| utch Warmblood is a breed of horse developed as a | | | | allowed to be branded as Dutch Warmblood horses. |
| competitive and recreational horse for the major | | | | However, branding of horses is illegal according to |
| international equestrian disciplines of dressage, jumping, | | | | Dutch law, so today only the oldest Dutch |
| three-day eventing and driving for which it has gained | | | | Warmbloods still bear the lion-rampant brand on the |
| world-wide recognition. It is also known as the Royal | | | | left hip. Today's horses are micro-chipped instead. |
| Dutch Sport Horse or simply Dutch Sport Horse. | | | | But the selection process doesn't end with that one |
| Most warmblood breeds are continuing to evolve. In | | | | inspection. Both genders undergo regular re-evaluations |
| fact, they are not breeds in the sense that | | | | and are given classifications according to their |
| Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Morgan Horses and | | | | contribution to the breed, including their own |
| Saddlebreds are breeds. Their studbooks are not | | | | achievements and the achievements of their offspring. |
| closed so that other breeds can be introduced into the | | | | No registry has produced more successful international |
| gene pool to reap the benefits of hybrid vigor and to | | | | show jumping horses than the KWPN. With at least 8 |
| speed and improve the evolutionary process of | | | | Olympic medalists since 2000; 2 in dressage, 6 in show |
| attaining the breeding goal of a particular studbook. | | | | jumping, the Dutch Warmblood Horse ranked first in |
| The Dutch Warmblood is no exception. | | | | jumping by the World Breeding Federation for Sport |
| Registered warmblood breeding in the Netherlands has | | | | Horses (WBFSH) in 2007. |
| been going on for over 100 years. In 1887, King Willem II | | | | Physically, the Dutch Warmblood Horse stands 15.2 |
| recognized the first Dutch studbook organization and in | | | | hands with no upper height limit, although the average |
| doing so he laid the groundwork for regulated | | | | is about 16.2 hands with some reaching 17 hands. A |
| Warmblood breeding. During the 19th century several | | | | horse that is too tall is impractical for sport and |
| regional and local studbook organizations bred horses | | | | therefore not desirable. The head is refined with a |
| specifically for farming. | | | | straight profile and the neck is long and arched. The |
| In the 1950's, the Dutch Warmblood Horse evolved | | | | withers are fairly prominent and the girth is deep with |
| from crossing two man-created Dutch breeds - the | | | | plenty of heart room. The forelegs are strong and |
| Gelderlander and the Groningen, and then refining the | | | | well-muscled and the hindquarters are powerful. The |
| horse with the Thoroughbred to improve stamina. The | | | | hock joints are low to the ground and these factors |
| Gelderlander evolved on the light sandy soils of central | | | | combine to give great power to the Dutch Warmblood. |
| Holland and is a medium-sized horse with a stylish gait | | | | The overall impression should be a horse of balanced |
| and jumping abilities inherited from its many ancestors; | | | | proportions. They are easy to handle, easy to ride and |
| the Gelderlander gave the new breed its excellent | | | | intelligent, with a willing and hard-working character. |
| forequarters. The Groningen evolved on the heavy | | | | Most Dutch Warmblood Horses are black, brown, bay, |
| clay soils of northern Holland into a larger and heavier, | | | | chestnut, or grey. White markings on the face and legs |
| draft style horse that was nearly lost in the mid-20th | | | | are not uncommon. The gene pool also has several |
| Century due to a significant number of mares being | | | | tobiano horses from the approved stallion, Samber, |
| used to create the Dutch Warmblood which left few | | | | although no tobiano stallion has been approved since. |
| purebreds. Both the Gelderlander and the Groningen | | | | The roan pattern turns up occasionally from the |
| share Friesian, Oldenburger and Holsteiner in their | | | | approved stallion, El Rosso. |
| ancestry along with other related warmbloods, such as | | | | Dutch Warmblood Horses are high achievers, but good |
| the Oldenburg and the Hanoverian used to clarify | | | | conformation is not to be overshadowed by |
| minor conformation details as well as to emphasize a | | | | achievements. In a relatively short time the modern |
| calm temperament. The breeding program that began | | | | Dutch Warmblood has risen to international competitive |
| in the 1960's gave the world one of the most | | | | importance. Dutch Warmbloods have been exported |
| successful horse breeds ever developed in postwar | | | | all over the world and are winners under the flags of |
| Europe. | | | | many nations in international competitions as well as in |
| However, there are 3 varieties of Dutch Warmblood | | | | the Olympic Games. |
| Horses. Using the old established bloodlines, the Dutch | | | | Dutch Warmblood foals must have a name no longer |
| developed a true riding sport horse or Rijpaard, using | | | | than 20 characters or spaces that begins with the |
| Thoroughbred stallions as well as riding-type stallions | | | | designated letter for the year of their birth. The |
| from France, Holstein, Hanover and elsewhere while | | | | designated letter for 2008 is “D” and |
| taking care to retain the qualities of the old Dutch | | | | may be the same name as a previous horse, although |
| breeds. Hackney Horses were also introduced to this | | | | the registration number itself will be unique. However, |
| cross in order to produce a stylish harness horse with | | | | approved stallions must have a unique name and in |
| a proud, high head carriage and high knee action, | | | | some cases must be renamed once approved. |
| known as the Dutch Harness Horse or Tuigpaard with | | | | However, there is a downside to the breed. |
| American Saddlebred being added now. Other | | | | Osteochondrosis (OC) is currently the most prevalent |
| breeders continue to breed the traditional Gelderlander | | | | developmental disorder in horses where a disturbance |
| light draft horse, or Basistype, by crossing with the | | | | occurs in the process of ossification, resulting in the |
| Groningen to add more mass. As a result, the modern | | | | formation of abnormalities in the bone and cartilage |
| Dutch Warmblood horse is divided into three | | | | during a foal's growth. Currently, OC affects |
| categories in the KWPN Studbook as sport horse, | | | | approximately 30% of young horses worldwide, mostly |
| harness horse and traditional Gelderlander type. | | | | in warmblood breeds. Of the 12,000 foals born each |
| Breeding and selection of the Dutch Warmblood Horse | | | | year and registered by the Dutch Warmblood |
| is strictly controlled and monitored by the Koninkijk | | | | studbook KWPN, an average of 3,000 will develop OC |
| Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland (KWPN) or | | | | during their first year. A complete genetic study to |
| Royal Warmblood Horse Studbook of the Netherlands. | | | | investigate the differences in genetic background |
| This registry governs the breeding and the studbook in | | | | between joints and differences between factors |
| North America through a branch organization | | | | influencing the development of OC is underway and |
| (KWPN-NA) formed in 1983. Keurings, or horse | | | | will continue for two more years. |
| inspections, are held each year in both the Netherlands | | | | The success of the Dutch Warmblood Horse is no |
| and in North America and the horses are presented at | | | | accident. The same characteristics and approaches |
| age three or older. Only after they have proven that | | | | which have made The Netherlands outstanding in |
| they possess the necessary quality and breed | | | | agriculture and commerce have been applied to their |
| standard will they be entered into the Studbook and | | | | goal to breed the best sport horse in the world. |