Hi everyone, this is a post mostly for fun, but does anyone own or have owned in the past a Knabstrupper? I have been in love with them since I was like 10 and I saw them in the horse and ponies big book of breeds I’m sure we have all read. I recently saw a couple for sale in Canada, but I’m located in the US. I tried doing a quick Google search but there doesn’t seem to be many breeders or info on them here in the US. I would love to own one some day. Does anyone know of a breeder here in the US? Thanks for any info on this beautiful breed!
Colorado Skrodstrup is the only Knab stallion I know of in the US. You might try contacting his owners and seeing if they know of any of his get available. I’ve seen babies of his periodically on Warmbloods for Sale.
It’s really easy to import a horse from Canada though, so I wouldn’t look at that as a barrier. Price is likely to be better too.
Google is your friend.
Just a quick search turned up Cedar Creek Stables in VA.
They breed & sell domestic as well as imports.
Listings show everything from yearlings to 9yos.
I agree with you they are super cute but I only know one and he has like 1 small marble rolling around where his brain should be. Probably the spookiest, hottest horse I have ever seen around a barn. I’ve seen him levitate all 4 feet off the ground on a regular basis, and that’s just walking to and from turnout.
That said this is only one horse and he gets minimal turnout in a small paddock so take this with a big grain of salt.
2 Likes
Thanks guys, I did see cedar creek stables but their web page didn’t look it has been updated since 2017 so I didn’t look at it too much.
I’ll have to keep my eyes open on the warmblood sales page!
@SeeSpotEvent Here on COTH has two brothers from Cedar Creek Stables and both are really nice horses! Great brains, athletic, quality movement, etc.
I have loved them since I was about 10 too.
There were spotted horses at the Danish court in the 15/16th century, supposedly from Spanish blood, but the Knabstrubber was really an early 19th century invention, based on one foundation mare, that became popular. As a result of the extremely limited gene pool the breed had almost disappeared by the 20th century but in the early 1970s some Appys were used to reinvigorate it. Basically, I would see the modern Knabstrubber as a warmblood with spots: the Danes breed good horses.
1 Like
I have a 2013 Knabstrupper gelding - I bought him as an unstarted colt, in early 2016. I had him gelded (which was a bit of a hard decision, as they are a rare breed and he has some interesting Hannoverian bloodlines on the dam side, but I really am not in a position to deal with a stallion) and started him in late 2016.
Over the years he has been really a joy to work with. He certainly has had some teenager moments, but in the last year his ability to focus on the task at hand instead of shiny, distracting things and make grown up choices has improved considerably. He has always been very “honest” in his shenanigans - exuberant, but quick to come back under control, and the one time I came off he stopped and turned around and looked at me like “wait - why’d you get off?”
He has been to numerous off-property events: done cow sorting twice, working equitation clinics, trail rides, water crossings (loves to play in water), and shows. We are currently working 1st level. He’ll hack around the property alone. I can ride him bareback. I can ride him in the arena while they are watering the track outside the arena and he doesn’t care. He is quite tolerant of my amateur mistakes. He is super people-oriented and is a bit of a clown - he loves to play with toys in his stall and in turnout and is easily bored. He gets along well with other horses.
Colorado Skrodstrup is in CO. Melyni Worth at Cedar Creek in VA stands a couple of stallions and usually has young stock and horses under saddle for sale. Karri Henning has Altamont Sport Horses in Alabama. Diane and Pat Truxillo are in Southern CA and have Pegasus, plus some mares and young horses. There are actually quite a few Pegasus babies (now grown horses) in SoCal. I know I am missing a few others. Your best bet is to join the FB group “Knabstrupper Breeders Network” - that has more up to date postings of horses available than most of the farm pages and is pretty active I have seen some recent posts for horses for sale, but as I am not currently looking I don’t recall where they were located.
They seem to do quite well at eventing and dressage, and the ponies, which are popular in Europe do all the driving events.
@polkadotedpony - I’m surprised to hear your characterization of the one you know. Most of the ones I am familiar with are pretty level headed and clever, although any breed can have good and bad examples and as you said, poor handling creates a lot of behavior problems as well.
1 Like
I suppose the Morgan breed is then a late 18th century invention, based on one foundation horse, based on your definition.
The KnabstruPPer breed has been brought back through the use of various breeds, including a VERY few Appaloosas, Trakehner, Hanoverian, Andalusian, and Thoroughbred blood to expand the gene pool. There are three recognized types of Knabstrupper - Classic, which is more of a Baroque type, Sport, which is closer to the modern warmblood in build, and ponies, which are largely bred for driving.
2 Likes
Greenstone Farm in VA has a lovely weanling colt for sale. Quite a nice mover.
There was a gorgeous Knabstrupper stallion I saw once at a schooling dressage show in Norco, CA. It was one of the most magnificent animals I’ve ever seen. I’m slightly in love with the breed.
1 Like
Do you have any pictures of your boy? I would love to drool over him!
3 Likes
Was he mostly white (few spot)? It was likely Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof, the sire of my gelding :love-struck:. He is located in Anza, CA, not terribly far from Norco. He has been shown by para riders as well as able-bodied riders.
He’s gorgeous and look at that trot! Thank you for sharing!
2 Likes
He is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your experience so far with him! I love that you took him cow sorting!
2 Likes
Thank you for the advice, I’m going to look up that page and write down those names. I’m not looking right now but I desperately want to be in the near future.
1 Like
Avalon Equine stands Colorado Skodtrup and breeds. http://www.avalon-equine.com/ You can buy foals and in utero. I tried to breed to him and it didn’t work. Locally here is a gelding by him that I love and is 100% an FEI dressage prospect. I ended up judging him at a show and was stunned at how nice he was, among a show of very nice horses. He is super through, using his hind end well ( my marker for what to really look for in a dressage horse), has lovely paces, and has the carriage needed.
Yeah, I think that’s who it was. I was looking him up after I saw your post. Pegasus has a lovely head.
The horse at this show, was just magnificent. Very shiny and white.
I’m a little jealous that you have one.
Confetti Farms in Bakersfield, CA, which breeds sport horse type Appaloosas, did produce an Appy/Knabstrupper foal a couple of years ago. I imagine it has long since been sold, but you could check.
