Holsteiner

The Holsteiner originally hails from the Schleswig-Holstein area of northern Germany, which has been a breeding area since 1225. According to sources, it is probably the oldest of the warmblood breeds, going back to the 13^th century. While there are not many Holsteiners today, they perform very well in a various disciplines. The Holsteiner changed in the 19^th century due to the demand for a faster coach horse and for a lighter cavalry horse. Breeders added British stallions to the mix. Thus, the breed gained fame as a high-stepping carriage horse and resilient agricultural work horse. In the 1960s, Thoroughbreds entered the mix because of their athletic powers. The result was wonderful, as excellent sport horses were created. Other sport horse bloods were also used to enhance the breed. Today, the Holsteiner is highly demanded, particularly for its abilities in dressage and show jumping. Concerning its appearance, its coat comes in dark bay, black, brown, chestnut, and gray. When it comes to temperament, this breed ranges quite a bit. There is no definitive category when it comes to the temperament of this horse. There are all kinds of Holsteiners. Many of them, however, are dependable, bold, and well-balanced. Some may be great jumpers, but not good riders.