Warlander horse |
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| Distinguishing features | Powerful build[1] |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Destrier, Andalusian-Friesian |
| Breed standards | |
| BZKS | Breed standards |
| ANCCE (Andalusian progenitor) | Breed standards |
| FPS (Frieisian progenitor) | Breed standards |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
The Warlander is a horse of Baroque type, produced by crossing Andalusian and Friesian breeds. The ideal Warlander combines the Andalusian's intelligence, facility for collection, flexibility, and powerful hindquarters, with the Friesian's tractability, dramatic leg action, "bone", and strong forequarters.[1]
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The crossing of Andalusian and Friesian horses to produce improved cavalry horses has a history going back to at least the sixteenth century,[2] though the term "Warlander" was coined only in the late twentieth century to reflect both the breed registry's claim that this cross was historically used as a war horse and its origins from two very old equine horse breeds.[3]
Warlander breeders seek to augment the strongest and most desirable qualities of the Andalusian and Friesian breeds through the genetic heterosis created by combining two purebred lines. Another goal is to address concerns related to inbreeding depression that may exist in progenitor lines as a result of having closed genetic stock.[4][5] Because of this, significant debate exists over whether a Warlander will only obtain genetic benefit if it is an F1 hybrid.[6] A crossbred animal is likely to enjoy hybrid vigor and therefore have genetic gains over both of its parents.[6] However, there is uncertainty over whether an F2 horse - produced by a Warlander-Warlander, Warlander-Andalusian, or Warlander-Friesian pairing - would be likely to suffer from genetic atavism.[6] The statistically tiny number of F2 and subsequent generation Warlander horses bred internationally has meant empirical resolution of this question has not yet been possible.[6]
Although evidence of breeders utilizing the Andalusian-Friesian cross dates back 400 years, the Warlander has been a distinctly organized horse breed only since the 1990s.[3] The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) currently does not recognize competition horses classed as Warlanders,[7] and no Warlander organizations are recognized by the global Universal Equine Life Number foundation or any national equestrian federation.[8] However, the Bavarian Specialist Breed Registry (Bayerischer Zuchtverband für Kleinpferde und Spezialpferderassen) has begun to house Warlander breed books. Warlander supporters are optimistic that this recognition opens the door to formalization of the breed within the European Union system.[9]
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