Germany's Rarest Warmblood Olympian -- the Holsteiner Horse

The Holsteiner Warmblood Horse is the product of carefully organized breeding for over 750 years in the northernmost province of Germany. The horse was originally bred to provide valuable characteristics such as strength, steadiness and reliability for farmers and courage and agility for the military, but the Holsteiner has since developed into one of the great German sporting horses that is particularly well suited for jumping, dressage, driving and eventing of Olympic caliber.

The Holsteiner horse originated in the Schleswig-Holsteiner region and was bred primarily in the areas surrounding the city of Elmshorn. Early breeding was done in the monasteries with emphasis on creating an elegant riding and carriage horse that could also work the fields in the harsh climate of the region. After the Reformation, breeding was done by the state and individual farmers. Great pride was taken in selecting the best quality mares and stallions and in keeping accurate breeding records. Numbers known as stamms, or stems, were assigned to each new mare line and these numbers were passed down through the generations from mother to daughter; this practice is still in existence today.

In the 16th and 17th century, both Spanish and Neapolitan stallions were crossed in to the breed. This dominated the appearance of the Holsteiner with features such as a “Roman Nose” and an impressive size until the 19th century when during the Prussian time of Holstein, the state stud at Traventhal was founded in1867. In 1891 the breeders on the marshes united and in 1896 the Geest region breeders also founded a society, the German Holsteiner Verband. Of great importance was the founding of the riding and driving school at Elmshorn in 1894. The state stud Traventhal finally closed in 1960 and each stallion was transferred to the breeder's association.

The elegant carriage horses of the 1800's were produced by the inclusion of the Yorkshire Coach Horse and the Cleveland Bay from imported stallions. When the shift toward breeding horses specially suited to the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping, the Holsteiner Verband brought in the English Thoroughbred, Anglo Arab/Norman and Selle Francais stallions to change the Holsteiner type.

The Holsteiner Warmblood stallions influenced many local breeds or were even used as foundations. When the state stud at Celle was founded in 1735, 13 Holsteiner stallions were in the foundation of the Hanoverian breed. Further, Holsteiner Warmbloods were used in Westphalia to improve the small local breeds and in 1780 some Holsteiner were sold to Oldenburg.

The Holsteiner Warmblood horse was praised so highly as a riding horse that the French bought thousands of them for cavalry horses. Just before World War II, there was a great demand for the Holsteiner Warmblood horse in South America and other countries, while in Germany it was mostly used as an artillery horse. Eventually the Holsteiner was in great demand all over Europe as a carriage and riding horse particularly noted for its high knee action.

Today's Holsteiner Warmblood horse is similar to the English or Irish Hunter which is a powerful horse that is suited for show jumping as well as driving .But it was the introduction of Thoroughbred blood from a steeplechase stallion in the 19th century that at last dominated the appearance of the Holsteiner riding horse.

The Holsteiner Warmblood's conformation is different from that of other German warmblood horses such as the Trakehner. It is similar to the Hanoverian Warmblood, only a bit heavier. The Holsteiner is heavily built with a compact rounded body and a long, crested neck topped by a small head with large intelligent eyes. . The barrel is large and the croup is heavy with a broad back and a well set tail. The legs are comparatively short and strong boned with powerful hindquarters that make them great at show jumping. They have an excellent movement (needed for dressage), and sloping shoulders that make them great gallopers.

This conformation adapts easily to "self-carriage" which is an expressive, elegant quality of movement that is essential in modern equestrian disciplines. When the Holsteiner takes his first strides, his reputation as one of the world's finest sport horses is evident. He moves forward with elevation and suspension, giving an impression of strength, balance and elasticity. This fluid movement makes him the ideal Sporthorse. Dependable, relaxed, and coupled with renowned intelligence, the Holsteiner is known for its kind temperament and willingness to work.

But only solid bay, black, brown, chestnut, and gray-colored horses are eligible to receive the Holsteiner brand. Even though a dark buckskin Thoroughbred stallion named Marlon xx produced a number of buckskin and palomino Holsteiner offspring, these colors are not allowed in the studbook. Additionally, white spots larger than a dinner plate or evidence of pinto or leopard patterns are considered to be disqualifications.

