Origin
Germany
History
The Holsteiner is the oldest of the German warmbloods, and takes its name from the Elmshorn district of Holstein, the area in which it originated. The breed originated when Neapolitan and Spanish foundation stock were bred by farmers for cavalry horses.
Breeding of Holstein horses goes back many centuries. The earliest information regarding this breed dates to the second century B.C. The horses came from western Asia and were most likely of Turkmenian stock, much smaller than the modern-day Holstein horse. Influenced by their new environment in the Holstein area, with different climate and soil conditions, they became larger and stronger.
The first written information regarding Holstein horses is from early medieval times. The first Holstein stud book shows that farmers and noblemen alike owned fine horses in the sixteenth century.
While the Thirty Years War to the south destroyed the land and many of its horses, horse breeding in Holstein flourished. In 1680, at the royal stud of the Dukes of Holstein at Esserom, the Holsteiner stallion Mignon was used to begin the breeding of the famous cream horses that became the pride of the Electors of Hanover and formed part of the complement of horses at London´s Royal Mews until 1920.
From the 16th century to the 18th century, Holstein horses were in demand in Denmark, Spain, Italy, France and other European countries. Many German states brought luxury horses, remounts, and breeding horses from Holstein. Therefore, they had also an increasing influence on other German warmblood breeds and were used to improve the Westphalian and Mecklenburg stock. They were introduced at Celle , breeding center for the famous Hanoverians .
The Holsteiner has always been very tractable in temperament, a prized characteristic fostered by careful selective breeding. However, in 1680, it was hardly a supremely elegant horse, nor was it very fast. During the 19th century the importation into Germany of Cleveland Bay and Thoroughbred blood from England added elegance to the Holstein breed. The result was a hard, handsome carriage horse that could also be used as an artillery draft animal and as a strong riding horse, in which capacity the Holsteiner was in demand as a cavalry remount.
Since World War II further refinements have been made. Thoroughbred blood was again introduced to upgrade the breed and respond to the demands of the changing horse market to produce a horse bred for competition.
All people involved in Holstein breeding belong to the Association of Breeders of Holstein Horses, with offices in Elmshorn. Rigid control by the German government assures strict minimum standards for the breeding of Holstein horses. No stallion may be used for breeding unless it has been licensed and has a current service permit. Only stallions whose pedigrees are validated by the breed society can receive such permits.
Description
- Head:
inclines toward the plainer sort of Thoroughbred - Conformation:
this is a powerfully built horse with good depth of girth, short legs, and plenty of bone. The quarters are of exceptional strength. - Average height:
16 to 17 h.h. - Colours:
usually brown, black and bay - Temperament:
good-tempered, keen willingness to learn and work - Today:
it is the all-around competition horse, and, of all the German warmbloods, it is probably the best eventing prospect. The modern Holsteiner is among the world´s best show jumpers.
