Visiting German Stud Farms (Where and How?)

[xrmn002]

I’ll be in the Berlin area in a few weeks (first time in Germany). Does anyone have any recommendations on visiting stud farms in the surrounding areas? How does this typically work? I know they are not closely located, but I’m very interested in visiting the State Stud Celle and Paul Schockemohle’s facility but am not sure how this works. Do they allow visitors? What’s the best way to contact them? Let me know if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks!

[Manni01]

I would recommend Gestuet Bonhomme, which is in the outskirts of Berlin. This is a link http://www.gestuet-bonhomme.de/gestuet/ueber-uns/die-anlage/#prettyPhoto[media]/4/ it might not be as nice right now, because its Winter, but its a very impressive facility.
I was there for foal inspections.
Then of course you should visit the state studs Redefin http://www.state-stud.com/ and Neustadt/Dosse, http://www.neustaedter-gestuete.de/en which are both very impressive and full of traditions. And both are close to Berlin
Not sure how impressive the Lewitz stud is. Sure its huge but rather plain. Everything is useful, but not pretty. http://gestuet-lewitz.de/eng/the-lewitz-stud_eng/the-lewitz-stud/

You can probably call all of them to ask about how to organize a visit. They provide a contact number on their website. Celle is going to be a little further away from Berlin. I dont know whether you have a car, otherwise you could take a train.

[snowrider]

We took a train to the state studs. They were gorgeous and I highly recommend it. I learned a lot too.

[DownYonder]

I second Manni about Gestüt Bonhomme, and state studs Redefin and Neustadt/Dosse, since they are in the Berlin area.

Celle is over two hours away by car, so you should plan accordingly.

I would skip Schockemoehle’s breeding farm - it’s gigantic, with MANY horses, but mostly mares and youngsters. I would go instead to his training/stallion center in Mühlen, although that is even further from Berlin than Celle - close to 4 hours, I think. But if you want to see the Schockemoehle stallions, that is the place to go.

[Dan]

Totally agreed with what has been suggested so far! Just make sure you check the hours that they are open for guests to come in as these will vary.

[monami]

We did not see as much at Schockemoehle, you can see the stallions in their stalls but they do not want you to touch them. At Celle we saw many worked and they opened doors and we got to play with lots of them We also saw several under saddle. I have been to Sprehe, Sosath, and Lodbergen and saw stallions ridden there as well. We did this with the Hanoverian breeders course and the Oldenburg so I am sure either can help guide you.

[ellevt]

Celle is very nice, but it’s pretty far from Berlin. I would definitely recommend Neustadt-Dosse, a lovely little town and the Gestüt is absolutely gorgeous! It’s also, I would venture to guess, the most “public” of the state studs. Nice museums and horse demonstrations etc.

[Bachus]

I also agree with Neustadt Dosse! I was there two years ago. It depends on what side you are from Berlin but the Holsteiner Verband is also a four hour drive (when your navigation system is good and sends you over the Autobahn…).