Hanoverian

History 

The Hanoverian is a relatively new breed, only coming into existence 300 years ago. It started in 1714 when an English king, George I, sent Thoroughbreds to Germany. Later, in 1735, his son started the Celle breeding program, adding Holsteiners to the mix. The result was a excellent working horse.

 At the end of World War II, when Russians invaded Germany, Trakehner owners found their way to the Hanoverian breeding facility in Celle. Their mounts mixed in with the bulky, work horse, creating the perfect sport horse.

Hanoverian doing the extended trot. credit

 With the change of the use of horse from work to sport, the demand for lighter, sportier horse grew. The breeders at Celle stepped up to the plate. Their Hanoverians were awesome sport horses, much like the other German breeds, and the demand for them rapidly grew.

 

 In 1978, the American Hanoverian Society was founded.

 Today, the Celle, remains the hub of Hanoverian breeding. About 200 stallions stand stud there, and approximately 8,000 breedings take place every year.

Hanoverians are also excellent jumpers. credit

Breed Description and Uses

 The Hanoverian, standing 15.3 to 17 hands high, is built like an athlete. Their cannons are short, hocks strong, and should steep and slanted. The croup is sloping, back short, and neck long, with and elegant head. Looking at the Hanoverian, you can visually divide his body into three equal, rectangular pieces: the shoulder section, the barrel, and the haunches. Black, bay, and chestnut are common colors.

 Hanoverians are the most popular of warmbloods, and are excellent at English sports, particularly jumping and dressage. They move gracefully.

 

The Dülmener

 History
For at least 700 years, grulla-colored ponies have been roaming the hilly, wooded area of Westphalia. When the Lord of Dülmen began ruling that part of Westphalia, called Merfelder Bruch, he decided to keep a close watch over the ponies that thrived on that land. Nearby farmers also helped him to watch over the ponies.

The Dülmen is a compact pony with a short neck,
lean legs, and a squarish head. source

 The ponies were thriving until the 1800s, when the land was divided among different people. Then, the remaining countryside was divided among several dukes in 1840, making them the owners of the twenty remaining ponies. Fortunately, they decided to protect the breed, setting aside some of their land as a sanctuary for the horses. Later, they released some Polish and British horses into the herding, and over the next few decades, the number of Dülmen ponies flourished.

To this day, Dülmens are still kept on a reserve, where 300 ponies thrive in their natural habitat. They are rarely given hay and shelter since they have been accustomed to surviving without the help of humans. Every year, in May, the ponies are carefully inspected. The mares are kept, while all but the two best colts are sold at an auction.

Breed Description and Uses
 Standing 12 to 13 hands high, Dülmens are compact, sturdy ponies with light legs, round barrels, short withers, backs, and necks, and a small head. They are usually grulla, a mouse-like dun.

 Dülmens are excellent at cart pulling or working on farms. They have great work ethic.