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Trakehner Horse - The Lightweight Warmblood

The Trakehner horse is a warmblood breed originating from Russia. Its natural elegance, willingness to work, and versatility have made it one of the most popular warmblood breeds in the world today.

They are referred to as the originators of European warmblood breeds. The Trakehner is recognized as a more lightweight warmblood, owing to its significant Thoroughbred and Arabian bloodlines. They are popular riding horses today for their hard work ethic and forward-thinking brains. They like to work and tend to be easier to train than other breeds. 

Trakehner History

Trakehner horses (Also referred to as Prussian Horses) were originally developed at the East Prussian state stud farm in East Prussia (Kaliningrad, Russia today).

Except for the brief utilization of foreign stallions in the initial stages (yielding minimal impact), the East Prussian horse breed has primarily evolved through the introduction of English Thoroughbreds and half-bred lineage, alongside purebred Arabians and, notably, half-bred stallions from the main stud at Trakehnen or those with ancestry tracing back to Trakehner blood. Hence, East Prussian breeders rightfully prefer to designate their horses as having 'Trakehner origin'. The breeding took place in the town of Trakehnen, where the breed got its name.

The Trakehner breed dates back to the early 18th century, when they were initially bred for the royal stud, but planned and uniform handling of breeding them did not start until 1787 when War Counsel v. Brauchitsch was elected the State Stud administrator of the Trakehnen stud. The main objection against the current breeding stock was that "they were not lean and strong-boned enough." Of 38 breeding stallions, 25 were found unsuitable, and the Trakehner mares were also very small (the smallest measured 14.1hh). Most of the breeding stock was also eliminated due to boxy hooves or having spavins. English and Arabian stallions were introduced in 1817 to refine and improve the breed. 

The Trakehner breed was used as military horses for the German armed forces during World War II. They were the preferred breed due to their athleticism, temperament, and versatility. The Trakehner horse has become one of the most popular breeds in Europe and the world today, especially for English disciplines such as Eventing and Dressage. 

Famous Trakehner Horses

The Trakehner Breed Excels in Showjumping, Eventing, and Dressage all around the world today.

team gold

  • Totilas, the most famous dressage horse of all time, sire Gribaldi, was a Trakehner stallion. Totilas 
  • Milton's, the most famous showjumper of all time,  Grandsire Marco Polo was a Trakehner.
  • Abdullah was a Trakehner stallion who was part of the very first US team to win a gold medal in show jumping and an individual silver in 1984

Trakehner Genetic Disorders

The American Trakehner Association States that "The specific genetic disorders we are currently confronting are Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA), Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome (SCID), and Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS), all recessive genetic diseases endemic in the Arabian breed"

The Trakehner is a closed studbook; hence, no new genetic disorders should be introduced going forward.

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