Last Updated on February 19, 2022 by Allison Price
Did you know that horses are “cold-blooded?” What does it mean if someone at your barn says a horse is a warmblood? The designations are confusing because all horses are mammals and therefore are physiologically warm-blooded.
These terms are informal and used to loosely group different breeds based on their temperament. Because they are more energetic and nervous than other horses, Thoroughbred and Arabian horses often fall under the hot-blooded category. The draft horses include Percherons and Shires as well as Clydesdales and Belgians. These horses are large-boned and strong-bodied and were created for agricultural and draft work. They also have a calm temperament.
By crossing cold-blooded and hot-blooded horses, warm-blooded breeds of horse were created. These horses could be used to ride, draw wagons or carriages in many countries. The Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian and Holsteiner horses, as well as the Trakhener horses, are more calm than Thoroughbreds. However, they can move faster than heavier draft breeds. Warmbloods are a popular choice in many disciplines, including dressage driving and eventing.
