Rhineland Horse

Rhineland Horse

The Rhineland horse breed belongs to Germany. It was developed mainly from the Belgian Draft horse. The infusions from the Percheron, Ardennes, Boulonnais, and Clydesdale were made to fashion a heavy-weight but handsome horse having great power. The Rhineland horse was an outstanding horse at draft and farm work.

Its efficiency in both capacities is remarkable. It is quite common that the horse breed is also known as Rheinish-Belgian, Rheinish-Westphalian, German Coldblood, Rhineland Heavy Draft, and Niedersachsen Heavy Draft. From the appearance of this horse, you will find out that it is a very four spare horse and its build is bulky.

History of Rhineland Horse

The Rhineland horse is known by different names throughout Western and Eastern Germany. During the last half of the 19th century, the Rhineland horse breed was developed. The most important center for breeding this horse was the Wickrath regional stud in Rhineland. In 1876, the studbook was started for draft and agriculture.

By the early 20th century it had become the most famous of all the German breeds and was bred all over the country, often going under a variety of local names. Today the horse and its offshoots are fast dying out from lack of demand. One of the very few Rhineland types to exist nowadays is the Niedersachsen Heavy Draught. The popularity this horse enjoyed was quite short.

The physique of Rhineland Horse

The Rhineland horse is a massive and bulky horse of enormous power. It has a relatively neat, small, and well-shaped head with kind eyes and open nostrils. The jaw of this horse is a heavy one. The neck is brawny and crested. The shoulders and hindquarters are massive and muscular. Usually, the withers are not high.

The back it possesses is broad and short. It has a profound and broad chest. The body is dense and deep-girthed with powerful loins. It has muscular and short legs with medium feathers. The legs have high-quality sound joints, short cannon bones, and very tough feet. It seems that they are very low to the ground as they have very short legs compared to the size of the body.

Height of Rhineland Horse

The Rhineland horse attains a height of 16-17 hands high.

Body Color of Rhineland Horse

The body of the Rhineland horse is chestnut, red roan, sorrel, and chestnut roan with a blond mane and tail.

The temperament of Rhineland Horse

Rhineland horse is a good-natured, quiet, obliging animal which matures early. It is energetic and willing as well.

Uses of Rhineland Horse

The Rhineland horse is used for draft work mainly. The horse was developed to meet growing demand from agriculture and industry. It is an excellent farm and draft worker.

As the age of mechanization commenced, the breed of Rhineland horse received a dramatic setback. It decreased in terms of numbers. In the present day and age, the horse breed is amongst the rarest horse breeds on the planet.

There was a time when the Rhineland horse breed was the most fruitful in Germany. Regrettably, the breed saw a great decline in numbers. It became so less that today only about two percent of the total horse population in Germany are draft breeds. The breed needs to be diligently revived.

See more: Russian Heavy Draft Horse