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Knabstrup(Knabstruper) |
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Knabstrup(Knabstruper) |
The warmblooded Knabstrup has been bred in the cool temperate environment of Denmark since the 19th century. This specatularly spotted Danish horse is like the American Appaloosa with varying patterns and no two horses ever being identical. This breed has been much used as a circus horse, but it is also valued for general riding. Like the Frederiksborg, the Knabstrup has almost disappeared, becoming more like the American Appaloosa.
Standing from 15.1 to 16 hands and averaging about 15.2 hands high, the Knabstrup owes its origin to the gene from Spanish stock which gave it its spotted coat. The Knabstrups superior size, better movement and greater scope is inherited from Frederiksborg blood. The coat is always spotted, with roan coloring being a recent introduction. The Knabstrup's spotted coloring will extend down its usually conformationally correct legs. One of my sources indicates that the roan coloring is the base for the appaloosa patterns typical for this breed. The original colorations are more likely to have been white, spotted with brown or black over most of the body. Roan coloring is actually a more recent introduction to this breed. All spotted patterns on a grey or roan background are accepted. Almost all spotted strains can be easily managed, and are cooperative and learn quickly. This combined set of qualities, and the horse's striking color patterns, ensured the Knabstrup's popularity for circus horses.
Its head reflects traditional kindliness and intelligence, typical of spotted horse strains. The eyes are encircled by the white sclera, and the muzzle is mottled. Its back has a peculiar straight line which also occurs in some Appaloosa strains. Its limbs experienced conofrmational defects during the period of the breed's deterioration, but today the conformation has largely been corrected. Spotted coloring extends down the Knabstrup's legs clear to the hooves. Typical of Appaloosas and all other spotted horses, the hooves of the Knabstrup are often marked by vertical stripes. Its mane and tail are sparse, seemingly typical of spotted horses, is similar to that of the Appaloosa.
From the cave drawings of Cro-Magnum man some 30,000 years ago, spotted horses have been evident among horses. These horses were frequently revered in the ancient world and highly prized. Emperor Wu Ti of China, who prepared to wage war for more than 25 years, bred the "Heavenly Horses of Ferghana" in the second century B.C. These were spotted horses much like the Knabstrup. Often these horses were so revered in the ancient world that they were frequently buried with their royal masters.
Dating from the Napoleonic Wars, the Knabstrup is of a more recent origin, founded from a Spanish mare in 1808. This mare was purchased from a butcher named Flaebe by Judge Lunn. The mare's name, Flaebehoppen or Flaebenhoppen, means Flaebe's horse in the Danish language. This mare once pulled the butcher's cart until the experienced horse breeder Lunn purchased her. She was noted for her speed and endurance and Judge Lunn (also known as Major Villars Lunn) bred her to his Frederiksborg stallions. It is believed that Flaebenhoppen was brought to Denmark during the Napoleonic wars, when Spanish troops were stationed in Denmark, and eventually fell into ownership of the proprieter of the Knabstrup estate after she was left behind by an officer.
Spanish horses were noted for spotted strains occurring well into the 19th century. Flaebenhoppen is variously described as "chestnut with a white blanket and white mane and tail" or as "chestnut with a 'blanket' covering of spots." Flaebenhoppen was bred to a palomino Frederiksborg stallion to found a line of spotted horses through her son Flaebehingsten, her son. Flaebehingsten had a similar color to that of his mother, but with many more shades in his coat, described as light, metallic, and spotted. This new spotted breed was greatly influence by her grandson Mikkel, who is recognized as a foundation sire. This line of spotted horses were not as substantial as the Frederiksborg, but they were desired for their coloration and abilities.
Tough and rawboned, the old Knabstrupers were intellignet, tractable, and quick to learn. The breed deteriorated as a result of injudicious breeding for color. The original hardy and tough stock hardly exists today. The stamp of an old Knabstrup is strong with more of a harness comformation, particularly in the shoulder and short neck. This horse would likely have a reputation as tough and as enduring as its foundation mare, who was said to be easily trained and an excellent performer.
The modern Knabstrup is closer in character to the American Appaloosa, which has a greater range of colors and is a quality animal with some substance. Due to recent crossbreeding, which concentrates on producing better color patterns, conformation has become inconsistent and there is a considerable variation in type. Today's Knabstrupers are more substantial animals with better conformation than those bred 50 years ago. There had been some degeneration in the stock due to consistent breeding for color patterns, resulting in a loss of quality. The trend now is to improve the conformation without losing the distinctive coloring in the Knabstrup. Knabstrups are still similar to their Frederiksborg relatives, but slightly more stocky. Steady and enduring qualities make the Knabstrup an ideal horse for general riding.
For more information on the Knabstrup, visit:
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© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
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