The horse breed Sächsisch-Thüringische Schwere Warmblut (Saxon-Thuringian Heavy Warmblood), often just called Schweres Warmblut (Heavy Warmblood), is the most common representative of the Heavy Warmblood horse type in Germany. In former times, the Heavy Warmblood was mainly bred in the breeding area of Thuringia as a working animal. Fields of application were agriculture and the transport industry.
The breeding of Heavy Warmblood horses from Saxony and Thuringia goes back to Oldenburg and East Frisian foundations. The breed almost became extinct in the 1960s and 1970s, as breeding efforts at that time were directed towards riding and sport horses with the creation of the Fine Warmblood. The pure breeding of the Schwere Warmblut horse was even briefly banned by state authorities. The prohibition of pure breeding included the compulsory castration of all horses and almost led to the extinction of the breed before 1980. Committed breeders fed the old stallions until 1977 when breeding was resumed with 10 remaining stallions. Since the 1980s, however, the breeding of the horse breed has been resumed and even intensified. The Moritzburg State Stud is the centre of the breed, the largest population of Heavy Warmbloods is located in Saxony and Thuringia.
The powerful and rather massive horses are known for their good character. They are uncomplicated and reliable. The Heavy Warmblood is a good-willed and strong horse.
The Saxon-Thuringian Heavy Warmblood is suitable as a riding horse, but its true strength lies in driving. They achieve high awards at tournaments and at major championships. Due to their good character, the Heavy Warmbloods are ideal as family and leisure horses.
At the Central Documentation Centre for Animal Genetic Resources in Germany (TGRDEU) the breed is considered endangered and is classified as a “conservation population”. The GEH lists the Heavy Warmbloods on the Red List in category III endangered. The Federal States of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia receive special funding to preserve the breed. The Moritzburg State Stud makes stallions available to breeders and thus contributes to the preservation of the Saxon-Thuringian Heavy Warmblood breed.
Germany
regional, national
Vulnerable: 59 Stallions and 966 mares in 2017
157 - 165 cm
Bay, black, chestnut, grey
Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V. (GEH)
Rare and endangered
Schweres Warmblut – Moritzburger – Saxon-Thuringian Heavy Warmblood – Sang-chaud lourd de Saxe-Thuringe
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