The Dutch Warmblood is a "warmblood sport horse" breed. Warmblood simply distinguishes this type of horse from the "cold bloods" (draft horses) and the "hot bloods" (Thoroughbreds and Arabians). Sport horse refers to the intended use of the breed -- as a competitive and recreational horse for the major international equestrian disciplines of dressage, jumping, three-day event and driving.


Dutch Warmblood horses average about 16.2 hands with some reaching 17 hands. Coat colors are chestnut, bay, black or gray with white markings often on the face and legs. The head is well shaped, usually with a straight profile, and the neck is arched and well muscled, merging neatly into the withers, which are fairly prominent. The back is straight and fairly long, with the croup short, broad and flat. The tail is set high. The chest of this horse is deep and full and the shoulder is well sloped. The legs are strong with a long forearm. Hind quarters are powerful and highly muscled, a characteristic inherited from the original and powerful farm horses of the Netherlands and a feature necessary for strong movements.


Sport Horse


Dutch Warmbloods are bred to perform in dressage and show jumping at the highest level. These horses are appealing modern horses, with great eagerness, reliability and intelligence.


Harness Horse


The unique Dutch harness horse is bred to perform in driving competitions and in harness horse classes. This harness horse displays a long moment of suspension in the trot, a broadly moving foreleg with high knee action and a powerful carrying hindleg, in combination with a proud, high carriage, enhanced by the long, vertically set neck. The Dutch harness horse is principally harnessed in front of a light show carriage to enhance its unique action.


Gelderland Type


With the merging of the local studbooks into one organization, some breeders decided not to follow the modern trend and continued to breed the traditional farm type of light draft horse -- the Gelderlander. The KWPN created a special breeding direction for these breeders who wished to preserve this original type. The classic lines with the rich front and the enthusiastic performance of the Gelderland horse appeals to a large group of people. Because of its conformation, capacities and its willing and reliable character, the Gelderlander can perform equally well in harness and under saddle. This versatility give the Gelderlander high practical value.