The Holstein horse breed is considered one of the most ancient in Europe. The first mention of it dates back to the 13th century. It has come a long and difficult path of development and over the centuries has undergone many changes in appearance and character. Today this breed is known throughout the world. Its representatives are actively used in various areas of equestrian sports. Holstein horses are especially good in show jumping.
Holstein horse breed
History of the origin of the breed
The ancestors of Holstein horses are horses that were bred on the territory of the borders of modern Czech Republic and Germany. These were massive horses capable of carrying riders in armor. Animals were distinguished by endurance, agility and unpretentiousness.
The valleys of the Elbe river in the cold season resembled a swamp, and in the summer heat the soil became stony, pastures in this area were scarce. The ancestors of Holstein horses knew how to survive in such conditions.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, Germany was in need of strong and frisky horses in order to use them for military purposes. Then the monks from the northern part of Germany began to experiment, crossing local mares with stallions of Andalusian, Barbary and Arabian breeds. Priests sold the best crossbred descendants of the army.
The situation changed in the 18th and 19th centuries, when armored knights were replaced by cavalry. Now the country needed light, strong and frisky horses. Local horses turned out to be unsuitable for cavalrymen and were forgotten until 1867, when the Traventall stud farm was founded in the small town of Schleiswig-Holstein.
A new round in the development of the breed
At the German stud farm, active work was carried out to improve the local breed. To give the horses lightness and agility, mares were crossed with stallions of Yorkshire carriage horses. The latter possessed a number of features that strong knightly horses were deprived of:
- distinguished by a beautiful physique;
- possessed a graceful easy move;
- energy and nobility.
The individuals obtained as a result of selection combined the best qualities inherited from the ancestors – endurance, unpretentiousness, playfulness, smooth lines, grace and beauty. Work to improve the Holstein breed was carried out before the start of World War II.
The birth of a sport horse
After the war, it became necessary to change the selection strategy again. Now mechanization was actively developing, and the crews were irretrievably a thing of the past. But in Europe, interest in equestrian sports developed. German breeders decided to work on improving the Holstein breed, making it suitable for participation in sports.
Holstein horse breed in equestrian sport
The influx of blood from the Trakehners and English riding horses played a huge role in the development of the modern show jumping breed. Today’s Holsteiners are very different from their ancestors – they are light, proportionately built, beautiful, fast and hardy.
Attention! Sports breeds of horses are characterized by a difficult character, but Holstein horses, despite the presence of hot English blood in them, demonstrate a submissive kind disposition. This is one of their virtues.
Description of the breed: exterior and colors
Holstein horses look like real athletes. They are harmoniously built, have a strong muscular body, which, nevertheless, is not without grace and gloss. The average height of a stallion at the withers is 1,68–1,72 m.
A common color in the breed is bay. Red and black coats are also common. Less commonly, you can meet a bay or roan representative of the Holstein breed of horses.
External characteristics:
- a medium-sized head with an even profile and intelligent, expressive eyes and wide nostrils;
- beautiful high-set curved long neck;
- oblique muscled shoulders;
- massive chest;
- strong short body;
- the back is straight;
- tightened belly;
- neat oval croup with a high tail;
- strong long legs with massive hooves.
Powerful limbs and a light back part of the body – such a body structure allows horses to make accurate, clear, highly technical jumps. This breed is considered the best for show jumping.
Character
Representatives of the Holstein breed achieve high results in sports not only due to their physique, some character traits also contribute to their success. Holsteiners are stubborn, hardworking and hardy. They are able to train for several hours in a row, dutifully following the commands of the rider.
Holstein breed
These horses, unlike the English thoroughbreds, are docile and friendly animals. The will to win, determination and leadership qualities lifted the Holstein horses to the podium.
Where is the horse used?
The Holstein horse breed is involved in sports. Horses are considered among the best in show jumping, although they show excellent results in other disciplines – driving and dressage. Among them are many champions and Olympic medalists.
A mare named Tora is the first of the breed, which managed to win gold at the Olympics in 1936. Horse Meteor became the Olympic champion three times. The uterine family of the world-famous stallion Landgraf 1, born in 1966, is considered the most productive. The descendants of this legendary stallion have earned many high awards in equestrian sport. In total, they won over 3000000 marks in horse racing..
Other world-famous medalists and champions of the Holstein breed:
- Stallion Luch, a descendant of Landgraf 1, who won the USSR Cup in 1975.
- Mare Feine Dame. She received a bronze medal in show jumping.
- Almox Classic Touch – awarded gold for jumping over obstacles.
Attention! In any equestrian competition, be it show jumping, dressage or driving, Holstein horses will definitely be in the top ten.
Stallions and mares, which for various reasons were not admitted to professional sports, are used in amateur riding. Connoisseurs of this breed buy culled horses for personal farms and use them as helpers. Thanks to their good disposition, these horses can be involved in hippotherapy and equestrian tourism.
The ancient breed line of horses, bred in Germany, is a vivid example of German pedantry. Competent selection and strict adherence to the goal led to the emergence of the Holstein horse in the form in which it is presented now. These are superbly built, beautiful, graceful, smart, strong and hardy horses worthy of the best awards.
