Hanoverian
The Hanoverian Horse or simply the Hanoverian is a breed of German warmblood horses that are strong and robust. As they are lightweight and agile, they often participate in different equestrian competitions including English dressage and mounted athletics.
Height
15.7-18.2 hands
Weight
1,000 to 1,300 pounds
Life Expectancy
25-30 yrs
History of the Hanoverian
The Celle State Stud in Lower Saxony was founded by the royal decree of the British ruler George II, as well as the Duke of Braunschweig-Luneburg and the Elector of Hanover in 1735. The objective of establishing this royal stud farm was to improve the quality of horse breeding that would facilitate not just the farmers but also the cavalry. The King bought versatile stallions that could be used in harness and agriculture, as also for breeding the horses for the mounted cavalry.
Read more: Hanoverian horse
Characteristics of the Hanoverian
These noble and elegant horses have an appropriately proportioned body, and their flexible movements are marked by a ground-covering walk, a rhythmic canter, as well as a floating trot.
Hanoverian Care
Breed standards are very high by the German Hanoverian Breeders’ Society, which works closely with and influences the American Hanoverian Society. Potential breeding stallions and mares must undergo rigorous evaluation and testing before becoming approved for the registry. However, many Hanoverian fanciers are looking to further improve the breed by crossbreeding the Hanoverian with other purebred horses in order to create a more sophisticated, athletic but gentle horse—one that can compete in a variety of sporting events. This breed can experience osteochondrosis during early stages of growth, so proper nutrition is important to maintain strong bone health as they reach their mighty size.
Grooming
The Westphalian can benefit from regular grooming sessions. Frequent currying can help to bring out a shine in its coat, a valuable perk in the show ring. Most Westphalians are shown with braided manes and tails, so maintenance can go a long way toward making show preparation easier. Keeping tails well-conditioned and detangled can improve the quality of the tail. Regularly pulling manes helps to make them more manageable for braiding.
Nutrition
Mature Westphalians tend to be easy keepers, which can save you money on your feed bill. These horses need a diet that consists mainly of forage, including hay and grass. Horses in intense work may benefit from a feed concentrate, while others may do just fine with a ration balancer.
Problems
On the whole, Westphalians tend to be healthy, but they are closely related to Hanoverians. Hanoverians are known for having issues with Osteochondrosis, which may also affect Westphalians. Osteochondrosis can result in leg lesions and lameness, potentially ending or limiting competition and riding careers. This condition can sometimes lead to navicular, a painful hoof condition that requires careful and sometimes intense maintenance to keep the horse comfortable.
Pros
- Highly athletic
- Great amateur-friendly temperament
- Easy keepers and relatively healthy
Cons
- High purchase cost
- Large movement isn't ideal for beginners
Did You Know?
The dressage team that earned the Olympic gold medal at Beijing in 2008 consisted of three Hanoverian geldings including Bonaparte, Satchmo, and Elvis VA.
Shutterfly and For Pleasure are two of the most well-known Hanoverian show jumpers.
According to the rankings published by WBFSH in 2008, the Hanoverian studbook earned the third spot in eventing just behind the Irish Hunter and Selle Francais
