Reliable sources for local breeds in Hessen did not exist.
There was no state breeding as it was all based on the local farmers in the former
centuries. The princely stables bred with imported breeds according to the
period's fashion and for their own use only, creating no unique breed type. The
only exception was the Beberbeck stud which existed until 1929 and had a good
name for noble half-breeds.
After being included in the Prussian stud agency in 1866 the
Hessian breeders could not compete with the more important breeds of the other
Prussian provinces. Therefore the rural breeders concentrated upon the breeding
of draft horses, as those were in large demand. The still existing warmblood
breeding which was based on Oldenburg bloodlines was hardly noticed at the
time." Green Acres
Hessen is a breeding region in Germany along with Westphalia
and Hanover. In fact, Hessen ranks 4th in warmblood breeding. It boasts more
than 4,000 broodmares and more than 60 state stallions. This information is
based on the official Hessian State Stud at Dillenburg.
The Hessen Warmblood is an excellent German warmblood. In
the 1960s the heavier breed of Hessen an effort was made to breed a more
refined and lighter breed to be used as a sport horse. Trakenher, Hanoverian,
Holsteiner and Arabian blood has been infused in an effort to achieve this end.
The Hessen is able to carry all types of riders from lightweight to
heavyweight. They have a sweet temperament, are elegant in their way of going,
willing, athletic, have great endurance and are intelligent.
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