The Knabstrupper (properly pronounced as "Kah-nob-strooper") is a rare breed with a long and enduring history. From the royal stud to circus performers, this breed has been around for hundreds of years and is a breed that was almost lost. Relative of the Frederiksborg Horse (major contributor to the breed's founding), as well as to the endangered Lipizzaner (the foundation stallion, Pluto, was a Knabstrupper), the original Knabstrupper was Baroque in type.
There are only a few hundred Knabstruppers residing in North America, and less than 2,500 Knabstruppers worldwide [which is little more than the number of Lipizzans that reside in just the United States alone!].
— And unlike their relatives, there are virtually no purebred specimens of Knabstruppers left in the world.—
There are only a few hundred Knabstruppers residing in North America, and less than 2,500 Knabstruppers worldwide [which is little more than the number of Lipizzans that reside in just the United States alone!].
— And unlike their relatives, there are virtually no purebred specimens of Knabstruppers left in the world.—
Breed History
Spotted horses were bred in Denmark as long ago as 1671, when there was a very popular stud called “The Tiger Horses”. At this time the spotted horses were almost solely for the use of the royalty and nobility. Fewspot or 'white born' horses were used as carriage horses and were also used as the mount of the monarch in Coronation ceremonies. Spotted, as well as fewspot, horses were used in the Court riding academy of Christiansborg Castle and proved themselves well not only as a classical riding horse, but in driving as well. Unfortunately, after a peak in production and quality in 1750, this Royal breeding line came to a sad demise as the colour disappeared (this was likely to be due to the grey gene).
In 1812 spotted horses returned to Denmark. Villars Lunn, owner of the “Knabstrupgaard”, a manor situated in Holbæk, Nordsealand, bought a mare from a butcher named Flæbe. The mare was also called Flæbe. The mare was probably of Spanish origin, but she had the stamp of an English hunter type. The butcher had bought the mare from a Spanish cavalry officer stationed in Denmark during the Napoleonic wars.
Flaebe was dark red (Danish = Zobelfuchs) with white mane and tail, and her body was covered extensively with small white snowflakes. She also had brown spots on her white blanket. She was a quality horse, with exquisite beauty. She was used as a workhorse and also proved to be very rugged. All of Flæbe's progeny displayed fantastic spotted color, not once did she give birth to a solid foal, even to a solid stallion. Flæbe was once covered by a chestnut Frederiksborg stallion, and the colt foal she had as a result of this in 1813, was named the Flæbestallion. Flæbestallion also had an unusual coat color and was often described as having a special metallic glow with many different colors in his coat. It was this colt, Flæbestallion, that was the foundation sire for the new spotted breed. As a result of his birth, Flæbe became the “breed mother” of the Knabstrupper horse. There is great speculation and much disagreement regarding the origins of the Flæbe mare. One possible theory is that she originated from Meklenbourg in Germany, where the Spanish were stationed before they came to Denmark. Another theory is that she travelled with the Spanish all the way from Cordoba in Spain. |
One of the requirements of horses used for breeding at the Knabstrupgaard was good performance. Horses had to have shown great stamina and good temperament under heavy work loads. For horses at that time, that often meant being ridden or driven for long hours over rough terrain. The Flæbe mare was in service at Knabstrupgaard as a light workhorse (carriage driving as well as farm work) from May 1812.
Flæbe was once covered by a chestnut Frederiksborg stallion, and the colt foal she had as a result of this in 1813, was named the Flæbestallion. It was this colt, Flæbestallion, that was the foundation sire for the new spotted breed. As a result of his birth, Flæbe became the “breed mother” of the Knabstrupper horse. Flæbestallion also had an unusual coat color and was often described as having a special metallic glow with many different colors in his coat. Another colt out of Flæbe was Mikkel, born in 1818. He was by his half brother the Flæbestallion. The races that Mikkel won were seen by many people and gave the Knabstrupper horse the reputation of being a latter day “performance horse” of great stamina and capacity. Mikkel is probably the most famous horse in the history of the Knabstrupper breed.
At that time the Knabstrupper horses were known for their liveliness and energetic action, but they were not temperamental. They had no malicious tendencies or vices. They were never housed in stalls and were mostly kept outside, which explains their hardiness and reputation for being 'good doers'. Knabstrupper horses lived, and still live in modern times, to very great ages.
Flæbe was once covered by a chestnut Frederiksborg stallion, and the colt foal she had as a result of this in 1813, was named the Flæbestallion. It was this colt, Flæbestallion, that was the foundation sire for the new spotted breed. As a result of his birth, Flæbe became the “breed mother” of the Knabstrupper horse. Flæbestallion also had an unusual coat color and was often described as having a special metallic glow with many different colors in his coat. Another colt out of Flæbe was Mikkel, born in 1818. He was by his half brother the Flæbestallion. The races that Mikkel won were seen by many people and gave the Knabstrupper horse the reputation of being a latter day “performance horse” of great stamina and capacity. Mikkel is probably the most famous horse in the history of the Knabstrupper breed.
