The Dutch Warmblood Studbook
Dutch Warmbloods are a created horse breed rather than one that has evolved over a long period of time. Shetland ponies, for example, evolved to live on the very sparse grazing of the Shetland Isles in Scotland, which led to their diminutive stature. These breed characteristics have been preserved through careful breeding, and only ponies that meet certain criteria and have registered parents are recognized as purebred and can be registered in the Shetland Pony stud book. The stud book for this breed is therefore, referred to as a closed stud book.
Dutch Warmbloods, on the other hand, were bred to satisfy a modern need for sport horses. Serious breeding started in the 1950s using two existing Dutch breeds: the Gelderland and the Gröningen. The Gelderland horse, most typically chestnut in color, was used primarily as a carriage horse, while the Gröningen (typically dark, solid colors such as bay) was a heavier horse used in agricultural work.
The best breeding stock was selected, and then stallions of other breeds introduced, including the Thoroughbred and Trakenher. More recently, horses have been split into specialized categories such as Riding Type, Gelders Type, and Harness Type. The Riding Type is further specialized into Dressage Type and Jumper Type.
As Dutch Warmbloods are bred for ability rather than to preserve breed characteristics, their stud book is described as open, and horses do not have to be pure bred to be registered.
The official studbook for the Dutch Warmblood is the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland (Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook, or KWPN). There is also a North American branch of the studbook which operates its own studbook. If you would like to register a horse as a Dutch Warmblood, this is the best place to start.
Registering a Foal
If a foal has one or more KWPN registered parent, then the breeder can apply to the KWPN to have the foal registered. The foal will then be listed in the Foalbook, and also on one of two registers (A or B) according to its breeding direction, for instance, if it is a Riding Type and so forth.
The breeding direction of the sire will normally determine the breeding direction of the foal; however, it is possible to mix breeding stock across the registers and mate, say, a Dressage Type to a Jumper Type. The resulting progeny would then be assessed by other criteria, including the Chart of Registration Options.
Registering a Mature Horse
Mature horses are assessed individually on their criteria to be registered. Depending on the criteria they meet, they will be listed in the Studbook and either Register A or B. They must have one KWPN registered parent to qualify for registration.
How to Register a Horse
To register a horse, contact either KWPN or the North American branch of KWPN for a registration form.
Could My Horse Already Be Registered?
If you have a horse with an unknown history, and you suspect that he may be a Dutch Warmblood, it may be possible to investigate his past.
- Older horses may carry a KWPN brand (a lion rampant) on the shoulder or hip although branding has now been made illegal. A horse carrying such a brand is almost certainly registered and should be traceable through the KWPN.
- KWPN registered foals follow a naming convention in Europe meaning that all foals born in a certain year will be given names starting with the same letter. For example, the registration letter for 2002 was V. If you know your horse’s registered name, the KWPN can trace him through their database.
- Check to see if your horse is microchipped. If so, the details should include his registered name.
- If all else fails, the KWPN can sometimes trace horses through DNA testing, although this is an expensive option.
It is always worth registering a horse with the KWPN if possible, as registered horses have a higher value. For more information and a copy of the Chart of Registration Options, contact the KWPN.
Sara Walker - I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BA in English and French, and spent many years working as a software trainer and then ...
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