It looks like I’ll probably be in Europe this summer and was wondering if anyone had recommendations or advice about visiting some of the German Landgestüte. Which was your favorite and what sort of tours/demos/educational things do they offer? Anyone know of any special events/shows going on in late July that would be worth going to? There is just so much to see and do that I’m hoping to narrow it down a bit!
I thought it is in July, but June in any case worth a visit ! This is something you will not finde anywhere else:
http://www.chioaachen.de/de/?erid=1355982433582328302&zanpid=1716718701518480384
The statestuds have their stallions out in the breeding stations during season and only a few “left”. I am not sure if they do some sort of touristic tours, but one could ask in advance. Worth a visit definetely Celle as it has also the medievial town to look at.
And one of the eastern german ones renovated for a looooot of our tax money :-(( : They seem to do it with a touristic touch.
http://www.sbhlg.org/tourismus
You might look up this one…
http://www.festspiele-mv.de/Spielstaetten/Redefin_Landgestuet
Also East Germany, also renovated for millions of tax money, beautiful, and this event is at the End of July, which might fit into your schedule
I’m not so sure what the “tax” comments are supposed to imply, but there are FAR worse ways to “waste” our money than with stud farms that have an important place in both culture and society. I spoke with Dr. Kerber at Redefiin in length this past summer about just that and she told me that she applied for, and received a grant from the EU to do most of the rebuidling at Redefin.
That is one of my favorite places to see as far as State Studs go - it’s simply beautiful and they have a lot of cool events staged througout the year (that actually bring back money, I know … strange concept 
Another really fantastic place to be is Ganschow, not a State Stud, but what a place to hang out and do some serious horse-watching. It’s also in the East and just wonderful in late summer. www.gestuet-ganschow.de
I also recommend Graditz - situated in a beautiful city on the Elbe (Torgau), historically very relevant, great sightseeing, and a fantastic old Stud which specializes in TBs and WBs.
If you like the mountains, check out Schwaiganger in Bavaria - the scenery is amazing, it literally sits at the foot of the Alps, and there is plenty of horse flesh there to admire.
have fun!!
Go to PS’s! Not a ‘state stud’ but wow…will give you an interesting dose of equestrian…! Some of the nicest horses in the world, and they are quite friendly there.
The Holst Verband was also quite interesting.
Neither are as beautiful as the other suggestions, but well worth a trip.
[QUOTE=goodmorning;6729297]
Go to PS’s! Not a ‘state stud’ but wow…will give you an interesting dose of equestrian…! Some of the nicest horses in the world, and they are quite friendly there.
The Holst Verband was also quite interesting.
Neither are as beautiful as the other suggestions, but well worth a trip.[/QUOTE]
Doesn’t PS have more than one stallion station? And if so, which do you suggest visiting?
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far!
If you are going to be in Lower Saxony, make sure to visit the state stud at Adelheidsdorf. It’s right off the road to Celle, which you must visit for its beauty. Celle is also home to that famous statue of the rearing horse. In the area also is Verden, home of the Hannoverian auctions and the Museum of the Horse. There are always shows going on at the facility in Verden.
I am jealous! I have been to the stud many times, just walked right in the barn. There are all the world-famous stallions; I saw Weltmeier, Werther, Esprit, DeNiro…I can’t remember all of them. They let us sit and watch them work the horses. Amazing.
If you will be close to Stuttgart you have to go to Marbach.
https://www.landwirtschaft-bw.info/servlet/PB/menu/1196171/index.html
The link will take you to where all the info is about the different breeds of horses there etc. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
If you do go to Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) give LowerSaxony_Jumper a heads up and she can tell you all the good shopping.
[QUOTE=bluemoonfarms;6729872]
If you will be close to Stuttgart you have to go to Marbach.
https://www.landwirtschaft-bw.info/servlet/PB/menu/1196171/index.html
The link will take you to where all the info is about the different breeds of horses there etc. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.[/QUOTE]
I second this - especially if you are traveling with non-horsey people. If you are athletic, you can take the train to Bad Urach in the morning, and hike up onto the plateau, where Marbach is located. This is a pretty serious hike (4+ hours or so round trip). Visit the stud, then hike back down. In the town itself, you can then visit the baths (hence “Bad”), and from the outdoor pools, you can look up at the castle ruins on the hill. There is also a lovely waterfall.
Although, if you are planning to visit state studs, then you may be also planning to rent a car, in which case driving is a lot easier. Still, placate the non-horsey friends with the castles, waterfalls, and baths.
If you go to Marbach, I recommend staying in Tübingen.
