About Danish Warmblood Horses

Danish Warmbloods, formerly know as the Danish Sports Horse, are large-framed horses from Denmark. They were developed by crossing Frederiksbork horses with Thoroughbreds. The mares resulting from this were then bred with Anglo-Norman horses, Thoroughbreds, and Trakehners. This and selective breeding produced a Danish Warmblood. Danish Warmbloods are the youngest of all European warmblood breeds.

Danish Warmbloods are similar to Thoroughbreds but they have a more substantial build. They are known to be very cooperative, intelligent, alert, and sociable horses. They are courageous and have an excellent temperament. They are also described as having a good, free action, and are eager to perform.  

Danish Warmbloods are from 15.3 to 17 hands tall. They have attractive heads with big eyes. Their shoulders are long and sloping with well-defined and pronounced withers giving a favorable position of the saddle. They have muscular necks with good length of rein, deep broad chests, and a strong compact back. Danish Warmbloods can be any solid color, though they are most commonly seen in black, chestnut, bay, or dark brown.  

In 1962 the first Danish Sporthorse Breed Society was founded, and a registry for the Danish Warmblood was opened to register foals and approve of stallions for breeding. It is maintained by the Danish Warmblood Society. Danish breeders claim the Danish Warmblood to be of superior quality and more versatility than many of the comparative European breeds.

The brand of the horse is the Crown Over The Wave. It was drawn by I. C. Christensen and designed by the Georg Jensen silver smithy in 1963. The logo symbolizes a kingdom surrounded by water, and is used to identify the progeny of stallions and mares graded with Danish Warmblood.

Danish Warmbloods are used in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. They are also sometimes used for Cross Country. Prior to 2004, the goal of the Danish Warmblood Society was to breed an all-around sporthorse, but now breeding is more specifically pinpointed to create a top show jumper or dressage horse.  

In order to maintain high standards of the breed, a "100 day test" is given to Danish Warmblood stallions before they are approved of for breeding. The test requires qualities such as easy riding and a strong competitive aptitude.

Approximately 3,500 foals are registered every year. The National Committee for Horse breeding is responsible for secure stud records. The Danish Warmblood is still an uncommon breed in the United States; however in 2001 a North American Danish Warmblood Association was formed to promote the breed in the U.S.