Westphalian
willing to perform, easy-going, level-headed
Origin
Westphalia, Germany
Withers height
158–172 cm
Show jumpingDressageEventing
Traits & strengths
- ✦one of the world's most successful show jumping breeding programmes
- ✦high rideability and willingness to train — suitable for amateurs too
- ✦elastic movement with pronounced push from the hindquarters
- ✦very broad stallion selection through the Warendorf state stud
Breed-typical predispositions
OCD (osteochondrosis)
Disease →hereditary component; X-ray screening established at licensing and auction
WFFS (Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome)
Disease →recessive (PLOD1) — only homozygous foals are affected; carrier test before mating
Kissing spines
Disease →more frequently described in long-backed sport horses — back training and saddle checks are the levers
Latest findings
Genomic breeding values for health
ongoingThe Westphalian studbook integrates genomic breeding values; radiographic findings from licensing and auctions feed into selection.
Source · Westfälisches Pferdestammbuch / FN
WFFS carrier frequency in warmblood breeding
2019Surveys in German warmblood populations show carrier rates in the low double-digit percentage range — carriers are healthy, only carrier-to-carrier matings must be avoided.
Source · Warmblood population WFFS screening