Knabstrupper
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox animal breedTemplate:Main other
The Knabstrupper or Knabstrup is a Danish breed of warmblood horse. It is principally a riding horse, but is also used as a harness horse and as a circus animal.Template:R It is broadly similar to the Frederiksborger, but often has a spotted coat. In the past, injudicious breeding for this characteristic alone compromised its constitution and conformation.Template:R In the years after the Second World War the mechanisation of agriculture led to a sharp fall in numbers, and by the 1960s no more than 100 of the horses remained.Template:R In the twenty-first century it is an endangered breed, with a world-wide population estimated at little over Template:Val.Template:R
History
The Knabstrupper descends from a single mare believed to have originated in Spain who showed qualities of endurance and speed, and was of an unusual colouration: a deep red (Template:Langx) with a white tail and mane, and white flecks or "snowflakes" over her whole body and brown spots on her back.Template:R She was called Flaebehoppen, 'Flaebe's horse', because she was reportedly bought by a butcher named Flaebe from an officer of the Spanish army. He sold her to Template:Ill, who took her to his estate at Knabstrup Hovedgård in the kommune of Holbæk in northern Zealand.Template:R There, in 1808, after a month of testing of her working capabilities, he bred her to a Frederiksborger stallion.Template:R The stallion Mikkel, a grandson of this pair foaled in 1818, was a noted harness-racer and a foundation stallion of the Knabstrupper breed.Template:R In 1971, three Appaloosa stallions were imported to Denmark in the hope of adding new blood to the Knabstrupper breed; only two of them were used, and many breeders preferred to cross-breed with Danish Warmblood, Holsteiner or Trakehner stock.Template:R
As of 2024, crossing Knabstruppers with other breeds such as Thoroughbreds, Arabians and other warmbloods may lead to approval, but crossing with Appaloosas will not.[1][2]
Characteristics
The horses usually stand between Template:Val at the withers;Template:R small or pony-sized ones have also been bred.Template:R The coat may be of any color except piebald or palomino, but is most often spotted.Template:R
A 2022 study found that Knabstruppers are predisposed to Equine Recurrent Uveitis.[3][4]
Use
The Knabstrupper has long been used as a circus horse, and is well suited to driving and equestrian vaulting.Template:R It is also used in dressage, show-jumping and eventing.Template:R