Origin: Black Forest, Germany
Color: Most Black Forests are a dark chocolate color with a blond mane.
Avg Height: 14.3 to 15.3 hh
Avg Weight: 1350 to 1500 lbs
Build: A light, small horse. Very small, hard hooves. Small, elegant head with small ears, large eyes, and a fine muzzle. A long neck with a thick mane. A long shoulder with a compact round trunk with sufficient width but not too much depth. A board, well-defined and powerful croup.
Temperament: Durable and persistent with quick, energetic steps and a lively temper.
Main use: Forest work, farming, driving, riding.
Special abilities: Longevity, good in steep zones, frugal, robust, especially hard hooves. Potentially endangered breed.
History: In the middle ages this breed was called the Forest Horse, and was bred inconspicuously from the Noriker horses. It was bred for agility, robustness, and similarity among each particular horse. By crossing these horses with the a small Ardennes horse, this type strengthened. Different crossings brought about unsatisfactory results. In 1896 the breed began to be called the Black Forest Horse, the Black Forest Horse Breeding Cooperative was formed, breeding began to be regulated, and a studbook was created. The goal of the Black Forest breeders was a horse that was long-lived and powerful, but not heavy and bulky.
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