The Zweibrücken State Stud has been evacuated again and again in its history: from revolutionary troops, to Fontainebleau, in two world wars. Nevertheless, there are still stallions there today, and the name Zweibrücker stands for a long breeding tradition in the Palatinate.
| Type | Warmblood, riding horse |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany (Palatinate, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland) |
| Breeding association | today stud book German sport horse, among others. Rhineland-Palatinate-Saar Horse Breeding Association |
| Stock size | German sport horse: around an average of 165 cm |
| Colors | German sport horse: all colors |
| Usage | Riding purposes of all kinds, dressage, jumping, leisure |
Origin and history
In 1755, Duke Christian IV of Zweibrücken founded the state stud and thus laid the foundation for the orderly breeding of the Zweibrücken horse, as the Zweibrücken state stud describes it. In 1793 the stud farm had to be evacuated from French revolutionary troops, and in 1806 Napoleon rebuilt it. In 1814 there was another evacuation to Fontainebleau near Paris.
From 1890 it was called the Bavarian State and Main Stud Zweibrücken. There were further evacuations in 1918, 1939 and 1944, including to the Bavarian Stud Farms Schwaiganger and Achselschwang. In 2007, the Zweibrücken State Stud Foundation took over the previously state stud farm, and since 2008 it has been run by a GmbH. According to its own information, the stud farm has produced four horse breeds over the course of its history.
The Zweibrücken riding horse no longer exists as its own stud book. According to the breeding program, it has been included in the German Sport Horse breed book, together with the Württemberger and the Bavarian Warmblood, among others. His registered breeding animals are listed there with equal status.
Exterior
For the German sport horse, the breeding program specifies a size around an average height of 165 cm and all colors. A noble, long-lined, correct, healthy and fertile horse with energetic, expansive, elastic movements is bred. A horse with Zweibrücken ancestry therefore usually looks like a modern German riding horse today. Only the pedigree shows how strongly the old Zweibrücken blood is still represented in individual cases.
Character (interior)
The frame breeding goal describes a horse that is suitable for all types of riding purposes due to its temperament, character and rideability. What you experience with the individual horse depends largely on his line and training. A young sport horse with a lot of urge to move needs a different rider than a trained leisure horse. Have the horse show you under the saddle and how to handle it before you decide.
Keeping and feeding
Like any modern riding horse, a Zweibrücker needs daily work, free movement on pasture or paddock and contact with other horses. The ration is based on roughage, with concentrated feed added in the amount required by training and body condition. When rearing young horses, they benefit from a lot of consistent exercise in the group.
Health
Laboklin offers a genetic test for Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) and specifically lists the Zweibrücken horse among the breeds. This recessively inherited weak connective tissue leads to extremely brittle skin and hyperextensible joints in affected foals; Abortions and premature births have also been described. Carriers are healthy themselves, but the test is important for mating.
We have not found any specific data on hereditary diseases in Zweibrücken horses. When buying a sport horse, a purchase examination with x-rays is included.
Who is the Zweibrücken horse suitable for?
For riders who are looking for a rideable warmblood for dressage, jumping or demanding leisure activities, and for breeders to whom the tradition of the Zweibrücken State Stud means something.
For whom not?
For everyone who expects a clearly defined, uniform breed type. And for beginner riders who want to buy a young, inexperienced sport horse.
Furthermore: You can calculate how much a horse really costs per month with our Horse Cost Calculator, and before you buy the Horse Buying Checklist will help you. You can find ideas for the stable name in our horse names, and your own horse is available as a horse portrait from your own photo.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Zweibrücken still exist? No longer as a separate breeding book. The Zweibrücken riding horse has been included in the studbook of the German Sport Horse breed.
When was the Zweibrücken State Stud founded? In 1755 by Duke Christian IV of Zweibrücken.
How tall is a Zweibrücker today? For the German sport horse, the breeding program specifies a height around an average height of 165 cm.
Read more
Quellen, abgerufen am 05.11.2026: Landgestüt Zweibrücken: Über uns und Historie des Landgestüts; Pferdezuchtverband Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar: Zuchtprogramm Deutsches Sportpferd (2025); Pferdezuchtverband Baden-Württemberg: Zuchtprogramm Deutsches Sportpferd (Beschluss 06.06.2025); Laboklin: Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS).
