The Rhenish-German draft horse (Rheinisch-Deutsches Kaltblut) originated in the 19th century through the crossbreeding of regional draft horse breeds. Important stud farms in Westphalia and the Rhineland bred it for heavy agricultural work. Robust, powerful, and good-natured (“Kaltblut” meaning “cold-blooded”), it was ideal for plowing, carting, and transporting loads. Today, the breed is rare, and conservation breeding protects its genetic diversity. At the LWL-Museum Hellerlecht, our draft horses pull covered wagons and vividly demonstrate to visitors how important these animals once were for agriculture and everyday life.
The Senner horse (Senner Pferd) is closely linked to the Princely House of Lippe and has shaped the cultural landscape of Senne for centuries. The Senner horse is robust, fertile, and versatile, and was formerly valued primarily as a hunting and farm horse. Twice nearly extinct, the breeding association for Senner and Beberbecker horses now ensures the survival of the breed. Three of the approximately 50 remaining Senner horses live in the LWL-Museum Hellerlecht.
