Question: Judging by Maximus' appearance and the fact "Tangled" is set in Germany, is Maximus a Hanoverian or a different German breed?
Rob Halliday
11th Oct 2016
Tangled (2010)
Answer: The Hanoverian breed of horse was first bred at the State Stud at Celle in Lower Saxony. This was established in 1735 by George II, who was both the King Of Great Britain and the "Elector" (or ruler) of the state of Hanover. But, while Tangled is set in a land that might have some resemblance to pre-modern Germany, it also appears take place much earlier than 1735. Therefore Maximus cannot truly be a Hanoverian. However, staff at the Celle State Stud used native German horses when breeding the first Hanoverians, so there might be a distant "family resemblance" between Maximus and the Hanoverian breed. Most (but not all) Hanoverians are dark coloured. Another thread in an earlier question about Tangled says the artists originally coloured Maximus black. However, Tangled is a fantasy film. Maximus can communicate with people in a much more meaningful way than any Hanoverian (or any other breed of horse). So maybe Tangled should not be regarded as wholly accurate in equine matters.
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Chosen answer: His breed has never been confirmed, but he does have enough similarities to a Hanoverian that it's possible that's what he is.