Breed Standards
What defines a Warlander horse?
The Warlander belongs to the category of ‘baroque breeds’ as it has descended from and retained the distinctive characteristics of a particular type of horse that was found in Europe during the Baroque era. These breeds include the Warlander horse’s foundation - Friesian, Andalusian (PRE), Lusitano and Menorquin.Most importantly, the Warlander horse is ‘baroque’ in type.The distinctive characteristics that define a ‘baroque horse’ such as powerful hindquarters, a muscular, arched neck, noble head with a large kind eye and a full, thick mane and tail are fundamental elements of the Warlander horse. The Warlander is a round, wide, close coupled and compact horse with good depth of bone who is suited to the art of Classical Equitation for which it was initially developed. The Warlander belongs to a 'closed' studbook meaning no 'outside' blood is allowed other than its base breeds. In order to be officially recognised as a Warlander, the horse must have full paperwork (registration papers) from the mother studbook (WSS) who owns and manages the Warlander breed standard and the global Warlander database. This paperwork will verify not only the horse's lineage but place it within the appropriate appendix within the studbook.The first impression of a well-bred Warlander horse is one of a ‘romantic’ looking animal - beautiful, harmonious with a noble bearing. The Warlander horse’s substantial bone and roundness is coupled with an agility and light expressive movement. They are willing to please and docile of nature.The Warlander will suit riders who want a horse of easy nature and comfortable ride and is suited to a wide range of pursuits including dressage (Classical and competition), driving, and some aspects of Western or the perfect pleasure mount for children and adults alike. A well-bred Warlander should have a natural cadence in its movement and whilst their movement is expressive it is not too much that it loses its comfortableness for the rider. Whilst their preferred height is between 15.1hh and 16hh their substantial girth will lend well to the rider with a longer leg.Colouring of the Warlander horse is always solid (no broken colour or spots allowed) and only those colours which are registered in the mother studbooks of the base breeds are allowed. Warlander horses are usually grey, black and bay however dilute colours such as buckskin and palomino have been bred. The Warlander horse is moving into the third generation of breeding (F3) and is seeing consistency in type through well thought out pairings of F1 and F2 horses. The breed is unique in that it must be racially correct in its first generation (50/50%).With Warlander breeding – taller is not better as the ‘type’ (roundness and bone) can be lost. First-generation Warlander horses can obtain a 'hybrid vigour' often making them taller than their parents. Hybrid vigour can be a double-edged sword in Warlander breeding because if the horse loses its type it will not pass the breed standard.Within the Warlander horses base breeds, we are seeing an emergence of ‘modern’ types that are finer, leggier – often hotter of temperament but possess more Sports Aptitude than the classic types. To this end, the closed Warlander Studbook will stay true to the breeds type and for those wanting a longer-legged, more sport orientated horse whilst still retaining the ideals (type and temperament) of the purebred Warlander horse we have opened a new studbook – Warlander Sport Horse which is open for up to 25% outside blood.
The Warlander belongs to the category of ‘baroque breeds’ as it has descended from and retained the distinctive characteristics of a particular type of horse that was found in Europe during the Baroque era. These breeds include the Warlander horse’s foundation - Friesian, Andalusian (PRE), Lusitano and Menorquin.Most importantly, the Warlander horse is ‘baroque’ in type.The distinctive characteristics that define a ‘baroque horse’ such as powerful hindquarters, a muscular, arched neck, noble head with a large kind eye and a full, thick mane and tail are fundamental elements of the Warlander horse. The Warlander is a round, wide, close coupled and compact horse with good depth of bone who is suited to the art of Classical Equitation for which it was initially developed. The Warlander belongs to a 'closed' studbook meaning no 'outside' blood is allowed other than its base breeds. In order to be officially recognised as a Warlander, the horse must have full paperwork (registration papers) from the mother studbook (WSS) who owns and manages the Warlander breed standard and the global Warlander database. This paperwork will verify not only the horse's lineage but place it within the appropriate appendix within the studbook.The first impression of a well-bred Warlander horse is one of a ‘romantic’ looking animal - beautiful, harmonious with a noble bearing. The Warlander horse’s substantial bone and roundness is coupled with an agility and light expressive movement. They are willing to please and docile of nature.The Warlander will suit riders who want a horse of easy nature and comfortable ride and is suited to a wide range of pursuits including dressage (Classical and competition), driving, and some aspects of Western or the perfect pleasure mount for children and adults alike. A well-bred Warlander should have a natural cadence in its movement and whilst their movement is expressive it is not too much that it loses its comfortableness for the rider. Whilst their preferred height is between 15.1hh and 16hh their substantial girth will lend well to the rider with a longer leg.Colouring of the Warlander horse is always solid (no broken colour or spots allowed) and only those colours which are registered in the mother studbooks of the base breeds are allowed. Warlander horses are usually grey, black and bay however dilute colours such as buckskin and palomino have been bred. The Warlander horse is moving into the third generation of breeding (F3) and is seeing consistency in type through well thought out pairings of F1 and F2 horses. The breed is unique in that it must be racially correct in its first generation (50/50%).With Warlander breeding – taller is not better as the ‘type’ (roundness and bone) can be lost. First-generation Warlander horses can obtain a 'hybrid vigour' often making them taller than their parents. Hybrid vigour can be a double-edged sword in Warlander breeding because if the horse loses its type it will not pass the breed standard.Within the Warlander horses base breeds, we are seeing an emergence of ‘modern’ types that are finer, leggier – often hotter of temperament but possess more Sports Aptitude than the classic types. To this end, the closed Warlander Studbook will stay true to the breeds type and for those wanting a longer-legged, more sport orientated horse whilst still retaining the ideals (type and temperament) of the purebred Warlander horse we have opened a new studbook – Warlander Sport Horse which is open for up to 25% outside blood.
