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The Westphalian (or 'Westfalen') is a German sport warmblood breed which excels in dressage and show-jumping, and is considered to be one of the best breeds in the world in these two disciplines.
The Westphalian breed originated in the province of Westphalia, where it started as a relatively heavy breed which was used for military and farm work. When the need for farm horses declined, breeders crossed their Westphalians with Hanoverians, to turn the Westphalian into a lighter and more athletic breed.
The heavy influence of the Hanoverian over the Westphalian is still noticeable, with the two having a similar conformation, though the Westphalian can be a bit heavier. Nevertheless, the Westphalian is an outstanding horse for dressage and show-jumping.
Westphalian registries have an open book policy which allows to crossbreed Westphalian horses with German, Swedish, Belgian, Dutch, and Canadian sport warmbloods, as well as with Thoroughbreds and Anglo-Arabs. However, every stallion must pass a strict conformation evaluation, and to achieve a minimal number of achievements and wins, before it is approved for breeding.
Westphalian horses usually have solid coats in the colors of bay, chestnut, brown, black, or grey. Cream-diluted colors and pinto coats exist in this breed but to a lesser extent. When it comes to height, the Westphalian breed is divided into two groups: ponies, who stand between 13.2hh and 14.2hh, and horses, who usually stand between 15.3hh and 17hh, but their full height range is 14.3hh and 17.1hh.
The Westphalian breed originated in the province of Westphalia, where it started as a relatively heavy breed which was used for military and farm work. When the need for farm horses declined, breeders crossed their Westphalians with Hanoverians, to turn the Westphalian into a lighter and more athletic breed.
The heavy influence of the Hanoverian over the Westphalian is still noticeable, with the two having a similar conformation, though the Westphalian can be a bit heavier. Nevertheless, the Westphalian is an outstanding horse for dressage and show-jumping.
Westphalian registries have an open book policy which allows to crossbreed Westphalian horses with German, Swedish, Belgian, Dutch, and Canadian sport warmbloods, as well as with Thoroughbreds and Anglo-Arabs. However, every stallion must pass a strict conformation evaluation, and to achieve a minimal number of achievements and wins, before it is approved for breeding.
Westphalian horses usually have solid coats in the colors of bay, chestnut, brown, black, or grey. Cream-diluted colors and pinto coats exist in this breed but to a lesser extent. When it comes to height, the Westphalian breed is divided into two groups: ponies, who stand between 13.2hh and 14.2hh, and horses, who usually stand between 15.3hh and 17hh, but their full height range is 14.3hh and 17.1hh.
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