In North America, the American Holsteiner Horse Association (AHHA) functions as an independent registry organization while maintaining an informal working relationship with the German Holsteiner Verband (GHV) and carrying out the breeding practices of the GHV. The AHHA conducts annual breeding stock inspections and only those horses which are of sufficient quality are eligible to produce registered offspring.

When naming that offspring, certain conventions must be followed as required by the German Holsteiner Verband. Each year a filly's name must begin with the letter designated for that year, so for the year 2008 a female offspring’s name must begin with the letter = "A". Male offspring must be named such that the first letter of the colt's name is the same as the first letter of his sire’s name, although use of the sire’s name as part of the foal’s registered name is discouraged.

The Holsteiner studbook is one of the smallest equine studbooks in Europe. Approximately 6% of the total horse population. But in spite of its small size, it has consistently produced some of the world's most successful international horses in all equine disciplines. For example, the Holsteiner dominated the proceedings in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal in Dressage, 3-Day Evening and Show Jumping.

That high performance quality is still being carried on into the 21st century. Holsteiner stallions continue to produce some of America's top dressage horses, with several earning United States Dressage Federation "Horse of the Year" awards at various levels.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The Spotted Saddle Horse - The Gaited Horse of Many Colors

The Spotted Saddle Horse is a relatively new breed of naturally gaited horse that is known for having spotted coats of many colors. They are versatile, good natured with strength and stamina. The disposition is typically a gentle one, and they are easy to handle and train.

The Spotted Saddle horse was developed in the United States by crossing Spanish/American-type spotted ponies, such as Mustangs, with other established gaited breeds such as the Tennessee Walking Horse, Standardbred, Missouri Fox Trotter, Peruvian Paso, Paso Fino and the Racking Horse to produced a naturally smooth gaited, colorful horse. However, since the Tennessee Walking Horse was used extensively and has a predominant influence in the breed, the Spotted Saddle Horse more closely resembles a heavier Tennessee Walker than any of the other breeds in its pedigree.

At this time, any horse, regardless of background, may be registered as a Spotted Saddle Horse, provided that the horse is spotted and exhibits a saddle gait, which may be a flat walk, running walk, pace, rack, or a combination of all gaits. As an interesting side note is that the horse cannot trot.

Although many breeds have been used in the Spotted Saddle Horse's development, it closely resembles a smaller, slightly stockier Tennessee Walking Horse. The horse is well muscled and smooth, not bulgy or knotty; not as developed as a Quarter Horse, but more of a heavier build than the Tennessee Walking Horse. The horse is physically balanced, with muscle development of forehand and hindquarter being equal. This is true with most breeds that perform the smooth or easy gaits since they push off with the rear and pull with the front.

The head is of moderate length, refined, with a soft, gentle expression with a profile that is straight to slightly convex. The Spotted Saddle Horse ranges from 13.3 to 15.2 hands with the average horse being 15 hands. While the NSSHA is working towards the larger individual as the breed's ideal, it does not discriminate against any of them simply on the basis of size.

The Spotted Saddle Horse has been gaining in demand and popularity as both a pleasure horse and a show horse. They are currently being trained in the areas of Show, Trail, Field Trial, and purely backyard pleasure. It is shown in a number of different disciplines such as pleasure, in hand, under harness, adult riders & youth riders. Show classes are also divided by gender and/or age of either horse or rider and even further divided by the height of the horses.

The National Spotted Saddle Horse (which is a horse registered with NSSHA) is shown with a bridle of leather featuring either buckstitching, silver, or plain. It is similar to the type used by the Tennessee Walking Horse, but the rhinestones and colored browbands are prohibited. He is shown under a western saddle and the rider's show attire is also western, complete with long-sleeved western shirt, western slacks, western boots, a cowboy hat, bolo tie and optional chaps.

All of the recognized colors of the equine world are accepted as long as they also include white in a spotted pattern with color above the hock, but not counting any facial markings. The horse must possess at least one spot midway between the center of the knee and the floor of the chest and midway between the point of the hock and the center point of the stifle. And a horse must exhibit a spot TWO INCHES OR MORE in diameter with underlying contrast skin in the area described above or in the tail. Facial markings, mixed tails, and/or high stockings alone do not qualify as the required spot.

