Holstein for sale

Origin and history of breeding Holsteins

The modern Holstein is a warmblood. This means it carries the genes of horses that are described as hot-blooded, such as the Arab horse, as well as “cold-blooded” ancestry from northern European types. Horses from Holstein played a key role throughout some of Europe’s most troubled times. As with so many European breeds, some of the earliest ancestors of the Holstein were probably wild or semi-feral stock, running in the marshes alongside the Elbe River. The recorded history of a breed here begins with a reference in 1285 to horses bred by monks, who were given permission to graze their horses on land near their monastery at Uetersen. In the 1300s, there is a record of a donation by the monks of two young horses to the local landowners at Neumünster. Monastic bred horses for warfare were an important part of the European economy. During the 16th and 17th centuries, as Neapolitan and Spanish warhorses gradually replaced medieval destriers, breeders in Schleswig-Holstein adapted and thrived. A royal stud was established at Esserom by Christian V in the 17th century, and the famous white horses began to be bred. In the early 1800s, with a demand for carriage and coach horses increasing, Yorkshire Coach Horse stallions were imported. For much of their history, Schleswig and Holstein were independent duchies. When Prussia annexed them in the 19th century, the Prussians established the Traventhal Stud. Today, the German Holsteiner Verband strictly controls the quality of the breed, and the results speak for themselves, with Holstein horses consistently performing and winning at Olympic level.

Holsteins in equestrianism

During the 19th and 20th centuries, horses of many breeds, including the grey Anglo-Arab Ramzes AA, the TB Cottage Son XX, and the Selle Français Cor de la Bryére, contributed to the breeding programme. The history of the Holstein horse is a textbook example of how experienced breeders successfully adapt to meet changing needs.