Groningen Horse 417445 220629900 2008-06-20T20:02:08Z DOI bot 6652755 Citation maintenance. You can [[WP:DOI|use this bot]] yourself! Please [[User:DOI_bot/bugs|report any bugs]]. {{Infobox Horse |name= Groningen Horse |image=Groningen.jpg |image_caption=1898 lithograph of the Groningen |features = Calm, substantial farm and carriage horse with a plain head, powerful, high-set neck, and level topline. |altname= Groninger<br>Groningse paard |nickname= |country= The Netherlands |group1= Gronings Paardenstamboek (1897-1942) |std1= N/A |group2=Het Groninger Paard (1982-) |std2=http://www.hetgroningerpaard.nl/new_site/info.html}} The '''Groningen Horse''' is a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] horse breed developed for light draft and agricultural work. It is closely related to [[heavy warmblood]] breeds like the [[Ostfriesen/Alt-Oldenburger|East Friesian and Alt-Oldenburger]]. The breed was nearly lost in the mid-20th century because a significant number of mares were used for [[crossbreeding]] to create the [[Dutch Warmblood]], leaving few purebreds. ==History== ===Foundation=== The Groningen shares much of its initial foundation with the [[Friesian horse|Friesian]], [[Ostfriesen/Alt-Oldenburger|East Friesian and Alt-Oldenburger]], and [[Holstein (horse)|Holsteiner]]: small native farm horses and medieval [[Destrier|destriers]] were influenced by popular [[Andalusian horse|Spanish]], [[Neapolitan horse|Neapolitan]], and [[Arabian horse]]s in the 17th and 18th centuries. Horses like England's [[Cleveland Bay]] were also utilized, producing a horse that was tall by the standards of the day, as well as reasonably elegant with deep, wide haunches and a thick, high-set neck. Although [[Studbook selection|selection procedures]] had been in use for many years, the first Dutch horse [[breed registry|registries]] weren't founded until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The North-Netherlands Warmblood Horse Studbook<ref name="NAWPN">{{cite web | title = Information: Terms and Abbreviations | url = http://www.nawpn.org | work = North American Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederlands | accessmonthday=January 6 | accessyear=2008}}</ref>, or '''NWP''', regulated horse breeding in [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]], [[Friesland]], and [[Drenthe]], while the '''NSTg''' did the same for the southern regions, including [[Gelderland]]. The goals of the registries were characterized by distinct differences in the soil composition: Groningen had heavy, wet, clay soil and needed a particularly stout horse to [[Plough|till]] it, while the soil in Gelderland was sandier. Nevertheless, both studbooks aimed to produce a horse that could perform farm work, retaining as much elegance as possible to make them attractive [[carriage]] horses. This goal echoed that of neighboring [[East Frisia]] and [[Oldenburg (state)|Oldenburg]], regions with which breeding stock were freely exchanged. The NWP also utilized [[Holstein (horse)|Holsteiners]], which were rumored to have been influenced by the horses of Dutch immigrants.<ref name="Stars">{{cite web | title = History of the Dutch Breed: The Stars Hidden Behind 'Horses of the Dutch' | url = http://www.sporthorse-breeder.com/cgi-bin/csArticles/articles/000007/000768.htm | author = Dr. Guy Vanstraelen | date = 2005-10-17 | work = Sporthorse Breeder | accessmonthday=January 6 | accessyear=2008}}</ref> In reality, all parts of the region known as [[Frisia]] have ties beyond the similarity of their soil and weather. The result of these exchanges was that at the turn of the century, the Groningen, East Friesian, Oldenburger, and Holsteiner were calm, substantial farm and carriage horses with primarily [[Equine coat color|dark coats]]. In the 1920's and 30's, horses were bred to be rather heavier, fulfilling the roles of tractor horse and [[Horse artillery|artillery horse]], though the lighter ''Karossier'' type was still present in all populations.<ref name=Stars/> ===Decline=== Following the wars, the breeding of heavy agricultural horses collapsed, and the breeders had to adapt. In 1964, the southern studbook opened a "Sportregister"<ref name="EvKWPN">{{cite web | title = Evaluation Horsebreeding KWPN | url = http://home.iae.nl/users/lijssel/english/evalkwpn.htm | work = KWPN Paarden Horses Pferde | accessmonthday=January 6 | accessyear=2008}}</ref> with the aim of producing [[sport horse|riding horses]], and in 1969 the NWP and southern studbook merged to form the '''KWPN''', the Royal Warmblood Horse Studbook of the Netherlands. There was a studbook for [[Dutch Warmblood|riding horses]], a studbook for [[Dutch Harness Horse|driving horses]], and a studbook for Gelderlanders. All of the Groningen stallions lost their breeding approval, and mare owners were encouraged to breed their Groningen mares to foreign