Warmbloed

Warmbloed, or warmblood, describes a broad category of riding horses developed in Europe rather than a single breed. The term denotes horses that balance athletic ability with calm, cooperative temperaments, making them suitable for sport riding and general riding duties. Warmbloods are not defined by a strict breed standard; instead, they are groups of breeds and types that share similar characteristics and breeding goals.

Historically, warmbloods arose from crosses between hot-blooded riding horses (such as Thoroughbreds and Arabians) and larger, heavier draft horses. The aim was to produce a horse with the speed and refinement of hot-bloods and the power and resilience of cold-bloods, resulting in a versatile riding horse capable of endurance in sport disciplines. Over time, specialized breeding programs in Europe refined these horses for performance in sport rather than purely utilitarian work.

In the modern era, warmbloods include many well-known breeds registered under national studbooks and international sport organizations. Examples commonly associated with the warmblood grouping are the Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Selle Français, Belgian Warmblood, and others. These horses typically range from about 15.2 to 17 hands tall and are prized for balance, trainability, and correct movement. They are especially prominent in dressage, show jumping, and eventing, but many warmbloods are also well suited to general riding and competition.

Breeding programs emphasize performance testing, conformation assessment, and progeny performance records. Studbooks maintain pedigrees and register offspring as warmbloods, enabling selective improvement across generations. The warmblood category remains central to European sport horse breeding and international competition, reflecting a philosophy of combining athleticism with reliable temperament.