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The rare Rottaler horse is one of the oldest warmblood breeds in Germany, dating back to the Middle Ages. They can be of heavy warmblood type, but also of a lighter type, since they were universally used by the farmers for riding, driving or even field work. In the 1960s the Rottaler breed got absorbed by the modern sportive warmblood breeding and their branding „R“ was changed into a „B“, for Bavarian warmblood.
The Rottaler horse is proven to be the oldest historically mentioned horse breeding in Germany, alongside the East Frisian horse. The origin of horse breeding can be traced back to the 9th century. In Rottal/Lower Bavaria, horses with Arab bloodlines were bred on the basis of Hungarian plunder horses.
In the 16th century valuable stallions were given to monastery farms, which were also to be used by the farmers. The aim was to refine the land races of the time. Later the Rottalers were highly valued as fast, enduring military horses for artillery and riding. Until the 1950s the Rottaler was the most important warmblood population in Bavaria.
In 1963 the brand name “R” was changed to “B”. The conversion of Bavarian horse breeding from universal and farming warm blood to a pure sport horse brought the versatile Rottaler to the edge of existence. Nevertheless, a high percentage of Bavarian sport horses still carry Rottaler bloodlines today.
Rottaler horses are friendly and relaxed in character, with a good nature and balanced temperament. All Rottaler horses are subject to character tests.
The Rottal warmblood horse is a noble universal horse. It is an excellent, reliable horse for riding, driving and leisure. It has powerful, spacious movements and also willing to jump. Rottalers are all-round performers both in the area of leisure riding and for higher ambitions. This traditional versatility is maintained and is reflected in the breeding test.
Only 1994 a small group revitalised the breed with only 22 horses left and reintroduced the studbook. Rottaler are bred by the mare line and nowadays the population counts 80 horses with 25 registered mares and 3 approved stallions. The breed is critically endangered.
Germany
regional, Bavaria
Critical: less than 100
160 - 165 cm
Bay, black, seal bay, few markings
Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V. (GEH)
Rare and endangered
Rottaler – Rottaler Pferd
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