stallions. The breed was sure to disappear. ===Preservation=== In 1978, the last remaining NWP Groningen [[stallion]], Baldewijn, was saved from the butcher<ref name="Association">{{cite web | title = Information | url = http://www.hetgroningerpaard.nl | work = The Groningen Horse Association | accessmonthday=January 5 | accessyear=2008}}</ref>. A small group of interested breeders pooled their genetic resources - 20 [[mare]]s and Baldewijn - and in 1982 formed a private association. In 1985 this association, called simply "The Groningen Horse", was recognized by Royal Decree and by the [[European Union]] 10 years later. [[Ostfriesen/Alt-Oldenburger|Alt-Oldenburg/East Friesian]], Silesian, East-German, and Holsteiner horses of the appropriate type were used to re-establish the Groningen, as well as one [[Cleveland Bay]] stallion.<ref name=Stars/> Today there are 25 approved stallions and over 400 mares. ==Characteristics== [[Image:Groningenkeuring.jpg|thumb|left|Inspection of Groningen stallions, 1920]] The Groningen standard calls for a [[Equine conformation|correct horse]]; heavy, with the legs about half the horse's height, and a rectangular frame, with the body from point-of-shoulder to point-of-buttock about 10% greater than the height of the horse at the [[withers]]. The topline is level, muscular neck set on fairly high, and the loins and haunches are broad and powerful. The head is workman-like and the [[hooves]] large and sound. Ideally, the Groningen stands between 15.3 and 16.1 [[hand (length)|hands]] high at the withers.<ref name="Association">a</ref> In [[Horse gait|motion]], the walk is diligent with a long stride, the trot is brisk and economical with some action, and the canter is of sufficient quality. The canter was not of great importance to the breeders, who did not have need for a heavy galloping horse, and so this gait is not as strong or expressive as the trot. Groningens are known for their even temperaments, though they are seldom spiritless. They are described as "sober" with a tremendous work ethic.<ref name="Association">b</ref> [[Equine coat color|Dark colors]] predominate in the Groningen: almost 90% are [[Black (horse)|black]] or some shade of [[Bay (horse)|bay]]. <ref name=color>{{cite journal |last=den Boer |first=Henk |year=2006 |month=June |title=De kleuren bij het Groninger paard |journal=Het Groninger Paard |pages=26–8 |url=http://www.hetgroningerpaard.nl/upload_bestanden/pdf/1_53_Microsoft%20Word%20-%20p.26-28,%20kleurvererving.pdf |accessdate= 2008-01-06 |quote= }}</ref> A small percentage are [[Chestnut (coat)|chestnut]] or [[Gray (horse)|grey]], and there are strains known for the [[sabino]] or [[tobiano]] pattern though [[Horse markings|minimally-marked]] horses are favored. Photographs and records show that [[silver dapple gene|silver dapple]] coloring was present as well, though it is not known if any examples of this color have survived to modern day. The Groningen is typically shown in a white [[bridle]] without a [[cavesson]], traditionally braided with contrasting white and green ribbons. [[Fillies]] are named as the breeder desires, while colts are named patrilineally (eg. Batavier by Bazalt). ==Uses== The Groningen is, above all "a family horse" <ref name="Association"/>. Their calm nature and low-maintenance constitutions make them ideal horses for leisure. They are quick to mature, sound, long-lived and easy keepers, and do not need to be worked every day to be enjoyed. Several Groningen horses, including [[studbook inspection|approved]] [[stallions]], compete in [[dressage]] at the Dutch national Z-level (about USDF 4th level) or higher, and some compete in [[show jumping]] above 4 feet as well, though this is less common. They have found their modern niche as [[combined driving]] horses, a sport in which many, including the stallion Meinhold, compete [[International Federation for Equestrian Sports|internationally]]. ==Medical issues== The greatest concern for the Groningen is [[inbreeding]]. As in other warmblood registries, stallions must undergo a veterinary examination before they are allowed to breed. In consequence, the breed is sound, long-lived, and thrifty. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{nl}}[http://www.hetgroningerpaard.nl The Groningen Horse Association] *[http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Animals/Mammals/Odd-toed-Hoofed-Mammals/Horses-and-Relatives/Domestic-Horse/Light-Horses/Groningen/index.html dkimages gallery] *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLX6sZzP86U Video, Groningen horses in a driving class] *[http://www.fambo.nl/ Videos (flash, under "K"), modern Groningen in motion] {{Equidae}} [[Category:Animal breeds originating in the Netherlands]] [[Category:Horse breeds]] [[de:Groninger]] [[nl:Groninger paard]] [[pl:Groningen (rasa konia)]] [[sv:Groningen (häst)]]