What defines a Warlander Sport Horse?
The Warlander Sport Horse was created in 2019 by the Warlander Studbook Society (mother studbook of the Warlander breed) in order to cater for a growing number of riders who were looking for a horse, and breeders who had already successfully produced horses that possessed the racial type and temperament of the purebred Warlander horse but possessed more height and Sport Aptitude’.The Warlander Sport Horse belongs to the baroque Sport Horse Category and in essence retains that qualities of the Warlander horse (bone but less so than purebred Warlander, long arched neck, powerful hindquarter with back legs reaching well under body mass, wide chest, strong back, light agile movement and a docile nature) - but with ‘more’ stamina and athleticism needed for higher-level pursuits. In essence, a finer Warlander horse with longer legs.The Warlander Sport Horse belongs to an open studbook which allows no more than 25% outside blood to a ratio of no less than 75% Warlander lineage (both Friesian and Iberian together).The 25% outside blood must come from ‘horse’ breeds (no ponies) and Thoroughbred. Warmblood and Arab types are preferred. However, the breed standard allows ‘any’ horse breed to be utilised.The Warlander horse is known for its comfortable ride. They are a smooth horse that uses their back well. Their movement is ‘light’ and often flamboyant but importantly they must use their hindquarter properly and their back legs come well under their body mass in all gaits. These requirements are the same for the Warlander Sport Horse.The Warlander Sport Horse is a versatile horse suiting a wide variety of pursuits including the Olympic disciplines and driving. What characterises the Warlander Sport Horse is the same as other baroque Sport Horse types in that their build must be uphill with a turned over long neck, a sloping shoulder, and movement that has a long athletic stride and good suspension.The Warlander purebred and it's base breeds (Friesian and Iberian) are all known for their trainability. They are flamboyant horses with a steady, docile nature. The Warlander Sport Horse must retain these qualities and the outside blood is used to create a more 'Sport' orientated horse.When you look at a well-bred Warlander Sport Horse you must easily see the influence of the base breeds (Warlander, Friesian and Iberian purebreds). Trainability is the key to a successful Sport Horse – which is the cornerstone of the Warlander breed.In order to qualify as a Warlander Sport Horse, it must be registered with its mother studbook and founder of the breed (WSS) who owns and manages the official Warlander Sport Horse breed standard. This means it must have met the requirements of the studbook and qualify to the ideals of the Warlander Sport Horse breed standard. There are several different appendixes for the Warlander Sport Horse which will be evident on its registration paperwork.Warlander Sport Horses must be solid in colour. No spots or broken colours are permitted. Dilute colours are accepted.The Warlander Sport Horse belongs to an 'open studbook' and horses within it can never be upgraded to or registered in the purebred (closed) Warlander Studbook.
The Warlander Sport Horse was created in 2019 by the Warlander Studbook Society (mother studbook of the Warlander breed) in order to cater for a growing number of riders who were looking for a horse, and breeders who had already successfully produced horses that possessed the racial type and temperament of the purebred Warlander horse but possessed more height and Sport Aptitude’.The Warlander Sport Horse belongs to the baroque Sport Horse Category and in essence retains that qualities of the Warlander horse (bone but less so than purebred Warlander, long arched neck, powerful hindquarter with back legs reaching well under body mass, wide chest, strong back, light agile movement and a docile nature) - but with ‘more’ stamina and athleticism needed for higher-level pursuits. In essence, a finer Warlander horse with longer legs.The Warlander Sport Horse belongs to an open studbook which allows no more than 25% outside blood to a ratio of no less than 75% Warlander lineage (both Friesian and Iberian together).The 25% outside blood must come from ‘horse’ breeds (no ponies) and Thoroughbred. Warmblood and Arab types are preferred. However, the breed standard allows ‘any’ horse breed to be utilised.The Warlander horse is known for its comfortable ride. They are a smooth horse that uses their back well. Their movement is ‘light’ and often flamboyant but importantly they must use their hindquarter properly and their back legs come well under their body mass in all gaits. These requirements are the same for the Warlander Sport Horse.The Warlander Sport Horse is a versatile horse suiting a wide variety of pursuits including the Olympic disciplines and driving. What characterises the Warlander Sport Horse is the same as other baroque Sport Horse types in that their build must be uphill with a turned over long neck, a sloping shoulder, and movement that has a long athletic stride and good suspension.The Warlander purebred and it's base breeds (Friesian and Iberian) are all known for their trainability. They are flamboyant horses with a steady, docile nature. The Warlander Sport Horse must retain these qualities and the outside blood is used to create a more 'Sport' orientated horse.When you look at a well-bred Warlander Sport Horse you must easily see the influence of the base breeds (Warlander, Friesian and Iberian purebreds). Trainability is the key to a successful Sport Horse – which is the cornerstone of the Warlander breed.In order to qualify as a Warlander Sport Horse, it must be registered with its mother studbook and founder of the breed (WSS) who owns and manages the official Warlander Sport Horse breed standard. This means it must have met the requirements of the studbook and qualify to the ideals of the Warlander Sport Horse breed standard. There are several different appendixes for the Warlander Sport Horse which will be evident on its registration paperwork.Warlander Sport Horses must be solid in colour. No spots or broken colours are permitted. Dilute colours are accepted.The Warlander Sport Horse belongs to an 'open studbook' and horses within it can never be upgraded to or registered in the purebred (closed) Warlander Studbook.
PHOTO CREDIT: CS INVICTUS F1 WARLANDER GELDING - OWNED AND BRED BY KAREN MAREE KAYE CLASSICAL SPORTHORSE STUD - AUSTRALIA