Freiberger
Origin
Switzerland
History
Also called Franches-Montagnes, the Freiberger is a mountain-bred horse, originating in the Jura region of western Switzerland. For generations it was the mainstay of the army pack companies, and was also ideal on small mountain farms.
It has a strong Norman background. The Freiberg horse was developed around the end of the nineteenth century by crossing native coldblooded Jura mares with the English Thoroughbred and Anglo-Norman. Many Freibergers trace to one stallion, Vaillant , foaled in 1891. Vaillant was a great grandson of Leo I, a halfbred English hunter stallion with Norfolk Roadster connections, who was imported in 1865. Poulette, Vaillant´s grandam on both sides, was of Thoroughbred/Anglo-Norman stock. Imprevu, an Anglo-Norman imported in 1889, produced a second important line through his great grandson Chasseur. Some Breton and Belgian blood was also used. It was not until after the Second World War that a new bloodline emerged from Urus, another stallion with Norman blood. Since then crosses have been carefully monitored. Anglo-Normans are usually selected, but Arabians have also been used.
Description
- Head:
small head showing Arab influence, although sometimes rather heavy, with a straight profile, broad forehead and small ears - Conformation:
-muscular, arched neck, broad at the base
-broad and pronounced withers
-sloping shoulder
-deep and well developed chest
-straight and short back
-powerful loins
-slightly sloping croup
-short legs with good joints, plenty of bone
-tough hooves - Average height:
14.3 to 15.2 h.h. - Colours:
mostly chestnut and bay - Temperament:
docile but energetic, easily trained, agile, well balanced character - Today:
it is the ideal horse for riders who enjoy riding through rocky terrain. One can either ride western or English and is easily ridden for fun or used to pull wagons or even elegant wedding carriages. In the last years the Freiberger has been crossed with the Swiss half blood (Schweizer Halbblut). This making the Freiberger lighter and more elegant. With their spirited stride they have also done well in dressage and have begun to be used in show jumping. The Freiberger is also appreciated in "Hippotherapie”.
