Horse-Breeds

The Trakehner

Of all horse-breeds the Trakehner, although a warm blood, is closest in appearance to the thoroughbred. It has been used in the development of the Dutch, Danish and Swedish warmbloods.

Origin: In the early 18th century in Poland (then known as east Prussia) the local horse was a descendent of the Schweiken horse. The Schweiken was a descendant of the Konik pony which traces back to the Tarpan. The breed began in the early 1700 with the establishment of the Royal Trakehner Stud Administration by Freidrich Wilhelm I of Prussia. Thoroughbred and Arab blood was used to upgrade the Schweiken breed. During WW II the survivors of the Prussian Trakehner were transferred to West Germany were breeding and registration prevented the breed from becoming extinct.

Uses: This breed began it’s work as a carriage horse and then as a mount for the Prussian army. The valued traits of the modern Trakehner, endurance, spirited temperament and good movement made it a favorite for improving other warm blood horses. Today it is also valued as a sport horse.

Description: Very close to the thoroughbred in appearance the Trakehner adds a shorter cannon, large strong feet, a rounder and stronger hindquarter and a more compact body length.

Height: Average 16 to 16-2 hands but can range from 15 to 17+ hands.

Color: Any solid color with or without white markings.

Famous Trakehners: The impressive gray stallion Abdullah was a great success at the 1984 Olympic games winning a team gold and individual silver in the show jumping event.

Have a horse of this breed? Tell us why he/she is so special.

Tell us about your horse and what makes him/her so special to you.