Some breeds have a more aristocratic beginning than others. The Lipizzan is one of them. Sometimes called the Lipizzaner, this elegant breed has its roots in the time when Spanish-bred horses were considered perfect cavalry mount, especially in Austria. Because just about any Spanish-bred horse was prized, several came together to form the Lipizzan as the breed emerged. Let us not forget, however, that there is certainly some Arabian blood in this brilliant mount.
In 1562, Maximillian II brought several Spanish horses to the Austrian court and founded a stud at Kladrub. All were lovely. His brother, Archduke Charles II, created a similar studfarm at Lipizza in 1580. It was at Lipizza, which lies near the Adriatic Sea, where the breed finally started to flourish, mostly because of the introduction of the native Karst horses to the Lipizza and Kladrub bloodlines. So it should come as no surprise that the Lipizzan was named after this picturesque location.
Though the Lipizzan was named after Lipizza, Kladrub produced two of the foundation sires for the Lipizzan breed. Maestoso and Favory were Kladrub horses, while Conversano, Neapolitano, Pluto, and Siglavy all came from Lipizza. Today, these six horses are considered the foundation for the entire Lipizzaner breed.
If there is one horse that was bred for grace and power, it is the Lipizzan. They are the very picture of the perfect dressage horse because they were specifically bred for it. This may seem odd, especially since the Lipizzan was originally a cavalry horse, but consider the history of dressage for a moment. Dressage began as a way to train cavalry mounts in the finer points of high movements and collection. Since this is what the Lipizzans were bred for, they are naturally better at it than most other breeds.
Standing from 14.3 to 15.3 hands high, the Lipizzan is not actually white. Instead they are genetically grey. They are all born a brown or dark grey, but this gradually lightens until they reach have their 'white' coat at between 5 and 10 years of age. The 'white' horse is the most common color in the breed, mostly because the Austrian nobility preferred white horses and so selectively bred for that color, but the occasional bay or black adult does appear. Two hundred years ago there were Lipizzans of all colors, but this is almost unheard of now.
An ancient but relatively rare breed, The Lipizzaner is agile, lovely, and sweet. Registries around the world, such as Lipizzan Association of North America, are engaged in protecting and promoting this elegant breed so that future generations will get to enjoy them.
Back in 1812 Major Villas Lunn, who resided in Nordsealand, Denmark at the time, put a Fredricksborg stallion to a chestnut blanketed mare (who may have been of Spanish breeding). The resulting colt was colorful and spotted. He would be the foundation for what would eventually become the Knabstrupper.
This unique breed was once favored by kings and dukes across Europe. Frequently used for festivals and pleasure pursuits, the cavalry eventually started using them in Denmark for officer's horses. They were even used in breeding programs on the continent and beyond. One of the founding stallions of the Lipizzaner was a Knabstrupper by the name of Pluto. The end of World War II saw the Knabstrupper used in circus shows throughout the world.
Though the most popular pattern for a Knabstrupper is certainly the full leopard, which involves a full white background covered with bay, black, or chestnut spots, there are other acceptable patterns as well. These include the blanket, the snowcap, and the snowflake. There is also a pattern called the few spot, which is a horse that is almost solid white. When bred, the few spot always produces a spotted foal of some kind.
Standing from 15.2 to 16 hands high, the Knabstrupper actually has three varieties. The Baroque is the traditional horse; it reminds many of old circus horses because many old circus horses were indeed Knabstruppers. The Sport Knabstrupper resulted from a cross with European warmbloods and excels in all of the English sports. The Knabstrupper Pony is just a smaller version of the Baroque and is often used as a children's mount. All of these have great personalities.
Today, the Knabstrupper is primarily seen in dressage, eventing, and show jumping throughout the world. There were no Knabstrupper foals in North America until 2002, but it wasn't until 2003, when the American Knabstrupper Association was formed, that the Knabstrupper had anyone in North American to preserve and promote the breed.
Though the exact origins of the Kerry Bog Pony are a bit of a mystery. But it is likely this hardy pony is a descendant of the Celdone ponies used by the Celtic settlers in northern Spain. As trade expanded across Europe, these ponies ended up in Ireland where they tended to roam free. Like many other Irish horses, they were used as pack and cavalry animals in the early 19th century. By the late 19th and early 20th century they were being used to haul peat from the bogs in Kerry, which is where the modern name of Kerry Bog Pony comes from.
The problem with this is that the horses were taken off the moors where they bred and put in stalls all alone. This meant there wasn't much in the way of breeding happening. For the Kerry Bog Pony the end was very near. In fact, by the 1980s they were very nearly extinct. Lucky for the Kerry Bog, John Mulvihill of County Kerry in Ireland decided to intervene. He gathered a small herd of ponies and began breeding them, keeping records all the while. He even gave them their modern name. With the help of a few other enthusiasts he formed the Kerry Bog Pony Society.
Despite all his efforts, it wasn't until 1995 that a breed standard was written by Timothy Clifford. Even after that standard was written it was another ten years before it was adopted by the Kerry Bog Pony Co-Operative Society Ireland. Once this standard was accepted, a studbook could also be established. At least the Kerry Bog Pony had a fighting chance. Its longevity was assured when it was imported into the United States. The breeding in America is overseen by the American Kerry Bog Pony Association, which ensures the European standards are strictly adhered to.
Since this breed evolved on the harsh moors of Ireland, it is a hardy breed with a sturdy body. Its compact body gives it good balance and its small head gives it a sweet appearance. The coat is long and dense, allowing the pony to survive the cold and damp so common to Ireland in the winter. Most ponies are bay or brown, but chestnut, dun, and gray are also acceptable.
Used today for riding and harness work, the Kerry Bog Pony isn't seen all that often outside of Ireland. Its sweet disposition and hardy nature makes it the perfect pony for children, however, so its worth taking a look at this cute little breed.
Like many breeds, the Kathiawari is named for its place of origin. This sturdy breed was first found on the Kathiawari peninsula in western India and though we don't know exactly how it got there, it's probably a mix of Arabian and other desert breeds. Their ancestors probably wandered in from other parts of India, but we'll never really know for sure.
There is some confusion between the Marwari and the Kathiawari. They're sometimes even considered the same breed, but the Kathiawari is stockier and has finer facial features than the Marwari. Crosses between the two breeds are common, but they're not the same horse. The are indeed separate breeds.
This breed is on the smaller side as horses go, standing no more than 14.2 hands high. The Kathiawari is a sturdy little horse that is far stronger than it seems. Like the Marwari, it has the classic tipped-in ears, though the Kathiawari's are just a little shorter and a little more curved. They also have a less 'Roman' appearance than its sister breed.
Most colors and many patterns are acceptable. The Kathiawari can be found in all solid colors with the exception of black (who knows why). Almost all variations of cream, including cremello and palomino, are common in the Kathiawari. Probably the most unexpected (and most interesting) pattern you might find in this breed is pinto. A pinto horse of this side is just really cute.
The Kathiawari was mostly used as a utility horse on the farm, but they were also used for riding, driving, and even carrying mounted police officers. Most of these uses continue today. For more information on this cute little breed, visit The Indigenous Horse Society of India.
