Breeding of the Belgian Warmblood was begun in 1937, from foundation stock that included Gelderlanders from Holland, Hanoverians from Germany and Norman stock from France.[4]: 444 It was initially bred as an agricultural riding horse, as in the northern or Flemish-speaking part of Belgium the breeding of saddle horses was restricted to protect breeding of the Belgian Draught or Brabant heavy horse.[2] After this restriction was lifted in 1954, a breed society, the Fokvereninging van het Landbourijpaard, was formed; a stud-book was opened in 1955.[4]: 444 In 1953 the first stallion show took place, illegally, with three stallions.[2]
The stud-book grew rapidly; in 2004 approximately 3500mares were covered by approved Belgian Warmblood stallions.[5]
The horses vary in size and substance; heights are usually in the range 162–173 cm at the withers.[4]: 444
As with other European warmbloods, stallion registration is subject to rigorous studbook selection. Stallions three or four years old may be entered for the Hengstenkeuring or stallion test, which lasts for several days and includes a veterinary inspection, a conformation inspection, and tests of jumping ability both with and without a rider.[5] To retain status in the stud book, stallions must compete in the Klassieke Cyclus (classic cycle) of show-jumping contests.[5] Optional tests are available for mares, of conformation and free jumping ability.[5]
These are the horse breeds considered to originate wholly or partly in Belgium and Luxembourg. Many have complex or obscure histories, so inclusion here does not necessarily imply that a breed is predominantly or exclusively from those countries.
