This strong and agile heavy horse is descended from the Austrian Noriker, which was introduced into Bavaria, in southren Germany. Towards the end of the nineteenth century. With a view to improving and developing thier own stamp of horse, breeders in Upper Bavaria added some Holstein and Oldenburg and Cleveland Bey to Clydesdale and Belgian Draft. In time, however, German breeders reverted to using the original Noriker blood for upgrading purposes.

Originally called the Pinzgauer Noriker, after the region in Salzburg province from which the particular strain of the Austrian heavy horse came, the German version of the breed became known as the South German Heavy Horse.

The Height for the South German is around 15.3hh, colours are brown, bay and chestnut. It has a rather large head, with kind eyes; short, strong neck; powerful shoulders; strong back with deep grith; good limbs with a little feather.

Today it is bred mainly in Bavaria and Baden Wurtemburg. It still resembles the Noriker, although it is inclined to stand a little less tall. It is a well-proportioned horse, with a calm, docile temperament, and can be seen in parades and at shows as well as occasionally, at work in agriculture.

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