Knabstrupper
The Knabstrupper originates in Denmark and is known for its spotted coat coloration.
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Perissodactyla
Family - Equidae
Genus - Equus
Species & Subspecies – E. ferus caballus
Common Names – Knabstrupper, Knabstrup
The Knabstrupper is a warmblood horse breed, primarily used for riding and harness-pulling.
They are known for being fast learners who are eager to please. They are friendly and typically enjoy the company of people.
The Knabstrupper is known for its spotted coat coloration. Not all Knabstruppers feature this coloration, but it’s the most often encountered coat. The horse typically features dark spots on a white coat, much like a Dalmatian dog.
They usually stand between five and five and a half feet at the shoulder.
The breed traces its history back to a mare from Spain, dubbed “Flaebe’s horse” after its owner, a butcher who purchased the horse from a Spanish army officer.
The horse was eventually sold to Willars Knudsen Lunn, who lived in a manor called Knabstrup Hovedgård in Denmark. The horse was bred with a stallion from a breed called Frederiksborger, and their offspring became the foundation of the Knabstrupper breed. Later, Appaloosas, Danish Warmbloods, Holsteiners and Trakehners were cross-bred to add new traits into the breed.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the breed existed in very low numbers, leading to inbreeding. In the 1970s, Appaloosas were brought to Denmark to help diversify the breed stock.
Knabstruppers are often used in riding and equestrian sports, including dressage and show jumping events.