The Pfalz-ardenner (Pfalz-Ardenner Kaltblut in German) is a breed of medium-sized draft horse from the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. As its name implies, it derives from the cross-border Ardennais breed, based on crossings between French, Belgian, and, to a lesser extent, Bavarian draft horses. Its studbook was created in 1906 and accepted numerous crosses from the beginning. Motorized farming threatened to exterminate the breed in the 1970s.
 Pfalz-Ardenner of chestnut color at Tiergarten in Worms. | |
| Conservation status | Endangered |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Use | Combined driving, drafting, leisure, meat |
| Traits | |
| Height |
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| Color | Generally bay, chestnut or black |
Having dwindled to 25 in 2015, it is considered a rare and endangered breed. Its preservation is the subject of publications and initiatives in Germany. The studbook still accepts crosses with other draft horse breeds, and a horse resulting from such a cross may be considered a Pfalz-ardener if it meets the breeding guidelines and one of its two parents is a Pfalz-ardener.
History edit
The Pfalz-Ardenner is a relatively young breed, derived from the Ardennais,[1]: 495 as its name suggests. In the DAD-IS database, this breed is listed as Pfalz-Ardenner Kaltblut.
While the origins of the Ardennais can be traced back to the 17th century,[1]: 495 the German breed is more specifically derived from various crosses between French and Belgian draft horses, undertaken at the beginning of the 20th century[2]: 217 in southwest Germany.
French Ardennais horses were the most important influence,[3]: 14 but some Comtois were also crossed with Rhineland and Bavarian draft horses. Then, in 1896, a breeding cooperative was formed and ten years later, in 1906, a studbook was established based on imports of Ardennais horses from Alsace and Lorraine in France, with a small contribution of Bavarian horses.[1]: 495 [4]: 2
The Pfalz-Ardenner studbook has always been very open, accepting a large number of horses in crossbreeding. With the motorization of farming, the breed was threatened with extinction in the 1970s.[2]: 217
Until the 2010s,[3]: 13 the Pfalz-ardenner was never considered a breed in its own right. Since then, a handful of breeders in the Rhineland-Palatinate-Saarland region have dedicated themselves to its preservation.
Description edit
CAB International[1]: 495 and the Delachaux[2]: 217 guide indicate an average height of 1.52 m to 1.62 m, which is according to the breed's studbook regulations.[4]: 2 DAD-IS gives an average height of 1.57 m for females and 1.60 m for males. The weight is between 700 and 800 kg, making it a medium draught horse.[5] However, this weight can increase to 1,000 kg. Life expectancy is about 25 years.
Morphology and coat edit
The head is rather small, with a broad forehead and short ears.[2]: 217 The chest is broad and the croup is muscular.[2]: 217 The body should be of medium thickness for a draft horse, with a deep girth.[4]: 2 The feet should be sturdy.[4]: 2
All colors are permitted,[1]: 495 but the most common, according to the Delachaux guide, are bay, chestnut, black, gray, and roan.[2]: 217 However, roan is not listed among the coats found in the breed's studbook (2015).[4]: 2
Selection edit
Since 2008, the studbook has officially accepted Ardennais, Breton, Comtois, South German, Rhineland, and Swedish Ardennais horses[4]: 3 for crossbreeding, provided the other parent is a registered Pfalz-Ardenner.[4]: 3
If the crossbreed horse meets the breeding objectives, then it is registered in the studbook of its breed.[4]: 4 The goal is to maintain the selection of a versatile, medium-weight draft horse. Subjects must be able to work in all three gaits[4]: 2 and are tested for pulling ability,[4]: 9, 12 among other things.
Selection is based on character, favoring horses that are gentle, versatile, well-balanced, and suitable for recreational activities.[4]: 3
Stallions can be approved for breeding at the age of three, subject to evaluation.[4]: 5 The same applies to mares.[4]: 6 Horses belonging to the breed have a suffix to their name that is specific to the breeding farm of origin.[4]: 15
Uses edit
In the past, the breed was valued for its versatility. The breed was originally intended for use in agriculture and as a skidding horse, but motorization has greatly reduced these activities.[1]: 495 [2]: 217
Combined driving, skidding (and other agricultural and forestry work), and pleasure riding[1]: 495 [2]: 217 [4]: 2 are the uses of the Pfalz-ardenner today. It can still be used in heavy traction work, but it is also bred for meat production.
Breeding dissemination edit
The Pfalz-Ardenner is bred primarily in southwestern Germany, in the Rhineland-Palatinate.[1]: 495
In 2015, the registered population was extremely small, with 25 animals, including 22 mares and 3 stallions.
The breed is listed as endangered by DAD-IS (2018) and it is on the Red List of endangered indigenous breeds in Germany (Rote Liste der bedrohten einheimischen Nutztierrassen).[6]: 17 Locally it is classified as an "endangered population" (Phänotypische Erhaltungspopulation: vom Aussterben bedroht)[3]: 15 because there are less than 50 individuals.
Despite these very low numbers, the situation of the Pfalz-Ardenner is actively monitored in Germany, with H. Haring stating in 2005 that "the conservation of this breed group (German draft horses) can be considered secured".[7]
Taking into account crossbreeds, the Pfalz-Ardenner breeding population in the cradle of breeding in 2015 was about 60 mares and 8 stallions.[4]: 3 This breed is also eligible for financial aid for the preservation of endangered breeds (2015).[8]
Pfalz-Ardenner polulations have been rising.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Élise Rousseau, Yann Le Bris, Teresa Lavender Fagan (2017). Horses of the World. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691167206.
- ^ a b c Peter Herold, Jutta Jung und Reinhard Scharnhölz (2009). Arbeitspferde im Naturschutz (in Gernan). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz. Accessed June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p [s.n.] (2015). Ursprungszuchtbuch Pfalz Ardenner Kaltblut (in German). Standenbühl: Pferdezuchtverbandes Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar e.V. Accessed June 2024.
- ^ Wirth, Julia. "Pferde in der modernen Forstwirtschaf" (PDF) (in German).
- ^ Gotzmann, Inge; Kölzer, Daniel (2011). Biologische Vielfalt – ein Thema für Heimatmuseen (in German). Bund Heimat und Umwelt in Deutschland. p. 17. ISBN 9783925374517.
- ^ Haring, H. (2005). Entwicklung, Stand und Perspektiven der Deutschen Pferdezucht (in German). Vol. 77. pp. 490–495.
- ^ "MBl. NRW. Ausgabe 2015 Nr. 12 vom 15.5.2015 Seite 273 bis 298 | RECHT.NRW.DE". recht.nrw.de (in German).
- ^ Stolz, Viola (2008). Untersuchungen zur Situation der Pferdereproduktionsmedizin in Deutschland (doctoralThesis thesis) (in German).
Further reading edit
- Hartmann, Otto (2006). Pferdezucht (in German). Eugen Ulmer KG. ISBN 978-3-8001-4861-5.
- Rousseau, Élise (2016). Guide des chevaux d'Europe (in French). Illustrated by Yann Le Bris. Delachaux et Niestlé. p. 512. ISBN 978-2603024379.