The Holstein horse breed comes from the land of Schleswig-Holstein, located in northern Germany. The breed is considered one of the oldest half-breeds in Europe. The first mention of the Holstein breed of horses are found in the XIII century.
History
The breed originated in the swamps, which dried up under constantly blowing winds. Wet, viscous soil in a few hours turned into solid earth, similar to concrete. Holsteins have been known in this area since the first century AD. But they were small horses, well adapted to living in swamps.
Holsteins were used for work on the farm and in harness and were among the light draft breeds. The systematic breeding of the breed began in the XIV century in the Utezen monastery. Considering that in those days the monks were the most literate part of the population of the country, they were able to breed with the correct consideration of the origin of horses and the selection of offspring.
In the Middle Ages, horses were needed for knightly cavalry, which means that small native horses did not fit the purpose of breeding and they had to be enlarged. It is most likely that modern Holstein horses originate from a mixture of Germanic, Spanish and Oriental breeds mixed with local livestock.
Later, the knightly cavalry came to naught and light cavalry entered the battlefield, needing not massive, but slow and quickly exhausted horses, but fast, hardy and agile. At that time, Spanish and Neapolitan horses with lamb profiles and high-set necks were considered the best. The Holsteins were given the blood of these breeds. As a result, even the Spanish king Philip II willingly bought them. After the Protestant Reform, the monks were removed from breeding horses.
The early Holstein horses looked something like this: bay color with a minimum of markings and the “baroque” type.
In the 1719th century, the Holstein breed became very popular as carriage and heavy draft horses. For the transportation of heavy loads, Holstein horses with a massive skeleton were used. In XNUMX the state took notice of the breed and offered awards for the best Holstein stallions.
This was the birth of modern pedigree kerungs. To qualify for the award, a Holstein stallion had to be at least 157 cm at the withers. Applicant must be between 4 and 15 years of age. And in the previous year, at least 15 foals should have been obtained from this stallion. In 1735, 12 black Holstein stallions were purchased for the plant in Celle, which formed the basis of the future Hanoverian breed.
XNUMXth century
The development of scientific and technological progress has led to changes in European horse breeding. Massive “baroque” horses were replaced by light and fast English Thoroughbreds, which were used to improve local breeds.
The development of a network of improved roads and railways involved long journeys on horseback. Accordingly, the emphasis began to be placed on elegant light-drawn horses. To lighten the backbone of Holsteins, Cleveland Bay and Yorkshire post horses were imported from Great Britain.
Yorkshires were distinguished by large growth and good endurance.
Cleveland bays were horses of traveling traders. Today they are high quality draft horses widely used in driving.
The same factors that made it possible to build railroad tracks and improve road surfaces also affected horse breeding. In 1860, a state horse farm was established in Travental. As with other public breeding centers in Travental, owners of private mares were given wide access to high quality stallions. The Duke of Augustenburg paid particular attention to the importation of small Thoroughbred stallions, encouraging local residents to use them.
In 1885, a breeding program for Holstein horses was drawn up. A graceful but strong draft horse with strong bones and powerful muscles was required. At the same time, Holstein had to have all the qualities of a heavy riding horse.
The first Stud Book was founded by Georg’s economic adviser in 1891. He also helped found the Elmshorn Riding and Carriage School, which is today the headquarters of the Holstein Horse Owners’ Union.
Twentieth Century
The twentieth century again abruptly turned the direction of breeding the Holstein breed. At the beginning of the century, it took a mass of powerful horses capable of carrying heavy artillery. Holsteins were “weighted”, and the breed flourished. After the Second World War, there were 10 thousand breeding mares. But already in the early 60s, this number fell by a third. Farmers gave up breeding horses, and the Travental State Breeding Center was disbanded. But instead of letting the breed die, the Board of Directors of the Tribal Union again completely changed the direction of the breed.
Several Thoroughbreds and French stallions were purchased to quickly change the breed to market requirements. Holstein horses were significantly lightened. Horses have become more mobile, taller, lighter and more jumpy. This was especially important, since the kingdom of men in horseback riding had finally ended by that time and women and girls increasingly began to ride horses as a leisure activity. Accordingly, beautiful and elegant horses were required.
The breeding structure has also changed. Artificial insemination has become widely used, so the stallions are in the central nursery of the Union in Elmshorn, and the mares are left with small farmers for whom horse breeding is a hobby, not a business.
Exterior
The modern physical characteristics of the Holstein horse breed are such that they can compete very successfully in classic equestrian sports at the highest levels.
Holstein’s height is 1,65-1,75 m. The head is large, with a straight profile and expressive eyes. Wide ganaches. The neck is of medium length, powerful. Well developed muscular withers. Powerful croup, allowing Holstein to push well on the jump. Strong legs with large joints. Large round hooves. The color of the Holstein horse can be bay, black, gray or red. Brown and nightingales are excluded from breeding.
Pied Holsteins are also culled.
Holsteins are people-oriented, collaborative and stress-resistant. All this makes the breed particularly suitable for beginners and insecure riders.
Using
The ability of the Holsteins to jump was discovered back in the 30s of the last century, but this ability began to be seriously developed only after the Second World War. At that time, more and more show jumpers began to appear on horses of the Holstein breed. At the 1956 Olympics, Fritz Tiedemann on the Holstein gelding Meteor won team gold in show jumping. In 2008 Heinrich Romeik on Holstein Marius won the gold medal in Beijing.
In the photo, a horse of the Holstein breed during the passage of the route of the “hunting” show jumping.
This sport is well suited for those who are unwilling or unable to jump high hurdles. In the “hunting” show jumping, the main thing is not the height, but the correct passage of the route.
Some Holsteins are still used as harness in driving.
Although the main field of modern use of Holsteins is show jumping, they also perform well in dressage. They do not reach Olympic heights in this sport. But wide free movements allow them to successfully compete at the amateur level.
Reviews
Conclusion
The selection of the Holstein breed of horses, aimed at the desire for cooperation, has borne fruit. Today, Holsteins are one of the most obedient and calm breeds of horses. And since the main scope of their application is jumping, where the horse is required not only to follow the rider’s commands, but also to calculate a lot on its own, this is also one of the most intellectually developed breeds. A correctly chosen Holstein horse will become a good companion for walks and a faithful companion in competitions.