HORSES OF THE WORLD
| KNABSTRUP
Origin: |
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History:
The Knabstrup originated from Spanish horses dating back to the Napoleonic
Wars. The Danish butcher Flaebe bought a spotted mare who possessed great strength and was
extremely fast and he named her Flaebehoppen. Her next owner, Judge Lunn, founded a line
of spotted horses by breeding her to Fredriksborgs and named them Knabstrup after
his estate. The spotted horses were less substantial than the Fredriksborg but were sound
and tough and their unusual markings made them popular with the circus. In America a
Knabstrup horse, wearing a protective harness, performed with a large Bengal Tiger riding
on its back.
Crossings back to the Fredriksborg reduced the number of pure bred Knabstrup.
Characteristics:
variable conformation
Head: intelligent, kind expression; mottled skin coloring on
lips and muzzles
Mane and Tail: sparse
Color: predominantly white with black or brown spots of
varying size all over body, head and legs
Height: 15.2 to 16hh
Temperament: kind, intelligent
Qualities: sound, tough, easy to train
Today:
The Knabstrup has a remarkable talent as a circus horse and is a popular
performer.
