Origin of the Breed
Lipizzan Characteristics
Lipizzan Stallion LinesThe Lipizzan, or Lipizzaner as they are also correctly labeled, is an ancient breed of horse possessing a natural cadence and rhythm under saddle. The Lipizzaner is widely known as the horse of the world-renowned Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria.
The history of the Lipizzaner is fascinating, and the breed was almost driven to extinction on a number of occasions due to wars in Europe, most recently during World War II. Were it not for the heroic efforts of General George Patton of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Group, the last of the Lipizzans surely would have perished at the hands of the Soviet troops as they invaded northern Austria. General Patton and his troops enacted a daring rescue to save a number of stallions, mares, and foals that had fallen behind enemy lines. Those 250 horses were all that was left in the world, but the royal Lipizzan breed had escaped decimation. This royal breed survived to continue bringing joy to those lucky enough to have their lives touched by one.
The Lipizzan is very rare, but what it lacks in numbers, it most certainly makes up for in popularity and rideability. Lipizzan horses excel in dressage, especially at the upper levels. Most Lipizzans are outstanding in competition and in upper level movements such as piaffe, passage, and canter pirouettes, with a brilliance not usually seen in other breeds. These abilities are inborn to the Lipizzan.
They excel not only as driving and dressage horses, but for jumping, cutting, reining, endurance, trail, vaulting, and of course for pleasure. They are used extensively for handicapped riding programs because of their level-headedness and ease of handling. They are truly an all-around horse capable of performing whatever task is required.
Today, the Lipizzan can be found in many nations throughout Europe and North America. The breed is still considered quite rare, with only about 1,500 in the United States and a mere 3,000 Lipizzan horses registered worldwide.
Lipizzans represent over 400 years of select breeding, founded upon selection of superior horses gathered from all over the world. They not only possess beauty and nobility, but also a rare combination of courage, strength, ability, temperament, and intelligence.
The Lipizzan breed had it's beginning in 1580 when Archduke Charles II established the stud farm in Lipizza (Lipica), using the best imported Spanish horses, Andalusians, Barbs and Berbers bred to the local Karst horses. The Karst horses were white in color, small, slow to mature, and extremely tough. Most people have the false idea that Lipizzans inherited their high stepping gait from the Spanish horse. It was, however, the Karst horse who gave the Lipizzan its high stepping gait.
In the late 1700's the horses were moved three times during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon gained possession of the horses for a while and bred his Arab stallion, VESIR, to the Lipizzaners. Seven Arab stallions were used to develop the breed during the period from 1807 to 1856. They were: SIGLAVY, TADMOR, GAZLAN, SAYDAN, SAMSON, HADUDI, and BEN AZET. From 1792 to 1815, the Kladruby horse helped to develop two of the Lipizzan lines (Maestoso & Favory). By 1880 there were 341 Lipizzan horses at the Lipizza stud farm. Of all the sires used in the 18th and 19th centuries, only six founded the original stallion lines of the Lipizzan breed: SIGLAVY, NEAPOLITANO, MAESTOSO, FAVORY, PLUTO, and CONVERSANO. Later, in Croatia and Hungary, the TULIPAN and INCITATO lines were developed.
Until 1916, the Lipizzan stud farm always remained the private possession of the Habsburg monarchy. Up to this time, the expansion of the breed had been affected over the centuries by military conflicts. Whenever warfare threatened the Lipizza stud, the horses were moved away. During these moves, individual horses would occasionally be given or sold to other studs. From these horses came other small Lipizzan studs, usually within the boundaries of the Austrian empire.
During World War I, the breeding stock was relocated to Laxenburg near Vienna. The foals were placed in the other imperial stud farm, Kladrub. After World War I, central Europe was reorganized. The large Austrian-Hungarian empire was divided into several new republics, and every new state inherited the possessions of the former monarchy. The breeding stock of the imperial stud farm of Lipizza (1580-1916) itself was divided among three different countries. At the time, only 208 Lipizzans were known to be left in existence. The main part (109 horses) went to Italy, to which the village of Lipizza and its surroundings had been awarded. The 1913-1915 foals remained at Kladrub, which was then owned by the Czechoslovakian state. In 1919, the republic of Austria became the owner of the rest of the breeding stock and the stallions of the Spanish Riding School. Following World War I, in addition to Italy, Czechoslovakia, and Austria, other new states which continued the breeding of the Lipizzan horse were Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia.
In 1943, the Lipizzan breed was again threatened with extinction when the mares and foals from Austria, Italy, and Yugoslavia were transferred to Hostau in Czechoslovakia by the German High Command. Through the heroic efforts of the Spanish Riding School’s director, Alois Podhajsky, the school was saved yet the performance stallions were not returned to the school until 1955. In 1945, the perpetuation of the breed was guaranteed by the American army, under the command of General Patton, which retrieved the mares and returned them to Austrian soil.
