Danish Knabstrupper Shares Appaloosa Roots
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The Knabstrupper is a Danish performance horse breed so rare in North America that the largest breeder has only 25 head. While few exist outside of Denmark and northern Germany, they have plenty of relatives among North American Appaloosas. The 2 breeds share ancient Spanish bloodlines.
“Genetically, the Knabstrupper and the Appaloosa have the same origin, but they’ve been bred for different purposes for the past 300 years,” says Melyni Worth, Cedar Creek Stables. “The Knabstrupper is a good, solid, old fashioned, working type horse that was bred for general farm use in Denmark.”
The breed originated with a mare purchased from a Spanish cavalry officer and bred to a Fredricksborg stallion on an estate called Knabstrupgaard. The mating produced a wildly colored stallion. The mare and her offspring were then bred to other high quality horses producing similar loudly colored offspring. Knabstruppers became highly sought after. However, breeding of the line was limited, and inbreeding was a problem. In 1971 three American Appaloosa stallions were imported to Denmark to introduce new blood. The breed has expanded in Europe since, most recently expanding to North America. Worth was among the first breeders here when she started with them about 10 years ago.
“I like their temperament,” she says. “They are friendly, trainable, intelligent and sound horses. They do everything you ask of them.”
Worth says the horses are popular for dressage, jumping, fox hunting and other performance events. She says the horses were long selected for viability, temperament and soundness, as well as a good work ethic.
“Before a Knabstrupper can be bred, it has to be evaluated in a ridden or driven test before a breeding committee,” says Worth. “They may be pretty, but they have to be able to get out and do something, no matter how well they have done in the show ring. They have to demonstrate 3 gaits and a good temper.”
While the Knabstruppers are most well known for their spotted color patterns, the breed also includes horses with solid colors. Breeders can submit applications to the breeding committee.
“Stud fees can run between $800 and $1,200,” says Worth. “A filly can run from $5,000 to $10,000 in Denmark without a show record, depending on quality of bloodlines and how it performs.”
Mature Knabstruppers can sell for up to $50,000 or higher. One on her website is listed for $75,000. Worth also sells flushed embryos from a selected mare bred to a stallion of the buyer’s choice. A retrieved embryo shipped or implanted can run from $1,000 to $2,500.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Cedar Creek Stables, 2435 Shutterlee Mill Rd., Pastures, Va. 24401 (ph 540 337-5451; www.cedarcreekstables.us; www.knabstruppers4usa.com).
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Danish Knabstrupper Shares Appaloosa Roots LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules The Knabstrupper is a Danish performance horse breed so rare in North America that the largest breeder has only 25 head While few exist outside of Denmark and northern Germany they have plenty of relatives among North American Appaloosas The 2 breeds share ancient Spanish bloodlines “Genetically the Knabstrupper and the Appaloosa have the same origin but they’ve been bred for different purposes for the past 300 years ” says Melyni Worth Cedar Creek Stables “The Knabstrupper is a good solid old fashioned working type horse that was bred for general farm use in Denmark ” The breed originated with a mare purchased from a Spanish cavalry officer and bred to a Fredricksborg stallion on an estate called Knabstrupgaard The mating produced a wildly colored stallion The mare and her offspring were then bred to other high quality horses producing similar loudly colored offspring Knabstruppers became highly sought after However breeding of the line was limited and inbreeding was a problem In 1971 three American Appaloosa stallions were imported to Denmark to introduce new blood The breed has expanded in Europe since most recently expanding to North America Worth was among the first breeders here when she started with them about 10 years ago “I like their temperament ” she says “They are friendly trainable intelligent and sound horses They do everything you ask of them ” Worth says the horses are popular for dressage jumping fox hunting and other performance events She says the horses were long selected for viability temperament and soundness as well as a good work ethic “Before a Knabstrupper can be bred it has to be evaluated in a ridden or driven test before a breeding committee ” says Worth “They may be pretty but they have to be able to get out and do something no matter how well they have done in the show ring They have to demonstrate 3 gaits and a good temper ” While the Knabstruppers are most well known for their spotted color patterns the breed also includes horses with solid colors Breeders can submit applications to the breeding committee “Stud fees can run between $800 and $1 200 ” says Worth “A filly can run from $5 000 to $10 000 in Denmark without a show record depending on quality of bloodlines and how it performs ” Mature Knabstruppers can sell for up to $50 000 or higher One on her website is listed for $75 000 Worth also sells flushed embryos from a selected mare bred to a stallion of the buyer’s choice A retrieved embryo shipped or implanted can run from $1 000 to $2 500 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Cedar Creek Stables 2435 Shutterlee Mill Rd Pastures Va 24401 ph 540 337-5451; www cedarcreekstables us; www knabstruppers4usa com
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