendorf, which it shares with the Rhinelander...
, Holsteiners
Holstein (horse)
The Holsteiner is a breed of horse originating in the Schleswig-Holstein region of northern Germany. It is thought to be the oldest of warmblood breeds, tracing back to the 13th century...
, Trakehner
Trakehner
Trakehner is a light warmblood breed of horse, originally developed at the East Prussian state stud farm in the town of Trakehnen from which the breed takes its name...
s, and Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s. The Rottaler blood was soon diluted and today comprises the mother line of some approved stallions. To save the old type from extinction, a preservation society was formed in 1994.
Today, Bavarian Warmblood pedigrees are made up of blood from other German warmbloods, particularly Holsteiners
Holstein (horse)
The Holsteiner is a breed of horse originating in the Schleswig-Holstein region of northern Germany. It is thought to be the oldest of warmblood breeds, tracing back to the 13th century...
, Hanoverians
Hanoverian (horse)
A Hanoverian is a warmblood horse originating in Germany, which is often seen in the Olympic Games and other competitive English riding styles, and have won gold medals in all three equestrian Olympic competitions. It is one of the oldest, most numerous, and most successful of the warmbloods...
, Westphalians
Westphalian (horse)
The Westphalian, or Westfalen, is a warmblood horse bred in the Westphalia region of western Germany. The Westphalian is closely affiliated with the state-owned stud farm of Warendorf, which it shares with the Rhinelander...
, Oldenburgs
Oldenburg (horse)
The Oldenburg is a warmblood horse from the north-western corner of Lower Saxony, what was formerly the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. The breed was built on a mare base of all-purpose farm and carriage horses, today called the Alt-Oldenburger...
, Württemberger
Württemberger
The Württemberger, Baden-Württemberger or Württemberg is a Warmblood horse breed originating in Germany. They are primarily riding horses, and are selectively bred for dressage and show jumping.-Breed History:...
s, Rhinelander
Rhinelander
Rhinelander can refer to:*A person from Rhineland, Germany*Rhinelander, Wisconsin, a city in the United States*Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, an airport that serves Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA...
s, and Saxony-Thuringian Warmbloods, plus a number of approved Dutch Warmblood
Dutch Warmblood
A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the...
s, Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s, Trakehner
Trakehner
Trakehner is a light warmblood breed of horse, originally developed at the East Prussian state stud farm in the town of Trakehnen from which the breed takes its name...
s, and even Budyonny
Budyonny (horse)
The Budyonny is a breed of horse from Russia. They were developed for use as a military horse following the Russian Revolution and are currently used as an all-purpose competition horse and for driving.-Conformation:...
stallions.
In recent years, the Bavarian Regional Horse Breeders' Society has begun co-hosting a stallion licensing event with the Horse Breeding Societies of Baden-Wuerttemberg
Württemberger
The Württemberger, Baden-Württemberger or Württemberg is a Warmblood horse breed originating in Germany. They are primarily riding horses, and are selectively bred for dressage and show jumping.-Breed History:...
, Rheinland-Pfalz Saar
Zweibrücker
The Zweibrücker is a type of German warmblood horse bred in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Traditionally, the breeding of Zweibrücken was centered around the onetime Principal Stud of Zweibrücken but since 1977 has been under the jurisdiction of the Horse Breeders' Association of...
, and Saxony-Thueringen. The South-German Stallion Licensing is held in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. They also hold elite foal auctions and free jumping competitions for young horses. Together, all four registries have nearly 500 stallions and over 11,000 mares. There are about 150 Bavarian Warmblood stallions and almost 4,000 broodmares.
Uses
The Bavarian Warmblood is seen in international sport horseSport horse
Sport horse, or Sporthorse, is a term used to describe a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term generally refers to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. The precise definition varies...
competition, including eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
, show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
and dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
. In the 2006 final standings in international sport, the Bavarian Warmblood was ranked 13th in show jumping, 15th in dressage, and 12th in eventing.
Bavarian Warmbloods are also popular choices in the sport of combined driving
Combined driving
Combined driving also known as Horse Driving Trials is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. In this discipline the driver sits on a vehicle drawn by a single horse, a pair or a team of four. The sport has three phases: Dressage, Cross-country Marathon and Obstacle Cone Driving and is...
and have been part of several World Cup teams. In the United States, there are several prominent show hunter
Show hunter
The show hunter is a type of show horse that is judged on its movement, manners, and way of going, particularly while jumping fences. The horses are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes...
s with the Bavarian brand.
Medical issues
Thorough health-screening of breeding stallions before they stand stud has resulted in a population largely free of congenital diseases. The size and growth rate of warmbloods in general has made OsteochondrosisOsteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a family of orthopedic diseases of the joint that occur in children and adolescents and in rapidly growing animals, particularly pigs, horses, and dogs. They are characterized by interruption of the blood supply of a bone, in particular to the epiphysis, followed by localized...
(OCD) the primary health concern.
External links
- http://www.tiho-hannover.de/einricht/zucht/eaap/descript/1451.htm
- http://www.equiworld.net/UK/HORSECARE/BREEDS/bavarian/index.htm