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The Hanoverian is a German bred warmblood horse. The term "Warmblood" was created to explain the temperament of a horse when a "Hot" blood type was crossed with one of a "Cold" blood type. The reference to hot, warm or cold blood refers to the temperament of the horse in question, not the actual temperature of its blood! Hot-blood horses are generally light bodied, high energy horses such as Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Cold blood horses are generally heavier bodied, mild mannered draft type horses such as Shires, Percherons, and Clydesdales. The Hanoverian was bred to be an athletic horse, using primarily Thoroughbred bloodlines crossed with domestic German bred mares. The original intent was to improve the local stock to make them better Calvary and farming animals. The State Stud of Lower Saxony was the first to start developing the breed in 1735. As time progressed, more breeds were introduced to refine the Hanoverian and create an athletic riding horse.
The focus of the breeding program changed from breeding a work horse, to breeding for an animal that exhibited a cooperative attitude, elastic gaits, good conformation, and an outstanding ability to excel in international equestrian events. With the influx of a variety of other horse breeds being introduced to improve the Hanoverian, a very strict grading code and registration process was established by the Hanoverian Horse Society to ensure that only quality stallions and mares are bred. This grading code was set up not only to ensure that the high standards of the breed are maintained, but also to ensure that buyers receive quality horses. Hanoverian grading involves inspection, approval, and licensing of the animal. If the horse meets the grade, it is then allowed to be registered at three years old. Only the offspring of graded horses are allowed to be registered and receive pedigree papers.
Grading standards vary from country to country, but the one most commonly adhered to was established by the Hanoverian Verband in Germany. It specifies that all horses should ideally be " noble, big-framed and compact Warmblood horse with good readability. A horse which, on the basis of its natural abilities, its temperament and character is suitable as a performance horse as well as a pleasure horse. On this basis, the Verband strives for the breeding of talented sport horses in the disciplines of dressage showjumping, eventing and driving."
With this overall standard in mind, specific standards were set for mares and stallions. Stallions are graded on the following criteria: their pedigree (6 generations of approved sires and dams must be recorded), evaluation of type (includes their conformation, gaits, and performance abilities), and a veterinary inspection (to rule out genetic defaults, disease, and abnormalities). Mares are graded on the following criteria: pedigree (a full five generations must be recorded), breed type (conformation, femininity, gaits, and a special bonus for general impression). Mares are also given special marks to identify their grade type represented by a letter. H mares must gain at least 5 points in each of the six main categories plus a general impression mark of 6; while S and V mares must gain six 4s and a 5 for general impression. Finally, there is also a category for Appendix 2 or A mares, which is open to mares of Warmblood type which do not quality for entry into one of the other divisions but which have gained a mark of at least 5 for general impression. A scale of 1 to 10 is used with 10 being the best.
The high level of attention paid to breeding and creating quality animals has given the Hanoverian horse world renowned status as an athlete. Hanoverians are excellent eventing, jumping, driving, and dressage horses. In addition to equestrian disciplines that involve a high level of physical skill, Hanoverians also excel as pleasure and family horses because of their gentle and willing temperaments.
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