The Spotted Saddle Horse markings are the same as the standard Pinto and Paint type patterns. The horse can be Tobiano, Sabino, Overo, or Tovero. Many Spotted Saddle Horses have the Tobiano pattern, yet with bald or bonnet faces as found on Overo or Sabino. Some also show ragged edges and isolated "other type" spots on basically Tobiano type patterns. NSSHA insists that all horses show spotted coloration.

But the best part of all is that the Spotted Saddle Horse has an extremely comfortable gait. The required "saddle gait" of the Spotted Saddle Horse includes the stepping pace, fox-trot, single-foot, flat walk, running walk, pace, rack or a combination of all gaits. The Spotted Saddle Horse can also perform a canter, but cannot trot.

Of the 7-plus possible gaits found within the breed, the Spotted Saddle Horse is only shown in three gaits: the Flat Walk, the Show Pleasure, and the Canter. All three gaits must be able to be performed as a four year old. Before the age of 4, the horse must be able to perform at least 2 gaits.

In the Flat Walk, the horse should be striding behind and breaking in front while picking up his feet smartly. The Show Pleasure gait is simply the Flat Walk with a noticeable increase in speed and added "flashiness." When the horse is performing the Canter, he should be under control at all times and should always be on the correct lead.

Additionally, he should be able to do a "Back In Line-Up". This requires that the horse backs up straight at all times and should not throw his head or even open his mouth. However, only keg shod horses can back. A keg shoe is a machine-made horseshoe that is available in various sizes. Most horses wear this type of shoe.

There are several breed registries and with only minor exception, these registries all still allow animals to be registered that exhibit the spotted coat pattern and the smooth intermediate gait.

The National Spotted Saddle Horse Association (NSSHA) that was formed in 1979 serves as the official breed registry for spotted, gaited horses and it keeps accurate records of all spotted saddle horses that have ever been registered with NSSHA. The NSSHA is dedicated to establishing a uniform breed of saddle horse that is naturally gaited and that can perform without the use of punishing training aids or substances.

The Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (SSHBEA) was established in 1985 to promote the Spotted Saddle Horse and has established official rules for registering and showing of the breed. The SSHBEA closed half of the studbooks in 1999, so it is now a requirement that at least one parent must be registered with SSHBEA in order to register the offspring.

The American Spotted Horse Association (ASHA) was established in 1999 and its registry is based on promoting the sound, gaited western style Spotted Horse.

If you are looking for a colorful, versatile, gentle, flashy gaited horse, you may have just found it in the new Spotted Saddle Horse.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The Ancient Portuguese Bull Fighting Lusitano Horse

The Lusitano is an ancient breed of horse native to Portugal that is filled with tradition. It has historical links to the military, to bullfighting and to the classical training methods of the “Haute École”. It is known by many names such as Lusitanian, Betico-lusitano, National Horse, Peninsular Horse, Pura Raza Española (PRE) and Portuguese Horse and has inspired powerful descriptions such as "a horse for a King in days of victory", but the official Lusitano breed name comes from the word Lusitania, which was name that the ancient Romans gave to the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. The Lusitano has a natural ability for concentration and learning quickly, with a great disposition for High School work. It is courageous and enthusiastic for what are known as the gineta exercises, which include combat, hunting, bullfighting, and working with cattle.

The Lusitano is very similar in conformation to the Andalusian horses of Spain and the two breeds are thought to have originated from a common source, the rare and nearly extinct Sorraia, which is a smaller horse that is characterized by a dun colored coat with primitive markings. In fact, until 1960, Lusitanos and Andalusians were registered together in the Spanish Stud Book of the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano (APSL), also known as the Portuguese Lusitano Breeders Association. However, selective breeding in the Lusitano resulted in a more convex profile reminiscent of the older Andalusian or Iberian horse whereas the Andalusian has developed a more Oriental head shape. The modern Lusitano is on average a cleaner-moving, braver, and tougher-built horse than the average modern Andalusian. They are now considered to be separate breeds and in the United States they are represented by the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA).

Additionally, the Lusitano's history is identical to that of the Spanish or Iberian horse. For most of their common history, Portuguese and Spanish horses were bred as if they were one breed. The Iberian horse was called Andalusian, Estremenjo, or Castillian, depending on the region it was bred in, and it was called Lusitanian in Portugal. Today, the breed is known as Lusitano or "Puro Sangue Lusitano" (PSL), meaning pure-blooded Lusitano.

