History: Knabstruppers are one of the oldest breed registries in Europe. It is believed that they originated from pre-history spotted horses in Spain (the same horses that established the Appaloosa). The breed as we know it today started in 1812 with a chestnut blanket mare from the Spanish calvary. She was purchased by a Danish butcher named Flaeb and became known as Flaebhoppen, which literally means "Flaeb's mare." From there, she was sold to a Major Villars Lunn, who owned an estate called "Knabstrupgaard" in Denmark. Flaebhoppen was bred to a Fredricksborg stallion and produced a loudly colored colt. Both mare and colt were bred multiple times to produce the Knabstrupper breed, which became the most desired horse in Europe.

Unfortunately, the quality of the breed declined around 1870, when inbreeding and a devastating stable fire took it's toll. The breed was saved in 1971 when fresh Appaloosa blood was reintroduced. By that time, Knabstruppers had become quite rare.

Knabstruppers were not brought to North America until 2002, when a Texan couple set out to find Appaloosa and warmblood mares that would be acceptable to the RPSI as foundation mares for Knabstruppers in America. The mares they found were inspected, accepted, and bred to Apollon, the premier Knabstrupper stallion of the time. The first Knabstrupper foal in North America was born on April 1, 2002 and was called American Beauty.

Coloring: At first glance, the most striking thing about the Knabstrupper is it's coloring: most likely large, stark spots scattered across a white coat. Knabstruppers carry the leopard gene, most commonly seen in Appaloosas. In fact, the breed displays the same color patterns as the Appaloosa horse. Leopard Knabstruppers can have black, bay, or chestnut spots. However, the breed is not limited to the leopard pattern; Knabstruppers can also display patterns such as blanket, snowflake, snowcap, and few spot. The range of colors and patterns displayed by Knabstruppers is so wide that registries have only a few color-based restrictions: the greying gene is not allowed, and there must be skin colored spots around the mouth and nostrils.

Conformation: Another unique characteristic of the breed is the fact that there are three distinct types of Knabstruppers with their own build.
Warmblood Knabstruppers have a slim, athletic build. This type was created by crossing the original Knab breed with the Danish Warmblood and the Trakehner. Sport Horse Knabs excell in dressage, eventing, and show jumping.
Baroque Knabstruppers are the classic Knabstruppers. These Knabs have a broad build, with thicker necks, shorter legs, and larger hooves. They work well pulling carriages and are popular as performance horses in circuses.
Pony Knabstruppers are just as their type suggests: Knabstrupper ponies. These are short Knabstruppers, under 14 hands, and are popular with children.

Check out the Knabstrupper breed embassy!

Height: 15.2 to 16 h (Pony: under 14.2 h)

Weight: 1150 pounds

Coat Colors: Black, gray, bay, chestnut appaloosa

Markings: Leopard Appaloosa most common; can also be solid or any other type of Appaloosa

Conformation: Warmblood, Baroque, and Pony

Common Uses: General riding, dressage, show jumping, carriage drawing, endurance, circus work

Temperament: Friendly, energetic, agreeable, hard working

Place of Origin: Denmark