Today Lipizzans are found beyond the borders of what was once the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. With less than 4,000 purebred Lipizzans in the world, the breed is considered rare, and the number of foals born each year is correspondingly small. Extreme care is taken by those involved in the production of Lipizzan horses to insure that the purity of the breed is preserved. Much effort has been expended to develop educational programs to foster voluntary adherence to the traditional breed goals and objectives.
In the late 20th century, the Lipizzan has proven to be a successful competitor at all levels of competition dressage and driving, as well as continuing to be the ultimate mount for classical horsemanship. The breed has also proven to be suitable for other equestrian disciplines including pleasure riding. Owners and breeders are dedicated to the Lipizzan breed because they appreciate its rarity, cultural importance, romantic history, and it's traits of intelligence, classical beauty, and harmonious, athletic way of moving.
The following information is provided by the USLR and is intended for educational purposes only
Definition of Outward Appearance: Among the different breeds, the Lipizzan has an exclusive
position. This cultural breed is considered to be the most ancient in Europe. As a parade horse, the Lipizzan shows
nobleness, expression, and talent for dressage and carriage. He must have a moderate, well-balanced nature and a
good character. The body is rectangular and the ideal height is between 155–158 cm (15.1–15.2h) at the withers.
The traditional gray color is dominant.
Type: Both the riding and driving horse types are accepted in the Lipizzan breed. Both should be judged within its special character; extremes should be disliked. The sub convex profile throughout the body with rounded outlines is typical for the breed.
Height: The average height, to be measured at the withers, is 155–158 cm. (15.1–15.2h) for males at the age of six. Bigger or smaller horses must be harmonious in extra-good breed character.
Color: The gray color is dominant. Brown and black occur and should remain; all other colors are disliked.
Attitude: The Lipizzan has a natural ability for concentration, with a great disposition for collected High School work and/or great endurance for riding and driving.
Movements: The Lipizzan has a proud and elevated action, and is long, elegant and in complete balance in walk, trot, and canter.
Head: The head is well-proportioned, of medium length, narrow and dry, without a too-pronounced lower jaw and the cheek inclined to be round. A slightly convex profile belongs to the breed character; the too-fine (Arabic) and the too-convex (ram head) should occur only infrequently. The eyes are large and dark, expressive and confident. The ears are of medium length, fine, and expressive.
Neck and Withers: The neck is medium length, arched with a narrow mainline. The junction between the head and neck is not too narrow. The neck is deep in the base and well-inserted between the shoulders, rising up from the withers without interruption. The withers are well-developed and long, not well-expressed, with a smooth transition from the back to the neck, and always higher than the croup.
Chest and Ribcage: The chest is of medium size, deep, and muscular. The ribcage is well-developed, deep, and not too long, with ribs obliquely arched into the joint with the spinal column.
Shoulder: The shoulder should be long, sloping, and well-muscled.
Back and Loins: The back is well-defined and tending towards the horizontal, making a smooth union between the withers and loins. The loins are short, wide, muscular, slightly convex, and well-connected with the back and croup, with which they form a continuous, harmonious line.
Croup: The croup is strong and rounded, well-muscled and balanced, and slightly sloping. The length must not be shorter than the width, and the profile convex and harmonious, with the point of the hip not too pronounced. The tail must not be set too deep, with long and silky hair.
Legs: The legs are well-muscled with regular angles. The joints are well-proportioned and dry. The upper arm is straight and muscular. The cannons are not too long. The fetlocks are dry, with very little hair. The pasterns are of medium length and regularly angled.
Hooves: The hooves are hard, of good quality, well-defined, and proportional.
Temperament and Character: The Lipizzan's temperament and character is noble, generous, and ardent, but always gentle, friendly, willing to work, able to bear pressure, and directed towards people.
Throughout history, the Lipizzans’ existence has been threatened by numerous wars and lack of suitable food and shelter for long periods of time. In the late 1700s, during the Napoleonic Wars, the horses were moved three times. Napoleon gained possession of the horses and bred his Arab stallion, Vesir, to the Lipizzans. Seven Arab stallions were used to develop the breed during the period from 1807 to 1856. They were: Siglavy, Tadmor, Gasian, Saydan, Samson, Hadudi and Ben Azet. From 1792 to 1815, the Kladruby horse helped to develop two of the Lipizzan lines – Maestoso and Favory. By 1880 there were 341 Lipizzan horses at the Lipizza stud farm.
There were a number of stallions used during the 18th and 19th centuries for the Kladruby and other European horse breeds. However, only six founded the original stallion lines of the Lipizzan breed:
- • Siglavy
- • Neapolitano
- • Maestoso
- • Favory
- • Pluto
- • Conversano
Conversano Ivey embodies the typical characteristics of the Conversano line, with a strong noble head, short coupled back and body, and strong broad hocks.
It’s easy to see why people become so enamored of the Lipizzan breed, with its romantic history, its cultural importance and rarity in the world, and its traits of intelligence, beauty, athleticisim and heart.