Westphalian Horse Museum, Munster

Nestled within Münster’s popular Allwetterzoo, the Westphalian Horse Museum offers visitors an unforgettable blend of cultural history, hands‑on exhibits, and live equine encounters. Spanning around 1,000 square meters of exhibition space, the museum delves into the natural and cultural history of horses in Westphalia, presenting everything from fossil ancestors to legendary stallions like Polydor, one of the most successful breeding stallions ever.

The permanent and temporary exhibits-located in a spacious hall attached to the zoo-feature interactive saddle stations where visitors can experience walking, trotting, and galloping motions, educational media displays illustrating human‑horse relationships through time, and authentic objects including mining ponies, riding equipment, and animations in immersive formats. From mid‑November through early April, the museum hosts Germany’s first annual showing of the “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London.

Adjacent to the indoor exhibits, the museum features the Arena Hippomaxx-a 540 square meter sand arena used for regular horse shows, events, and guided performances that give visitors a living sense of equine grace and athleticism. Complementing this is the Children’s Horse Park, where visitors can observe and interact with various breeds such as Dülmener wild horses, Icelandic horses, and Mongolian ponies, in a setting often shared with other friendly farm animals.

Open year‑round and fully wheelchair‑accessible, the museum’s entry is included in the zoo's admission price. Opening hours run daily-café, shop, and foyer facilities included-and guided tours are available by appointment for an enriched experience. Whether you’re an equestrian enthusiast or visiting with family, the Westphalian Horse Museum offers an engaging and educational highlight in Münster that marries tradition, science, and interactive fun.