Members of the Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association are celebrating a March 24 federal government announcement that further defines the breed under the Animal Pedigree Act.
“We are now going to be able to maintain our international standards,” said CWHBA chair Chris Gould, a warmblood breeder from Mayerthorpe, Alta.
Though practices of the association won’t change as a result of new certification, Gould said it is significant in its ability to help protect the integrity of the warmblood breed.
“We have clarity on open access to the animals that we need in the genetic pool.”
Under the Animal Pedigree Act, only one breed association can be incorporated for each distinct or developing breed. Warmbloods are indigenous to western Europe and spread worldwide over hundreds of years.
Among the best known German warmbloods are Hanoverians, Holsteiners and Oldenburgs.
