Horse
Pronunciation:
Rawt-tayl'-er
Breed Description:
The Rottaler breed of horse is a rare warmblood breed, developed in Bavaria over many centuries. Rottalers are similar to other warmbloods breeds, although due to frequent infusions of Arab horses, they have a somewhat more refined appearance. They are excellent riding and driving horses, and some show a potential in dressage and jumping. They are known as a good choice for vaulting horses because of their excellent temperaments.
Temperament:
The Rottaler breed of horse, like most warmbloods, has an energetic manner suitable for competition but a trainable and co-operative temperament.
Height:
The Rottaler breed of horse
Weight:
The Rottaler breed of horse
Health Problems:
The Rottaler breed of horse
Living Conditions:
The Rottaler breed of horse is a sport horse and prefers stabling in harsh weather.
Exercise:
The Rottaler breed of horse is a competition breed and requires regular exercise and training.
Life Expectancy:
The Rottaler breed of horse lives into its late twenties.
Grooming:
The Rottaler breed of horse should be shown in accordance with its competitive discipline, and like most competition breeds it requires regular grooming.
Origin:
The Rottaler breed of horse originates from the Rott valley of Bavaria, and was used as the foundation for the Bavarian Warmblood. Organized breeding dates back to 1558, when the first duke, Albrecht IV, imported popular Neapolitan and Spanish stallions. As a result of highly organized breeding efforts - the earliest examples of warmblood livestock evaluations and prizes or "premiums" were offered for Rottaler horses - by the 1800s the Rottaler had earned recognition across Europe.
Throughout the 19th century, Anglo-Norman, Cleveland Bay and Oldenburg horses were imported to develop the Rottaler, and by 1906 the Rottaler Warmblood Horse Breeding Association was formed. In 1963, the breeding aim was redirected towards the production of horses for sport and competition. Rottaler horses were crossed with Hanoverians and Westphalians, and over successive generations, and the breed was very nearly completely assimilated into other warmblood breeds. It wasn't until 1991 that the Rottaler was re-established within the Bavarian association, although there were very few distinctly Rottaler horses left.
Even today there are only a few Rottalers but about 20 breeders in Bavaria are actively preserving the breed and working to reestablish the Rottaler. 