Many of the common light horse riding and driving breeds were originally developed to serve the needs of mounted military and those who wanted an attractive, agile and athletic riding horse. The development of many warmbloods began about the mid 1700s when studbooks and registries were formed to keep track of pedigrees and ensure that the desirable qualities of a particular type of horses was maintained.


In many European countries, warmblood type horses were being bred for the same purpose, but in very separate breeding programs.

Hot, Cold and Warm Bloods

Horses are often regarded as hot or cold blooded. Hot blooded breeds include the Arabian, Barb, Akhi-Teke, Thoroughbred and Shagya Arabian. Coldblood breeds include draft horses like the Percheron, Clydesdale and many early native horses. But that doesn’t mean that a warm blood is the direct offspring of one hot blooded and one cold blooded horse. The actual antecedents of today's warmbloods are a little more obscure. Many of these horses will have had heavy draft horse or native breeds in their bloodlines many generations back. Warmbloods are not generally regarded as breeds, but as types.

Warmbloods are a medium sized horse, perhaps a bit taller than the average riding horse, who have a sensible temperament. Their pedigrees will show a wide range of blood stock including Thoroughbred, Arabian, and native European horses.

Open Studbooks

Many warmblood registries do not have closed studbooks.

Most true breeds require that offspring has two pureblood, registered parents. If a horse is bred to another that is not the same breed, the offspring is regarded as a part bred. Offspring may also be eligible to be entered into the breed registry and used for breeding based on bloodlines alone. Warmblood registries do things a bit differently. Many warmblood registries allow the occasional infusion of other breeds. They may use breeds like Thoroughbreds or Arabians to enhance certain characteristics.

 Warmbloods must be approved before being used for breeding. Each stallion and mare must be reviewed by a selection committee that compares the horse to a set of standards to gain approval. Not only must the horses, especially stallions,  have desirable conformation they must also undergo performance testing to demonstrate their athleticism. Temperament is also an important consideration.

Warmbloods are generally more sensible and ‘coolheaded’ than their hot blooded ancestors and this made them more suitable as riding and driving horses. Their greater size, inherited from the large cold blooded horses, made them more suitable for carrying cavalry, while still retaining the stamina of the hot blooded horses in their pedigree.

Athleticism and Use

While the warmbloods started out as war horses, and mounts for nobility,  pulling vehicles and used in hunting, today they are used as sporthorses. They are used for eventing, dressage, stadium jumping and other sports that require a high degree of athleticism. Many horses ridden in Olympic and Grand Prix disciplines are warmbloods, often imported from Europe. They are also used for pleasure riding or driving.

North American Warmbloods

We often think of warmbloods as being European, such as  the Dutch, Danish or German Warmblood, Oldenburg or Trakhaner. But, many North American Breeds are technically warmbloods as well. These may not have to undergo a selection process to be used for breeding, but their mix of hot and cold blooded ancestors results in a horse that has the qualities of both. Breeds like the American Quarter Horse, Morgan, Canadian, Appaloosa and many others, are warmbloods.  These horses are known to be athletic and good tempered.  These breeds helped open up unexplored territory, carry military, work livestock and till the land making them an ideal work companion. Many are popular breeds for beginners.