Latvian warm blood Horse

The Latvian warm blood is a breed of horse that comes from Latvia. The breed has three different conformation types; each of the three breeds is used for different purposes.

In Latvia, their warm blood it is the most common horse breed there. The horses are best known for his ground covering movement and good temperament.

History

The origins of the different types of Latvian Warmblood are believed to originate from the primitive forest horse that existed across Northern Europe. There is a strong link between the Latvian Warmblood horses, the Swedish North Swedish horse, and the Norwegian Dole Gudbrandsdal.

During the 1600s the Latvian horses were crossed with other breeds including the various German Warmblood horses and the Arabian thoroughbreds to produce a much lighter and more athletic riding horse.

During the 1700s the horses were bred to the Thoroughbred race to introduce some speed.

During the early 1900 further develops of different driving or harness horses to improve their speed in Latvia with the help of various imported Harness horses, which likewise had their origin in the Skogshasten.

The North Swedes used, a large number of different European Warmblood horses, in their breeding programme. The biggest influence of the Latvian horse out crossing came from the German horse races of the Oldenburg, Holsteiner and Hanoverian.

Between 1921 and 1940 there were imported over 100 Oldenburg horses to Latvia from Germany and Holland. There were as many as 65 stallions and 42 mares imported from Holland and it was from these Oldenburg that became the foundation of the breed’s continued development.

The third type of horse was the heavier wagon and harness breed which was crossed to the imported heavier Ardennes horses.

The Carriage horses were descended from good quality fast harness horses and the medium to heavy draft horse through the incorporation of the Norfolk Trotter and the Friesian horse breeds.
This was, to produce a more refined carriage horse that had a better confirmation than the usual draft working horse type.

1952 the breed was officially approved and the Latvian warm blood had its stud book established in which all three types of horse were included. The data of the original stud books remained untouched until 1960, when it was decided to produce a new horse by crossing the wagon type animal with the Hanoverian and the English full blood.

The reason behind this crossing was to develop a easier Latvian horse that was more athletic and had a better confirmation.

Attributes

The Latvian warm blood characteristic confirmation varies somewhat between the different types.

The Latvian riding horses is the perfect all-around horse that can be used in most equestrian disciplines such as dressage and show jumping.

The Latvian coach horse is taller with fast paces and elegant movements which makes the horse a great choice as a harness and saddle horse. The horse is a popular breed of choice.

The much heavier and more muscled draft type horse is the most unusual of the three types, unfortunately there is very little demand for farm horses anymore.

The commonality between the Latvian horses is that they have good legs, rather large heads with straight nose profile and large eyes. The neck is relatively long and muscular, but is stronger in the draft variety of the breed

The legs are rather short but strong and regular. All three types are strong, healthy animals that have good stamina. Often horses are brown, but can be black or dark brown bay.

The Latvian warm blood is also quiet and easy to handle with a good humour.