Origin
Hungary
History
The Kisber Halfbred was developed at the Kisber Stud in Hungary, which was founded by Emperor Franz Josef I in 1853. The stud was primarily developed for the breeding of Thoroughbred horses and produced such racing talents as Kisber, winner of the Epsom Derby and Kincsem, the incredible mare which was listed into the Guinness Book of World Records for an unbeaten 54 races.
Besides the English Thorougbreds, different types of horses were collected in Kisbér. This carefully selected stock, though rather mixed in pedigree, was bred to the excellent thorougbred stallions. This resulted in a saddle horse breed of high thoroughbred blood, which was heavier, of good conformation and not as nervous as the Thorougbred breed. These horses were then bred for use as calvary mounts and became known all over Europe as the finest available. Doubling as cart horses to pull artillery and provision wagons led to their use as fine carriage horses.
This splendid breed was almost lost during the World War I and World War II as many horses throughout Hungary were slaughtered by soldiers for meat. Others were used as beasts of burden and many went to the German serum institute which used the horses' blood to make medicines.
The National Kisbér Félvér Association was established in 1989 from the remaining horses of the former state farm and co-operative farm studs and private stock with Kisbér pedigree. The Association aims to produce a superior performance horse that encompasses beauty, endurance, mental and physical balance as well as a nice character. Accepted crosses are: Trakehner, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Shagya Arabian and Selle Francais with a four generation pedigree and minimum size of 15.2 h.h.. Candidates for breeding stallions and mares must pass a working capacity test of military character. Only those individuals passing the test successfully may be used for breeding stock. Kisber Halfbred stallions are also tested by the performance of their progeny.
Description
- Head:
noble and dry with small, active ears - Conformation:
-neck, long, straight, or slightly arched
-withers, medium-high and long
-shoulder, well sloped-back, often sloped forward and hollowed
-barrel, deep and well sprung
-muscular foreleg
-cannons and pasterns of medium length - Average height:
16 to 17 h.h. - Colour:
usually chestnut or bay, rarely grey or black - Temperament:
lively, a people oriented horse, extremely intelligent and willing to please. They are inquisitive and courageous, and so they are easily trained. - Today:
it is good as a saddle horse, for touring or three-day eventing, as a military horse, or in equestrian sports of any kind. Some individuals as well as certain strains are very successful in sport jumping.
