Groningen Horse

Groningen is a breed that comes from the province of Groningen in the northeastern part of the Netherlands. Groningen has existed in the Netherlands since the late 1700s but the modern Groningen crossed up in the late 1800s. They are heavier than Warmblood horses.

It is now used primarily for riding but is still capable of some agricultural work, which originally was its principal occupation. They originate from old farm horses bred in Groningenprovinsen during the 1700s. These horses were based on the Dutch Frieserhasten and were used primarily as an agricultural horse.

During 1800s they began instead to be crossed with the heavy Warmblood horses to get strong draft horses. As machines took over work on the fields their breed reduced in popularity, and after 1945 the demand for easier riding grew. During the seventies the breed came close to extinction, due to the breeding material which was used for breeding by the eminent Dutch warm blood. Only one purebred stallion remained in the country.

Another step in the preservation of the race was to start ‘Het Groninger Paard’ (Groningerhasten) in 1982 and 1985 which became the association approved by the state to engage in breeding and open a book. The association was founded, inter alia, to weed out the unique Groningen from other Warmblood breeds, all included in the book of the Dutch warm blood.

Breeders of Groningen did not want these horses to be lost in the crowd when, after all, they had a unique exterior and a much calmer and more manageable temperament. Today, some of the lighter horses made the breed more of a “riding” horse and the number of horses is growing steadily.

Today it is estimated that there are more than 300 registered horses in the Netherlands and about 25 stallions approved for breeding. To increase interest in the breed there is also a show of Groninenhastar in August each year.

Attributes

Groningen is a rather coarse and heavy Warmblood who are still today used for driving and facilitating agriculture. The former Groningen was best known for its strong larparti and strong bone structure. Even today, the rear power of the Groningen gives them strength and traction.

The cross is slightly flat and the legs are short, but the horses are well muscled and have a tremendous pull. Hooves are durable and tough and they often have a very calm and stable temperament.