Intro
Also called KWPN Tuigpaard, the Dutch Harness is a type of KWPN, but in a dedicated branch fir harness animals. This breed is distinctive among warmbloods for their high, flashy action.
Origins
These animals were originally used on farms for field work, and also as status symbols by the farmers on town visits. This pride in the animal has persisted in the Dutch communities and created excellent breeding conditions for this unique animal.
As the onslaught of mechanization made farm horses a thing of the past, many of those same farmers took their love of the animal into the show ring. A select few of the farmers and breeders concentrated their efforts on perfecting a carriage type saddle horse.
In 2006 the KWPN registry established four different types and the riding or warmblood type were subdivided into two types, dressage and jumping. Together they make up around 85-90% of the registry. The rarer harness and Gelderland making up the rest.
Features
Average height 16.2 hands
Physique
Head is expressive and tends to be narrow & dry
Neck is set high
Shoulders are long and powerful
Back is long
Tail is high set
Traditional Colors
All colors
Temperament
Good tempered and willing to work
Use
Riding horse
Carriage horse
Competition horse
Helpful Links
* all links open in a new window
KWPN Studbook
American Dutch Harness Horse Association
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