Have you ever had the opportunity to see a Black Forest Horse in the flesh? If yes, then you should consider yourself lucky because they are one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world. The Black Forest Horse is a breed of horses identified by their thick mane that waves down reaching both sides of their neck. They are draft horses and just like all the other draft horses they also possess tremendous power, endurance, and kind temperament.
But unlike most draft horses who are mainly used for driving, the Black Forest horses can fully be used as pleasure horses, such as riding, packing, etc. They are excellent horses for beginners or first-time owners. They are identified in their homeland as Schwarzwälder Füchse (or Kaltblut), this cold blood is still endangered even though their numbers have increased considerably, there are around 700 listed broodmares and 50 studs in Germany, but the total population is under 2,000.
There are many breeders that work together worldwide to preserve the genetic pool and keep these radiant horses from turning extinct. But you have to know that just a few years ago there were less than 150 registered broodmares in the whole world, so the battles to protect this wonderful breed have clearly worked. The original Black Forest Horses were brought in Washington, the United States in May of 2001, only after the breeding barn, Black Forest Stables USA had the possibility to obtain permission from the German breeding association. There are around 46 state-approved breeding stallions and 700 breeding mares identified for the Black Forest Horse in Germany.
The Black Forest Horse is nearly always a deep sorrel color with a golden mane and tail. The mane and tail are remarkably thick, abundant and are absolutely stunning in their length and beauty. The mane may quickly hang down well under the lower line of the neck and the forelock may fully cover the face if it’s not braided. As we mentioned in the beginning, The Black Forest Horse is used for various activities but infrequently as a farming heavy draft horse. They are recognized as representations or icons of Germany and are generally used as driving and cart horses or as mascots or representatives in parades, city events or also to pull wedding carriages. The Black Forest Horse is a coldblood breed with a kind and gentle temperament.
They are great riding horses and due to all these amazing qualities that this breed possesses has helped boost their numbers not only in Germany but all over the world. In order to develop the Black Forest Horse, it was used the blood of both the Noriker and Breton horse breeds. These two distinct breeds are a part of the Black Forest Horse, it is diverse than either and is a different breed toward itself. The Black Forest Horse has existed and has been observed at least 600 years ago in Germany.
They were perfectly adapted to forestry and logging work in the sheer and hard area of the Black Forest, which is also how they got their name. There are six principal bloodlines transmitted in the Black Forest Horse breed, each is designated by a letter (D, M, R, W, F, V ) each letter indicates the strains or enhancements to the bloodline, with the F and V lines meaning the addition of Freiburger and Schleswiger breeds individually. ”Rossfest” or also known as the festival of horses is a very special event that takes place every three years in the town of St. Maergen.
The main protagonists of this festival are Black Forest Horses who are delivered to the event to battle against each other and to pick the prizewinner mares for breeding. Not only that, but there are also stallions on displaying and many different events highlighting the flexibility of the breed. The town of St. Maergen is supposed to be the real homeland of the Black Forest Horse and it is the place were the original studbook for the breed was established.
Interesting Facts about the Black Forest Horse:
1. The black forest horse is often named the ‘Golden Retrievers of the horse world’.
2. They are recognized for their high fertility.
3. The most prevalent color of the Black Forest Horse is dark chestnut.
4. The horses who have regularly provided excellent offspring are valued with the ‘Premium Stallion’ title, while only a few will hold the ‘Elite Stallion’ title. This is the most important consideration conferrable to any black forest stallion.
5. Because of their beauty, grace, and elegance, the Black Forest farmers call these horses as the ‘Pearls of the Black Forest’.