At that time the Knabstrupper horses were known for their liveliness and energetic action, but they were not temperamental. They had no malicious tendencies or vices. They were never housed in stalls and were mostly kept outside, which explains their hardiness and reputation for being 'good doers'. Knabstrupper horses lived, and still live in modern times, to very great ages.
Danish officers often used Knabstrupper horses as mounts during the war 1848-1850 (Schleswig war). Unfortunately, because of their eye-catching colour, they we easy targets for enemy snipers.
During the 1870s, there began an unavoidable demise at the Knabstrupgaard stables. At the Lunn family stable, the herd maintained between 40 and 50 spotted horses at the time between the two Schleswig-wars, all descendants of Flæbe. This inbreeding caused great difficulties in retaining color and quality, and the breed vitality began to deteriorate. 22 Knabstrupper horses were killed during a fire in 1891, and it was this fire (combined with the problems of inbreeding) that further caused the numbers and profile of the breed to recede.
Though those horses of the Knabstrupgaard stables met their demise, they left a great legacy on horse breeding across the whole of Denmark. Breeders began crossing to horses of Knabstrupper parentage, and a new lineage of spotted horses was nurtured. Still known by the same name today, Knabstrupper horses are in great demand and the breed is ever popular with riders and drivers alike. They were also popular as a circus horses, and in this capacity, the breed travelled all over the world. Breeders began outcrossing to horses of Knabstrupper parentage, and a new lineage of spotted horses was nurtured.
During the 1870s, there began an unavoidable demise at the Knabstrupgaard stables. At the Lunn family stable, the herd maintained between 40 and 50 spotted horses at the time between the two Schleswig-wars, all descendants of Flæbe. This inbreeding caused great difficulties in retaining color and quality, and the breed vitality began to deteriorate. 22 Knabstrupper horses were killed during a fire in 1891, and it was this fire (combined with the problems of inbreeding) that further caused the numbers and profile of the breed to recede.
Though those horses of the Knabstrupgaard stables met their demise, they left a great legacy on horse breeding across the whole of Denmark. Breeders began crossing to horses of Knabstrupper parentage, and a new lineage of spotted horses was nurtured. Still known by the same name today, Knabstrupper horses are in great demand and the breed is ever popular with riders and drivers alike. They were also popular as a circus horses, and in this capacity, the breed travelled all over the world. Breeders began outcrossing to horses of Knabstrupper parentage, and a new lineage of spotted horses was nurtured.
The Knabstrupper Association (Knabstrupperforeningen for Danmark) was founded in 1971 and is the Motherbook for the breed. Still known by the same name today, Knabstrupper horses are in great demand and the breed is ever popular with riders and drivers alike. They are intelligent, high-spirited, energetic, not temperamental or malicious, and generally have no stable vices. One of the most highly prized characteristics of the Knabstrupper is their superb temperament which allows them to perform and excel in a variety of equestrian disciplines with children, adults, and even para-equestrians.
The breed's characteristic spots.... Just decorative icing on the already sweet cake!!!
|
Several Knabstrupper Stallions have participated and placed in international 30 & 70 day testing while going up against traditional warmblood breeds. For a breed with such small numbers, a significant number of Knabstruppers have achieved success at the FEI Para-Equestrian levels. At least two Knabstrupper stallions have gone on to win medals at the Paralympics, while yet another has gotten his rider to the Paralympic qualifiers as a short notice replacement. At the moment, the United States still doesn't have many Knabstruppers showing in the ring, but a handful of Knabstruppers are successfully competing at FEI levels in dressage.
These days, the Knabstrupper can be found in the Classic (Baroque/Iberian), Sports (lighter boned/Modern), Pony & Miniature types (though the latter has not been established here in America). They are versatile sport horses and their temperament, trainability, athleticism, and hardiness, make the breed an asset to amateur competitors and professionals alike.
|
Knabstruppers are the ideal horses suitable for an amateur rider with their easy natures, yet good enough for a professional because of their ability. Due to their outstanding movements, which are powerful, yet easy to be controlled they are also used for therapeutic work. The breed is used not only for leisure and hobby riding but also for the most advanced equestrian disciplines including Dressage, Cross Country, Show Jumping, Hunt Seat, & Haute Ecole."
- Bent Branderup - Academic Art of Riding
In America
Currently there are less than 2,500 Knabstruppers in the world (and little more than a couple hundred here in North America). During the early days of the KNN (1970's), three Appaloosa studs were entered into the studbook, but they didn't like the color genetics that they introduced. And in the early days of trying to establish the breed here in America (early 2000's), a few breeders erroneously bred their Appaloosa mares to Knabstrupper studs. However, Appaloosas (and other stock type horses), Draft breeds, Greys, and Pinto's are not considered acceptable out-crosses. At the KNN's discretion, Knabstruppers presented with unacceptable pedigrees can be entered into a lower book if their scores meet the grading criteria, but without the Knabstrupper passport, such horses aren't considered Knabstruppers, and Knight Equine avoids such practices, and take 3 generations of Knabstrupper breeding for the resulting progeny to enter the mainbook of the Knabstrupper registry.