A fox with a bright look, a broad chest and a stride that stretches: This is how a Schleswig draft horse stands in front of the covered wagon while the wind whistles over the fields on the Schlei. It is not a giant among cold-blooded horses, but a compact workhorse from the north. And one that you rarely meet outside of your home country.
| Type | Coldblood, medium frame draft and driving horse |
|---|---|
| Origin | Schleswig-Holstein, especially the Schleswig region |
| Breeding association | Horse stud book Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg e.V. (original breeding book) |
| Stock size | Stallions 156 to 162 cm, mares 154 to 162 cm (target dimensions) |
| Other dimensions | Chest circumference 200 to 220 cm, cannon leg circumference 24 to 28 cm |
| Colors | mostly chestnut, also gray, black, brown |
| Usage | Agriculture and forestry, brewery horse, recreational driving, covered wagon, hobby riding |
Origin and history
The home of the breed is the northern part of Schleswig-Holstein. The original stud book is kept by the Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg horse stud book in Kiel, other associations only keep branch stud books according to its rules. Breeding is pure breeding, the breeding book is closed.
So that the small population is not genetically impoverished, selected related cold-blooded breeds may be used: the Jutish cold-blood from neighboring Denmark, the French Boulonnais and the South German cold-blood. An example shows how rare the breed is outside the north: there were exactly two mares in the branch stud book of the Rhineland-Palatinate-Saar Horse Breeding Association at the end of 2017.
Exterior
The breeding goal describes a harmonious, medium-framed draft horse with a dry, not too long head and lively, friendly eyes. A slightly curved nose line, the so-called Ram's head, is permitted. In addition, there is a strong neck, a deep chest, a well-arched rib and a slightly overbuilt croup, which is considered typical. Legs and hooves should be healthy and durable.
When walking, the Schleswiger should cover ground and walk in a clear rhythm, and when trotting, there should be a visible suspension phase. For a coldblood, this is a clear requirement for movement, not just mass.
Character (interior)
Calm, uncomplicated, sociable, willing to work and persistent: This is how the breeding program describes the desired character, with a balanced temperament. Gratitude for food is also expressly desired. This suits a horse that used to work all day on the farm and should now remain calm in front of the carriage even when there is hustle and bustle.
Keeping and feeding
Grateful for food means in everyday life: The Schleswiger gets by on little concentrated feed and quickly loses energy if it has too much energy. Good hay, regular exercise and a critical look at weight are more important than any additional ration. Our horse weight calculator helps you track changes over the months.
Robustness is part of the breeding goal; keeping with exercise and companionship is better suited to a workhorse than the box alone. Because the breeding program places particular emphasis on freedom from muck, it is worth taking a regular look at the fetlock on horses with pasterns, especially on muddy ground.
Health
The breeding program requires horses without genetic defects and good hoof health. Particular attention is paid to freedom from sweet itch (an allergy to bites from biting midges, Culicoides) as well as mud and rasp on the lower legs. Stallions are excluded from breeding if they have, among other things, cryptorchidism, periodic eye inflammation, stupid fever and throat wheezing.
There is an interesting observation regarding the muscle disease PSSM1, which is common in many cold-blooded breeds: In an international study by McCue and colleagues (2010), the mutation was not found in the Schleswig cold-blooded horses examined. But the authors emphasize that this does not prove that it is missing from the breed. A genetic test gives you certainty about your horse.
Who is the Schleswiger Coldblood suitable for?
For people who are looking for a quiet, handy coldblood for driving, for covered wagons or light forest and yard work. If you want to preserve a rare breed and enjoy a horse that likes to work, you've come to the right place.
Who is it not for?
For everyone who is looking for a sporty riding horse with a lot of drive for tournaments. Even if you expect a large selection when buying, you will find little on offer outside of Schleswig-Holstein and should allow time for your search.
You can calculate how much a horse actually costs per month using the Horse Cost Calculator. Before you buy, our horse buying checklist will help you, and you can find ideas for stable names in the horse names. If you want your own horse on the wall, take a look at our horse portraits from your own photo. You can find all breeds in comparison in the overview Horse Breeds.
Frequently asked questions
How tall does a Schleswig coldblood get? The breeding program specifies a target height of 156 to 162 cm for stallions and 154 to 162 cm for mares.
What color are Schleswig cold-blooded animals? Mostly fox. According to the breeding program, there are also gray, black and brown horses.
Do Schleswig cold-blooded animals have PSSM? In the study by McCue and colleagues (2010), the PSSM1 mutation was not detected in the Schleswig animals examined. This doesn't rule it out, a genetic test clarifies it for the individual horse.
Can you ride a Schleswig coldblood? Yes. In addition to agriculture, forestry and driving, the breeding program also mentions use as a hobby horse.
Read more
Quellen, abgerufen am 05.11.2026: Pferdezuchtverband Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar: Zuchtprogramm Schleswiger Kaltblut (Beschlussfassung August 2018); Pferdezuchtverband Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar: Besondere Bestimmungen Schleswiger Kaltblut, Beschluss der Delegiertenversammlung vom 22.04.2015; McCue ME et al.: Estimated prevalence of the Type 1 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy mutation in selected North American and European breeds, Animal Genetics 2010 (Zusammenfassung).
