Horse Breeds: Abtenauer

If you're looking for a draft horse that is smaller than most others, you might be looking for the Abtenauer. Not a lot is known about these adorable draft horses because there isn't really an official registry for them. We don't even know how many there are today. But their bloodlines are incredibly pure because of their geographic isolation. They are almost never seen outside their region of origin, the Abtenau Valley in Austria.

We don't even really know where the Abtenauer comes from. It's thought to be descended from Greek military mounts that were left in the region when they were no longer needed, but this is speculation at best. All we know is that they have been in the Abtenau Valley for centuries. It's not expected that we'll ever know much more than that.

Standing only about 15 hands high, the Abtenauer is small for a draft horse. They're beautifully built and are incredibly graceful. Their low center of gravity means they have astounding balance and are not easily ruffled. Their sweet disposition makes them a great companion horse, especially for younger people. 

Unlike some other draft horses, the Abtenauer is born with a curly coat. Foals loose this coat as they mature. Typical colors for this breed are roan, black, and chestnut. Leopard spotting sometimes happens but is not desirable.

This undemanding breed is great for both agricultural work and as a pleasant companion.