Home / Swedish Horses / Swiss Warmblood (Einsiedler)

By Maurice Gainsbourg

Last updated: 23rd March 2018

Swiss Warmblood (Einsiedler)

By

Maurice Gainsbourg
Last updated: 23rd March 2018

The Swiss Warmblood horse, also known as the Einsiedler, originated in Switzerland, and was named after the Benedictine Monastery of Einsiedeln, where it was first bred. These breeds form great cavalry horses and are also used for general riding, dressage and endurance sports.

Swiss Warmblood Pictures

Quick Information

Other Names Einsiedler, Swiss Half bred
Temperament and Personality Calm, gentle., willing, easy-to-train, loyal, fun loving, well-mannered, alert and intelligent
Physical Description Small head; straight and slightly convex profile; expressive ears; alert eyes; deep, well-muscled chest; prominent withers; sloping croup; long, hard legs; well-defined tendons; and short cannons
Lifespan 30 years
Colors Black, buckskin, dun, roan, champagne, perlino, cremello, grullo, brown, palomino, gray, chestnut, bay
What are they used for General riding, endurance riding, dressage, hunting
Weight 1500 pounds
Height (Size) 15.1 to 16.2 hands
Health No know breed specific health problems
Popular Traits
Diet (How much does a Belgian Draft horse eat) Hay and grain
Blood Type Warm blood
Developed in 10th century
Country of Origin Switzerland
Ancestors Anglo-Norman horse; Yorkshire Coach horse; Holsteiners

Swiss Warmblood Horse Video

History

Being found in the 10th century, the Swiss Warmblood or Einsiedler horse began to be bred and developed in the Benedictine Abbot of Einsiedeln, Switzerland from the native Schwyer stock. The official stud book for this breed first began in 1655 and with the increasing popularity a comprehensive stud book was further developed in the year 1784 by Father Isidor Moser. During the 19th century, an attempt was made in improving the quality of these horses for the purpose of which a Yorkshire Coach Horse and Anglo Norman mares were brought in. In fact, the bloodlines of the breed primarily comes from the Anglo Norman horses with the most prominent ones being “Ivoire”, “Orinate de Messil” and Que d’ Espair. Other horses having a profound influence on this breed include a Swedish Warmblood named Aladin along with two Holsteiner horses namely Chevalier and Astral. At present these horses possess a strongly built stature like the Anglo Norman breeds along with a nice conformation and sound athletic skills.

In the recent times the Einsiedler or Swedish Warmblood horse is bred and raised at the Federal Stud located in Avenches of Switzerland and branded with a Swiss cross for identification. In order to qualify for the breeding process they go through testing when they are three and a half as well as five years of age. In fact, in the course of the test they are required to qualify through dressage events, jumping, and riding. The mares on the other hand are tested at the age of three and are not eligible to be selected if their parents are not registered as half-breds.

Interesting Facts

  • When Sweden disbanded its cavalry after the second world war about five hundred of them were slaughtered while the remaining were sold off to the Government of Switzerland.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our newsletter

Loading