All horses are beautiful in my opinion. But there are some that are unique and catch your eye and hold your grasp. The Black Forest Horse of Germany is certainly one of these horse breeds that you cannot resist admiring. It’s characterized by a dense golden mane that pops against the rich chestnut color of their coat. Be prepared to fall in love with this light draft breed that’s evolved over centuries in the Black Forest of southwest Germany.
Image Courtesy of HorseBreedPictures.com
Horse With a Purpose
This working horse breed might be endangered now, but the people of Germany have relied on these horses for nearly 600 years. In the region now known as Baden-Württemberg, the Black Forest Horses have been documented as early as the 15th century through the records of the Abbey of Saint Peter in the Black Forest. These cold-blooded horses might not be as powerful as your giant draft horse breeds, but they are tough and strong and full of might.
Bred For Strength and Temperament
On average, the Black Forest Horse weighs in around 1,250 to 1,400 pounds. Mares are typically 14.3 to 15.5 hands high; stallions can be up to 16 hands high. Black Forest Horses have immense strength, but they are also gifted with incredible patience and a gentle temperament. This makes them an ideal choice for first-time or novice horse owners. These gorgeous horses are typically used for driving, but many rely on them for pleasure, too, such as carriage riding.
The appearance of the Black Forest Horse is somewhat similar to a Haflinger or the Noriker, but these native horses of Germany are well-suited for the intense climate of their native highlands.
Some other names for these horses are: Schwarzwälder Füchs, Schwarzwälder Kaltblut, Wälder Horse, and Saint Märgener.
Endangered Horse Breed
As of 2017, it was recorded that there was a population of 88 stallions and 1,077 mares. Thankfully, these horses are reported to have a high fertility rate. And through careful breeding, there are hopes to see those numbers increase in the near future. There are many individuals dedicated to growing the breed’s numbers so they will never become a thing of the past.
According to TheEquinest.com, an association was formed in Germany in 1896 to preserve and protect this rare breed of horse. The association standardized and documented this beautiful breed, and established that only Belgian draft blood was to be permitted when breeding to increase the size of the horse.
The world-famous Marbuch Stud horse farm in Germany has been in existence since the Middle Ages and is directly responsible for preserving this special breed of horse. Dr. Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck, who is affiliated with the prestigious stud farm, says:
“Marbach is a very old stud with almost 500 years of history. We have not only been breeding Warmbloods and also Arabs, we are also involved in a breeding program for local horse breeds that are threatened—like the Schwarzwälder Kaltblüter (the Black Forest cold blood) and the heavy Warmblood, the Altwürttemberger. Marbach owns about 300 horses, and 200 horses are raised for breeders.”
Black Forest farmers sometimes refer to these elegant and beautiful horses as the “Pearls of the Black Forest”—and it’s easy to see why.
Horse Courses by Elaine Heney
Did you learn anything new and interesting about our equine friends? Share the Black Forest Horse with other equine enthusiasts you know so they can learn something, too.
Love looking at beautiful images of draft horses? See them here on iHeartHorses.com.
6 Most Common Cat Health Problems
Cats are good at self-maintenance. But even your fastidious feline can’t prevent some of these more common cat diseases and health issues.
1. Vomiting
Vomiting is a very common problem with cats with a multitude of causes. They range from eating something poisonous or inedible (like string), to infection, urinary tract disease, or diabetes to hairballs.
2. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)
TSome estimates say as many as 3% of cats seen by vets have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is actually a group of feline diseases with multiple causes.
- List bellow:
- Drinking more
- Straining to urinate
- Bloody urine
- Urinating in unusual places
- Crying when urinating
- Licking around the urinary area (often because of pain)
3. Fleas
- Fleas are a very common external feline health problem. But it’s one you can easily treat. Signs your cat has fleas include:
- Flea dirt on its skin (they look like tiny black dots)
- Constant scratching
- Frequent licking
- Red or irritated skin
- Hair loss
- Skin infections or hot spots
Read More