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Regional Warmbloods of Germany |
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Each region developed its local stock suitable to the variety of daily tasks that the horse would be required to perform. Those tasks might include plowing of fields, hauling produce to market, or shepherding in the hills. The German regional breeds, all based on local stock, include:
The nationally recognized breed of Germany is the Trakehner. |
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The Rhineland is known as a heavy draft, and it has been used in the creation of various German warmbloods. The Westphalian, also of draft origins, has been outcrossed with other warmbloods to create a modern warmblooded Westphalian. Today, both the Rhineland and Westphalian are regcognized in the world of equestrian sports, while their heavier draught versions still draw the brewery wagons through the German towns. Some of these heavy horses may be found farming in the hills where modern machinery is not economical to use. The Bavarian is a local regional draft breed and is used for drawing the heavy brewery wagons on deliveries to local taverns.
While the drafters were used for bulling brewery wagons and working the fields, the warmblooded horses were used for carriage and riding. Most of the warmbloods were of the heavier, carriage and cavalry type, as they were often required to pull artillery in the fields, yet be light enough to ride into battle. I have gathered a great deal of information on several of the German breeds, but information on some breeds still evades me. I have attempted to combine some of the lesser known breeds here in order to bring recognition to those long-standing companions of the German countryfolk.
This type was bred at the Berberbeck Stud near Kassel from the eighteenth century until 1930 when the stud closed. Arabs and Thoroughbreds were mated with local mares to produce a good quality cavalry horse which was also capable of light draught work. The Berberbeck is still bred today although in reduced numbers, and it resembles a heavier version of the Thoroughbred. Standing about 16 hands high, with predominant colors of chestnut and bay, it is a useful, weight-carrying riding horse of good temperament. (Enc. Horse 1983)
The Berberbeck shows up in few of my references, so it is doubtful that many individuals exist today. This was one of the prized cavalry horses that was used to fend off Napoleon's advancing troops. The Berberbeck was once a well-known breed and was sought out for outcrossing and for cavalry mounts. It is sad to see that several modern horse breed references fail to mention this great breed ~ I hope that there are still avid breeders in the heart of Germany who are attempting to keep this breed alive and well into the 21st century.
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© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
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