Erlenbach horse
The Erlenbach horse, or Simmental horse, is an ancient light horse breed from the Erlenbach im Simmental region of Switzerland. Known since the 18th century, when the annual market sale of 10,000 horses brought in considerable revenue, the breed suffered a long decline in the following century, mainly due to the introduction of railroads. It probably disappeared during the 20th century, as breeders turned to cattle breeding. This elegant black-colored saddle horse, rather late in life and of medium size, is reputed to be well conformed, with strong, muscular limbs. It is much appreciated by the Bernese cavalry, who use it extensively for remounting, not least because its coat matches the soldiers' uniforms. It is also used as a saddle horse and as a luxurious carriage. Breeding takes place mainly in the Simmental region and near Saanen.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an Erlenbach horse
Finding a responsible Erlenbach horse breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells horses commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Erlenbach horse. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Erlenbach horses appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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