Hanoverian
Origin
Germany
History
Distinguished by its stylized “H” brandmark, the Hanoverian horse is the most numerous and the best known of the European warmbloods. The Hanoverian originated in the seventeenth century when Oriental, Spanish and Neapolitan stallions were imported and crossed with local mares. The breed was established in 1735, when George II, King of England and Elector of Hanover founded the state stud at Celle, and 14 black Holstein stallions were included in the breeding program. The purpose of the stud was to provide farmers with the sevice of good stallions for their mares at a nominal fee and for the first thirty years, Holstein blood was dominant. Later, Thoroughbred blood was added and a lighter, more free-moving horse was created, suitable for being used in carriage harness or under saddle but being strong enough for general farm work.
From the beginning, mares produced by the state-owned stallions were registered and detailed pedigrees were kept by the end of the eighteenth century.
The breeding stock was severely depleted during the Napoleonic wars. From one 100 stallions, only thirty returned to Celle when in 1816 efforts were made to reestablish the stud. The complement was built up with horses from Mecklenburg and more English Thoroughbred imports. By the mid-19th century, 35 percent of Celle´s stock was Thoroughbred. It resulted in a horse that was too light in structure to perform the agricultural work, and attempts were made to standardize the production of a heavier type by using indigenous lines within the breed.
After the Second World war, some Trakehner stallions from East Prussia were sent to Celle. And in the 1960s, efforts were made to satisfy the new demand for high-quality riding and sporting horses. This is probably the most famous breed of competition horses in the world. Selection of breeding stock is done through testing and careful evaluation of both conformation and pedigree. Top-class riding horses go through the Verden auction each year. At that time there are great comparison shows for young Hanoverian horses, and stallions and broodmares are regularly bought by breeders in Europe, the United States, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Description
- Head:
rather plain with a straight profile - Conformation:
-long, muscular neck
-powerful and sloping shoulder
-back of medium length with particularly broad and powerful loins
-very powerful hindquarters
-short legs with short cannons and large and pronounced joints
-hard, well-shaped hooves - Average height:
15.3 to 17 h.h. - Colours:
the main ones are chestnut, bay, brown, black and grey. White markings are frequently seen - Temperament:
it is considered particularly even, accepting discipline and direction from their rider without rebellion - Today:
they are renowned as dressage performers and also as show jumpers of exceptional talent at international levels. They are also used in the production of another warmblood strain in Germany, the Westphalian.