The ancestors of the modern Lusitano were incredible horses. When the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthagians landed on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, which is now Portugal, they came across riders whose horses were of superior speed and whose fighting ability from horseback was incredible. This perfect union, the connection of horse and rider as one entity, led to the myth of the Centaur, and it was thought that this half-human/half-horse creature, stemmed from the delta of the river Tejo. The tale told to explain the fantastic speed of these horses was that "they conceived their foals by the wind."

In Portugal, the horses were sought after over the centuries as a war horse and were bred in a continuous effort to produce the best war horse or bullfighting horse. When the Iberian horse was no longer needed as a war mount, mounted bullfighting became the horse's main use. But when mounted bullfighting was prohibited in Spain by a royal decree for several centuries, the sport lived on in Portugal without interruption. The Lusitano continued to be bred for its bullfighting agility, which happens to be identical to their ability and agility for high school dressage.

The Lusitano has all the courage of the Spanish Horse coupled with remarkable agility, quickness and balance, which makes the Lusitano the perfect horse for mounted bullfighting in Portugal. These bullfighting horses are highly trained to swerve instantly, yet still remain calm when a charging bull approaches, and they also need to possess an extreme dose of "bravura", agility, and obedience. In Portugal, the bull is not killed in the bullring, but calmly exits the arena after the fight escorted by tame steers, so the horse must obediently remain still. However, these days, the Lusitano has become so expensive that many bull fighters cannot afford a pure Lusitano, and if they can, they will not risk injuring their horse while fighting the bull. This means that cruzados, or mongrels, are being ridden in the bullrings instead, but they are often able to excel nearly as well. A cruzado may be a crossbreed, but it could also be a true Lusitano whose pedigree is incomplete or unregistered.

Today, the Lusitano horse is recognized for its ability to perform well in a plethora of equestrian disciplines. In the attempt to become more competitive with the world-wide sport horses, the European Warmbloods, and targeting events like show jumping and modern dressage in which the warmblood excels, the Lusitano is starting to lose its Iberian type.
Traditionally, the Lusitano is a horse of medium size. At the age of six years, the average height is 15.1 hands for mares and 15.3 hands for stallions, although they may be found over 16.0 hands high now, while also looking more like Northern European warmbloods. They weigh approximately 1100 pounds.

There is no discrimination against any solid color. Originally, the Lusitano was grulla or dun, but buckskins, palominos, cremellos, and perlinos can also be found. However, the gray gene has taken over the breed, and most Lusitano horses are various shades of gray, depending on their age. It has become the most appreciated and esteemed color of the breed. Their overall body profile is described in the official breed standard as "sub-convex (with rounded outlines); a silhouette that can be fitted into a square."

The Lusitano has a well-proportioned noble head of medium length that is narrow and dry, with the cheek inclined to be long. It has a slightly sub-convex profile with a slightly curved forehead narrowing to a finely curved nose. The eyes are elliptical or almond-shaped and are large, alive, expressive and confident. The medium-length ears are fine, narrow and expressive. The neck is of medium length and arched, ending at a narrow junction with the head. The body is short-coupled with powerful shoulders, a deep rib cage and broad powerful loins. The mane and tail are abundant and silky with the tail set rather low on an unobtrusive hip. Even when excited, the tail is not carried very high.

The Lusitano has a trait that is often associated with Iberian horses. It is called "campaneo" in Spain, and it is the action of the front leg that does not show a straight forward movement, but rather swings out laterally to a degree. It appears to be an inherent trait of the Iberian horse. Just as in the Andalusian breed, some Lusitano horses can be found that do a lateral gait.

While the Lusitano was not bred for its gait, but for its agility in the bullring, there are still some individuals that have retained the gait and the action of these Lusitano horses is showy. The cannon bones are comparatively long and lend to the knee action and proud, elevated movements. The hind leg is positioned well underneath the body axis, producing the hock action so suited to collection and impulsion. The movements are agile, sure-footed, elevated forward and uphill, and carry the rider in comfort. It is a gait that there is no clear written description of, and one that must be seen or ridden to be fully appreciated.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.