Holsteiner (horse)

Infobox Horse
name=Holsteiner


image_caption=Holsteiner gelding at the FEI World Cup
features = German sport horse bred for show jumping, primarily grey and bay in color.
altname=
nickname= HOL, HOLST
country= Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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group2=
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note= Brand on left hind leg features the letter "H" within a crowned shield.| :"For other uses of the word, see Holstein (disambiguation)"

The Holsteiner is a breed of horse originating in the Schleswig-Holstein region of northern Germany. It is thought to be the oldest of warmblood breeds, tracing back to the 13th century.Fact|date=March 2008 Though the population is not large, Holsteiners are a dominant force of international show jumping, and are found at the top levels of dressage, combined driving, show hunters, and even eventing.

Breed characteristics

While a dark buckskin Thoroughbred stallion, "Marlon xx" produced a number of buckskin and palomino Holsteiner offspring, these colors are not permitted in the studbook. Only solid bay, black, brown, chestnut, and grey horses are eligible for the Holsteiner brand. White spots larger than a dinner plate, or evidence of pinto or leopard patterns are disqualifying.cite web |url=http://www.holsteiner.com/HolsteinerDirectory/2007Directory/2007BreedingRules/Breeding%20Rules.pdf |title=Breeding and Registration Rules |publisher=American Holsteiner Horse Association |accessdate=2008-01-21] They have powerful hindquarters, making them great at show jumping, with strong bone, excellent movement (needed for dressage), and sloping shoulders, making them great gallopers. They generally have strong limbs, a long, crested neck, and strong feet. They have a broad back and a well set tail.

History

Folk of the Schleswig-Holstein marshlands of Germany have been breeding horses since 1225. The region was famous for its war horses in the Middle Ages, and then, in the 16th to 18th century bred popular coach horses after refining their horses with Spanish, Neapolitan, and Barbary blood. In the 19th century, the demand for a faster coach horse and for a lighter cavalry horse encouraged the breeders to lighten the breed with British Stallions. The most influential were three Yorkshire Coach Horses, all of which traced back to the Thoroughbred stallion Eclipse. They made the Holstein into a high-stepping carriage horse, as well as a horse strong enough for agricultural work.In th 1960s, the Holstein was refined yet again, using Thoroughbreds. Most were imported from Britain and Ireland, and they were used to make the breed more athletic. The most influential were Cottage Son, Ladykiller, and Marlon. Ramzes, a Polish Anglo-Arabian, and Cor de la Bryere, a Selle Francais, were also very influential. The result was a success, producing a group of stallions very important to modern sport horse breeding: Landgraf by Ladykiller, and Ramiro, a grandson of Ramzes out of a Cottage Son mare.

Holstein blood has been infused in many other sport horse breeds, including Dutch, Danish, and British Warmbloods. Today, the Holstein is high in demand, especially in dressage and showjumping.

Famous horses

* Cagliostro (horse)
* Dobels Cento
* Gandini Lianos
* Montevideo (horse)

References