American Holsteiner Horse Association Inc.

The Holsteiner horse originated in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Northern Germany and is the product of a systematic breeding program that originated over 700 years ago. Early breeding of the Holsteiner horse was conducted by the monasteries of the region, with special emphasis on producing an elegant riding and carriage horse that could also work the fields in the harsh climate of the area. Following the Reformation, breeding initiatives fell to the state and to the individual farmers. Great pride was taken in selecting the best quality mares and stallions and in keeping accurate breeding records. Numbers, called stamms or stems, were assigned to each new mare line and were passed down through the generations from mother to daughter. This practice is still in existence today. Holsteiner breeders have always been blessed with visionaries who recognized the outstanding traits of the breed, but who were not afraid to bring in new bloodlines to adapt their horses to the changing needs of the market. The elegant driving horses of the 1800's were produced through infusions of Yorkshire Coach Horse and Cleveland Bay from the importation of stallions of those breeds. In response to the shift toward the breeding of horses especially suited to the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping, the Holsteiner Verband brought in English Thoroughbred, Anglo Arab and Selle Francais stallions to modernize the Holsteiner type. The modern Holsteiner is of medium frame and stands 16 to 17 hands, with a powerful hind leg, strong back and loin. His arched neck rises from a well angled shoulder to a small head with a large intelligent eye. This conformation adapts easily to "self carriage"- that expressive, elegant quality so essential in modern equestrian sport. When the Holsteiner begins to move his reputation as one of the world's finest sport horses is understood.