Rhinelander Horse Breed

Warmblood
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Rhinelander Brand

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Country of Origin: Westphalia, Germany Origin

The Rhinelander Horse Breed are mostly bred in Saxony and Westphalia. They are ranked 10th and 11th as international competition breeds for show jumping and dressage. A Rhinelander is a German warmblood registered with the Rhenish Horse Studbook. The Rhinelander is traditionally bred around Warendorf State Stud, which it shares with the Westphalian. The Rhinelander is bred to the same standard as the Westphalian and other German warmbloods, such as the Bavarian Warmblood, Mecklenburger, Brandenburger, and Württemberger. The Rhinelander is another relatively modern addition to the warmblood breeds. In started as a heavy horse and in the last fifty years has become an international competition animal of merit.

History

The Rhinelander descends from the heavy draught horses or Rhineish-German. The Rhineish-German was primarily used for agricultural purposes. With the mechanization of agriculture the draft breed became less useful The Rhineish was considered one of the best German coldbloods. However, breeding of the Rhinish horses continued and the studbook (Rheinisches Pferdestammbuch) remained open. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, breeders began producing a riding warmblood for pleasure and competition. Trakehners , Hanoverians and Thoroughbreds out of dams with Rheinish ancestry were crossed with stallions from the Hanover/Westphalia area. Stallions resulting from these crosses were then chosen to develop the Rhinelander breed. By 2003, 133 stallions and 3,056 breeding mares were registered with the studbook. In America in particular , many Rhinelanders have been misleadingly advertised as Westphalians because of the lack of a similar studbook. Therefore, the true success of some lines of the breed may never be known. The Rhine region is better-known for breeding the heavy Rhenish Cold Blood which went on until the middle of the 20th century at Wickrath State Stud. About the time that Wickrath closed in 1957, breeding riding horses was gaining economic and cultural importance in Germany. The Rhenish Horse Studbook was founded in 1892 and registers many "specialty breeds," but is primarily concerned with the Rhinelander.

The Rhine region is better-known for breeding the heavy Rhenish Cold Blood which went on until the middle of the 20th century at Wickrath State Stud. About the time that Wickrath closed in 1957, breeding riding horses was gaining economic and cultural importance in Germany. The Rhenish Horse Studbook was founded in 1892 and registers many "specialty breeds," but is primarily concerned with the Rhinelander.

Physical Description:

The standard calls for a horse of correct sport horse type that is long-lined, fitting into a rectangular outline rather than a square, and noble, a term that suggests aesthetic appeal that does not entail extreme refinement. In motion, the Rhinelander should portray boldness, a long stride, and an elastic quality at the walk, trot, and canter. The temperament, character and rideability of the Rhinelander make it suitable for any type of recreational or competitive riding. These horses are primarily bred for dressage and show jumping. Chestnut is the most predominant color, but any color is acceptable.