Horses : KNABSTRUPPER

Origin : Denmark

Australian Status:

International Status:

Arrived in Australia : 2000's

Australian Population: 4 mares 3 stallions -2017
Unable to get 2019 or 2020 census.

If you are able to assist us with 2022 numbers,  please contact Janet Lane: rarebreeds.equine@gmail.com ... asked in the Australian Knabstupper facebook group, June 2022...  Appear to be many first generation (F1) crosses, two stallions and a total of twenty pure on one property which imported the first stallion - presume mares, geldings, stallions?

2022 estimate: four stallions, nine mares. A Fredricksborg stallion registered here, mid 2022, thank you Zoe A for the info.

The number of F1's mean there may be upgrading going on now and or in the future, and Fs's enter the studbook with Knabstruppers now (KNN).

History: Spotted horses had been popular in Denmark, as with many countries and the Royal courts of Europe during the middles ages. By 1641 a stud in Denmark was famous for the "Tiger Horses"  of this colour. However by the end of the eighteenth century, the colour they were known for - the spotting patterns - had disappeared, its thought swamped out by the grey gene. A mare named Flaebe was bought from a Spanish officer in Denmark during the Napoleonic wars. She went to a butcher. From the butcher she was bought by Villars Lunn of the manor house Knabstrupgaard. She was red with white mane and tail, snowflakes on the body and a rump blanket of brown spots. She was put to work. At 15 years old she did a mercy gallop to fetch a doctor for Villers. The horse she went with broke down, but Flaebe did the 30 miles and was back at work in the morning. All her foals were spotted. She was covered by a Fredericksborg horse, and the progeny, a colt, went on to become Flaebe stallion - the start of the Knabstrupper breed. He was said to have 20 colours and was iridescent. Mikkel was another of her foals to become a successful stallion, working carriage horse and also race horse until he was 16. He was by his half-brother Flaebe stallion. The breed was kept outdoors, so became hardy. Another stallion also named Mikkel, came in from Russia about 1902. "Tiger coloured" he went into the breed an threw about 50% spotted foals, becoming an important founder of the breed.

In the Schleswig War 1848-50 it was found their bright colour made them targets, the officers riding them being shot. Despite a fire at the original farm killing many of the breed, then inbreeding leading to problems, the breed survived and became popular, particularly for circuses. In 1947 the breed association was formed for them in Denmark. They went into decline post war, as with most horse breeds, hastened by the formation of a Danish "sport-horse" association - always fatal to breeds. The Knabstupper was absorbed into this and almost lost again.  In 1971 three Appaloosa stallions were brought into Denmark by Frede Nielsen to revitalise the breed. Trakehner, Holstein and Danish Warmblood were also used. The Trakehner was preferred because it was also a good trotter (carriage horse). Some breeders developed a pony line of spotted horses for children. Outcrossing to other breeds however is allowed with the exception of grey and pinto coloured horses. Pale pinto horses (the patches other than white being a pale colour such as palomino) are not allowed to be registered.

Chris Howe of Mooroopna imported the first Knabstuppers to Australia, according to an entry on a horse forum by a former show judge named Bev, who knew him.

Breed traits: Known for their spots. A 'baroque' breed of substance, beauty and good action. Active, willing, good natured. Hooves are striped or white. White eye sclera. Speckled skin around muzzle, breech. Various spotting patterns from leopard to snowflake. A solid coloured foal is occasionally born. With DNA testing now, those dominant (homozygous) for spots, of some patterns, can be identified. It's thought the spotting pattern in horses goes back to prehistoric days as a form of camouflage.

No wall eyes permitted, no rat tails. From 2021 dilutes allowed - this may change the blye eyes ryling, and rat tails etc. Adding Sporthorses (TB crosses basically), Ponies and Miniatures also seems to have spelled the end for this ancient breed. The modern story of an organisation losing sight of their purpose and catering to the uneducated and unintelligent. Thus we've lost many breeds. F3 now enter the studbook as pure with Knabstruppers. Within 20 years/one generation of signifigant numebrs of these in the studbook, that will dilute the true lines past return.

Uses: Riding, harness, dressage, jumping, circus.

Breed Organisation: None in Australia. Knabstrupper Moon stud in Western Australia also imported the first Knabstrupper to Australia, Tresaison Numero Uno (KNN registered). 
Timeesa Stud in Western Australia and Cayuse Sportaloosa stud in Manilla, NSW, all stand Knabstrupper stallions. Possibly other studs, will update as found.

Photo: Xantos, Danish Knabstrupper, by Melyni Worth, WikiMedia Commons
 

Additional Notes: 

It appears the Danish studbook and the UK studbook allow outcrossing to a signifigant degree now. After three generations the horse is entered into the studbook. They have gone into four types - Sporthorse (a classification which has led to the end of may old breeds), Baroque, Pony (!) and Miniature (lordy lordy - let the Palouse and Miniatures do the small thing with spots - and Palouse have a wonderfully good nature, hardiness). Once, KNN meant the horse passed a high standard and was bred as a Knabstrupper. Now it might be a third cross. 

Is becoming a breed known only for spots now? Or will those too disappear? The bone is certainly going... 

Rules of the KNN (Danish Stud Book), English translation, includes Standard

Lists the many breeds allowed for outcrossing, several themselves no longer breeds for exactly the same reason, and the utter irony of Welsh B being used, and Riding Ponies (not a breed) but Cobs not allowed...    A good explanation of the grading process 

Page by Janet Lane

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