The annual studbook inspections for the Bavarian Warmblood are known by the Dutch word Keuring. When a mare is approved for breeding, then she is entered into one of two different studbooks. The main studbook is only for mares which are registered and are from a sport horse breed which is recognized. These include the Bavarian Warmblood, other European Warmbloods, Arabs, Thoroughbreds and other breeds which are non gaited and acknowledged by the Belgian Verband. The second studbook is known as the auxiliary studbook. This book contains mares that are selected, but are of breeds which are unrecognized or the pedigree is not verifiable. Regardless of which studbook the mare is placed in, they must be at least three years of age or older. They must also be over 15.1 hands and their pedigree must contain less than 25% draft horse breeding in order to be eligible for inspections and inclusion into either studbook. Belgium issues all of the papers for the studbooks.
During an official Keuring, a certified judge will look for specific things in the mares that are being evaluated. The mares will be judged on their movement, conformation, elasticity and overall general impression. They will be judged on the triangle at a trot as well as a walk. If a rider chooses to show their mare under a saddle, then they will have the opportunity for a ribbon. These ribbons are placed from first through sixth place. If the horse is accepted, then they will win a medal of merit. These medals are available in the Belgian Bronze, Belgian Silver or the highest honor of the Belgian Gold. There has been the implementation of an elite mare program. When presenting mares, it is advisable that they are presented before they have been bred by an approved stallion. This is not necessary, however. It is possible to present a mare that is in foal.
Foal must also pre presented to a Keuring jury. They must be presented and inspected during their birth year in order to be branded and registered. A foal will receive one of three different designations. They will receive the designation of accepted, second premium or first premium. They will then be registered in either the main foal book or the auxiliary foal book. This will only happen if both parents are entered into one of the two studbooks. If only one parent has been approved for breeding, then the foal may be issued a Certificate of Pedigree instead. A foal who has received a Certificate of Pedigree is not eligible to participate in the breeding program. The only exception is that of a filly. They may be presented at three years of age to be possibly included in the auxiliary studbook.
When the foal has reached the age of three years, they will return to be inspected for inclusion in the studbooks as breeding stock. Fillies who are approved at that time will go into the main studbook or the auxiliary studbook. This grants the mares the privilege to be used for breeding. Colts will need to pass specific testing in order to be included in the studbooks as stallions.
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