Warm-blooded (or warmblood) is a classification for horse breeds that were developed by systematically crossing heavy cold-blooded draft breeds with lighter hot-blooded Arabian and Thoroughbred stock, with the goal of producing athletic horses with the power and substance of the draft and the refinement, movement, and trainability of the hot-blood. The result is the modern sport horse: larger and more substantial than a Thoroughbred, more athletic and refined than a draft horse, and bred specifically for the Olympic disciplines of dressage, show jumping, and three-day eventing.
Major Warmblood Breeds
- KWPN (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland / Dutch Warmblood): The world's most globally distributed warmblood registry. KWPN horses dominate Grand Prix dressage and World Cup show jumping rankings. The registry maintains strict performance testing (performance tests, IBOP riding tests, mare inspections) before horses qualify for the main studbook.
- Hanoverian: A German warmblood developed in the Royal Hannover stud from the 18th century onward. Known for correctness of movement, scopey jumping, and consistent temperament. Frequently champion at major dressage and jumping championships.
- Oldenburg: Originally a Frisian-based heavy carriage horse, refined through Thoroughbred and other warmblood infusion into a modern sport horse known for elasticity of movement and size (typically 16.2-17.2 hh).
- Trakehner: The lightest of the major German warmbloods, with more Thoroughbred and Arabian influence than others; known for refinement, sensitivity, and exceptional dressage movement. Originated at the Royal Trakehnen stud in East Prussia.
- Swedish Warmblood: Known for producing successful competition horses in dressage and jumping; the breed has produced numerous Olympic medalists.
- Selle Francais: The French sport horse breed; known particularly for jumping ability and cross-country performance in eventing.
Warmblood Registry System
Unlike closed registries such as the Thoroughbred or Arabian, most warmblood registries are open: horses from many breeds can be approved and entered, provided they pass inspection and performance testing. Progeny testing, evaluating a stallion's offspring across multiple performance trials, is central to warmblood breeding improvement. International registries cooperate through the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH), which ranks stallions by offspring competition performance. See also hot-blood and cold-blood.
Further Reading: World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH): rankings of warmblood stallions and mares by offspring competition performance worldwide.