Lippizans are one of those breeds that are MUCH more capable than they look. They can be incredibly balanced, flexible, and SMART. They look like the “old grey horse” just standing about, but put a saddle on, and they “come together” ready for any request. Very agile, CAPABLE of many things. Bred to be the mount of kings and generals in war, have built-in ability, without too much in over-reactive behaviour. Used by working folks before they progressed up to the School, horses HAD to be usable with good brains. Those without brains, were not bred to pass it on.
Stallions EARNED the privilege of breeding, not used “just because of his bloodlines”, he had to PROVE that he was worthy of being a sire first. Went thru the Spanish School, used as a mount for the army. Obedient in ALL situations, capable absorbing the training required.
Mares were used for work at the stud farm, were the locomotion for carriages, farm vehicles that brought in the crops. They were under constant evaluation by the stud farm managers for brains, soundness, disposition, trainability, produce, good mothering skills. They had to be WORTHY of being the dams of the next generation, not just bred because they were mares. Mares and stallions were heavily culled to get the lovely animals we see now. Lesser animals were let go, removed from the gene pool. Just kept and bred the best ones.
Easy to miss the Lippizan out in the field, looks like an old plow horse resting. All those odd angles, large nose, flattish croup, not cute at all. No flash to be seen. Many folks won’t recognize a resting Lippizan if you point him out. But when they get it together, they can be quite marvelous under the direction of a skilled rider or driver.
George Bowman drove a four in CDE many years ago, sold them on to compete well under another driver. Europeans compete them fairly often driving. Shown in the old video, Horses in Sport, Driving. Might be available on Ebay.
I would call them more a “horseman’s horse” for the knowledgeable rider to handle. Their abilty, non-pretty looks would not be able to be used, recognized or appreciated by the less knowlegeable or skilled rider.
