Home » Lipizzaner

Lipizzaner

by Jil Wiedemann
0 comment

Lipizzaners, the white horses of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, are the embodiment of elegance and grace. For over 200 years, the stallions have been performing their displays under glittering chandeliers in the world’s oldest riding academy. The Lipizzaner breed has always been associated with royalty and nobility, and today, many more riders are able to acquire these lovely horses and appreciate their qualities. Not only are they beautiful to watch, but also very versatile, thanks to the Lippizaner conformation and temperament.

Lipizzaner – History and Origins

The foundation of the Lipizzaner or Lippizaner breed dates back to the sixteenth century. The early history of the Lippizaner is a tale of two royal brothers and their intention to create a noble horse that represented the future of horse breeding. The brothers were members of the Habsburg family, which was one of the most powerful ruling dynasties in Europe. Their father was Emperor Ferdinand II. 

During their lifetimes, there would be many changes in horse types as new breeds emerged. Writers began to produce books about equestrianism and the horses of various nations. New training methods were being developed. Trainers began to use a type of arena called a manège. Beginning in Hungary, a new kind of horse-drawn transport, the coach was revolutionizing the way people traveled between cities. Both brothers knew that the best horses to use for their studs were those of the Spanish and Neapolitan breeds

These horses had a great reputation as war horses across Europe. They were able to make the transition between the days of knights in armor to the new light and heavy cavalry that was increasingly in demand. The eldest brother, Maximilian II, established his stud in 1562, at Kladrub in Bohemia. By 1580, his brother, Archduke Charles, also known as Karl, had created the Lipica (Lipizza) stud outside Trieste. This was then part of the Austrian Empire and is today in Slovenia. Although essentially starting with the same type of foundation stock, the studs developed in somewhat different ways. 

The horses of Kladrub became known as useful coach horses, eventually becoming the Kladruber breed. The horses at Lipizza were lighter and more suited to riding iand carriage work. They became known as the Lipizzan breed or Lippizaners. The future for elite military men lay in the cavalry, and the Lippizaners changed according to changing needs. Stallions of other breeds, such as the Arabian horse, were used to produce the right kind of horses.

 A wooden riding school appears to have existed in Vienna at least as early as 1572. The beautiful riding school that exists today opened in 1735. It became a center for classical horsemanship using the methods of Pluvinel and other masters.

Lipizzan horses for sale

What are Lipizzaner Horses used for?

Lippizaners are known as classical dressage horses. They take part in dressage to music and baroque performances. However, they are very versatile horses, which can participate in a range of activities, and make excellent family horses.

The War-Torn History of the Lipizzaners

These lovely white horses have not lived a peaceful existence over the centuries. In 1915, the horses were moved away from Lipizza to Kladrub and Laxenburg in Austria. After WWI, Lippiza was allocated to Italy. A new stud farm was set up at Piber, which is in Austria, and this remains the location of the Lippizaner stud today. For a time, during WWII, the horses were sent to Hostau in Czechoslovakia for their safety. 

There, they were in the hands of the German army. However, they were not safe from the Soviet Red Army’s advance in 1945, and it was then that the horses had their most dramatic adventure. In order to save them, the German officer asked for help from the American army unit under General Patton. Many of the mares were in-foal, and others had foals at foot. The mission to rescue them, organized by Patton and Colonel Alois Podhajsky of the Spanish Riding School, became known as “Operation Cowboy.”

 It has been the subject of several books, and more than one movie. Over the years, as well as threats from conflict, the stud farms have suffered outbreaks of serious disease and even an earthquake. However, they have survived, and continue to delight audiences with their displays of classical horsemanship, including the skilled “airs above the ground.”

How much does a Lipizzaner cost?

It is possible to buy a Lippizaner for under $10,000, but mostly they will cost over $20,000.

Lipizzaners: Stallion and Mare Lines

Eight lines, descending from stallions of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, are recognized as foundational to the breed. The first six are known as the classical dynasties:

  • Pluto is acknowledged to have begun the original stallion line. He was born in 1765 at the famous Danish Frederiksborg Stud. His descendants were excellent coach horses.
  • Conversano, born in 1767, came from Italy and was a dark brown Neapolitan stallion.
  • Neapolitano was another brown Neapolitan born in 1790.
  • Favory, born in 1779, was from the Kladruby Stud.
  • Maestoso, one of the most famous stallions, was born in 1773.
  • Siglavy was an Arabian stallion, born in 1810 in Syria and brought to the stud.
  • Tulipan is the founder of a Croatian line, from the Terezovac stud, which was famed for strong, swift carriage and coach horses.
  • Incitato came from Transylvania and was born in 1802.

Just as importantly, a number of mare lines are acknowledged. There are over 50 of these, originating throughout the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and Austria. The origins of some of the mares were even further afield. Miss Wood, for instance, is listed among the Croatian mare families and was imported from Ireland.

Lipizzaner: four horses with rider

The Lipizzaners have a long history and tradition. The location of the Lipizzaner stud is in Austria

Conformation

Lippizaners are compact horses, standing between 14.2 hands (58 inches/147 cm) and 15.2 hands (62 inches/157 cm) high. They weigh up to 1500 lb. They have great presence and charisma. Their profiles are straight or convex and they have large eyes. Their necks arch impressively when they are collected. Legs and joints are strong, and their muscles are powerful. 

They have short, strong backs and powerful quarters. They are categorized among the Baroque breeds and in many ways, they epitomize this type of horse. They are bred to have the conformation that enables them to carry out the demanding movements of the Spanish Riding School. They move with athleticism and have elastic paces.

 

Video of Lipizzan horse

Characteristics of the Lipizzaner

The classic image of the Lipizzaner is a pure white horse. However, they all start out as foals with black coats and lighten with age. In centuries past, Lipizzaners had various coat colors, but today, there are few that are not gray. A taller type of Lippizaner, more suitable for carriage and coach work, descends from specific stallion lines. As well as performing various Haute Ecole (high school) dressage movements, the elite riding horses of the Spanish Riding School are trained to perform airs above the ground. It takes great talent and training to carry these out successfully. They include:

  • Levade and pesade, in which the horse raises its forelegs from the ground to 45% (pesade) and 30-35% degrees (levade).
  • The croupade and the ballotade, two leaping movements, which are preparatory to the capriole.
  •  The capriole, in which the horse jumps straight into the air before kicking out its back legs powerfully.
  • The courbette, in which the horse raises its forehand, and with them tucked up, hops along the ground on its back legs.
Lipizzaner: White mare with dark foal

Lipizzaner are white horse but they all start out as foals with black coats and lighten with age

Breeding and Uses of Lipizzaners

Lipizza and Piber are still the most important stud farms. There are several others throughout Europe, as well as private breeders right across the globe. The population is reasonably healthy, with just under 12,000 purebred Lipizzaners in the world. In Lipizza and Piber, the mares, foals, and youngsters live as natural a life as possible before the youngstock is selected for training.

As well as their roles in the Spanish Riding School, Lippizaners are a popular choice for many kinds of show and display. They are used in dressage, as carriage horses, and they make superb riding horses.

How long does a Lipizzaner live?

Lippizaners are very long-lived horses, and they remain healthy and active into their late twenties and even thirties.

Lipizzan Horse – Health and Behavior

On the whole, these are extremely healthy, long-lived horses. However, like many gray horses, they are at increased risk of melanoma. They have excellent temperaments and are known for their intelligence and willingness.

Leave a Comment

* Mit der Nutzung der Kommentarfunktion erklärst Du Dich mit der Speicherung und Verarbeitung Deiner Daten durch diese Website einverstanden.