The Lipizzan
History
Lipizzan horses date back to AD 800, and share a common ancestry with Andalusian horses. Both breeds are the result of crossing Barbs and native Spanish horses, creating the original baroque breeds. In the 16th century, Lipica Stud was founded in Slovenia in order to breed Lipizzans as war horses. Arabians, Barbs, and various baroque breeds were bred at Lipica, all in order to enhance the Lipizzan breed. Over the years, other studs were introduced, such as Piber Federal Stud in Austria, but Lipica continues to be the central source of Lipizzans.
To this day, all Lipizzans can be traced back to just eight stallions. There are six traditional stallions, which came from Lipica Stud, and two non-traditional lines, which came from outside Lipizzan breeding facilities. All eight lines are accepted by the Lipizzan International Federation.
The Tradtional Lines:
-Pluto
-Conversano
-Neapolitano
-Favory
-Maestoso
-Siglavy
The Non-Traditional Lines:
-Incitato
-Tulipan
There are also up to 35 mare lines, an estimated 14 of which are still in existence today.
Lipizzan horses date back to AD 800, and share a common ancestry with Andalusian horses. Both breeds are the result of crossing Barbs and native Spanish horses, creating the original baroque breeds. In the 16th century, Lipica Stud was founded in Slovenia in order to breed Lipizzans as war horses. Arabians, Barbs, and various baroque breeds were bred at Lipica, all in order to enhance the Lipizzan breed. Over the years, other studs were introduced, such as Piber Federal Stud in Austria, but Lipica continues to be the central source of Lipizzans.
To this day, all Lipizzans can be traced back to just eight stallions. There are six traditional stallions, which came from Lipica Stud, and two non-traditional lines, which came from outside Lipizzan breeding facilities. All eight lines are accepted by the Lipizzan International Federation.
The Tradtional Lines:
-Pluto
-Conversano
-Neapolitano
-Favory
-Maestoso
-Siglavy
The Non-Traditional Lines:
-Incitato
-Tulipan
There are also up to 35 mare lines, an estimated 14 of which are still in existence today.
Uses
Although initially bred for use as a warhorse, this is not what the Lipizzan breed is most known for. They have almost always been used for Classical Dressage, most notably at the Spanish Riding School in Austria. Based on training horses for military purposes, Classical Dressage training is process that can take over six years per horse. The Spanish Riding School uses only Lipizzan stallions, and aims to train each horse perfectly using a detailed step-by-step process. The Lipizzan stallions of the School are best known for Haute Ecole, the final stage of Classical Dressage training. This phase of training requires a stallion to perform movements at the utmost levels of collection and balance. Movements include the half-pass, counter-canter, passage, piaffe, and pirouettes, all of which can be found in modern Dressage tests. Haute Ecole also involves Airs Above the Ground, which are the flighty movements often seen in performances by Lipizzans. These stunning movements, only used in Classical Dressage, require years of precise training, and can only be performed by a small number of horses. The manuevers inclue the levade, courbette, croupade, and capriole. These are all stunning to witness, and require immense amounts of strength from the horse. Although the Spanish Riding School still uses Lipizzan stallions for Classical Dressage to this day, these wonderful horses have also found a place for themselves in modern competition. Obviously, they are perfectly suited to Dressage competition. Their calm and easy-going temperaments make them perfect mounts for Junior or Amateur riders, and their baroque-style builds make them muscular and powerful. Lipizzans also excel in Driving, which was one of their original purposes. Many Lipizzan mares were trained as Driving horses, as they could not join the Spanish Riding School. Lipizzans can excel in both Pleasure and Combined Driving due to their versatile builds. Along with other baroque breeds such as the Andalusian and Lusitano, Lipizzans can make excellent mounts for Working Equitation. Their build, temperament, and versatility make them perfect for this up-and-coming discipline. |
Characteristics
Lipizzans have a fairly compact build, standing between 14.2 and 15.2 hands on average. Some lines are known to produce horses up to 16.2 hands, but this is uncommon. Horses have long, wide heads, with flat or slightly convex profiles. They have large eyes and nostrils, and a deep jaw that ties in to a thick, arched neck. The withers are relatively flat, allowing for a broad and muscular back. The chest and shoulder also share this wide appearance. Lipizzans have muscular legs with thick joints, allowing for a sturdy base of support.
Nearly all modern Lipizzans are a very light grey color. Occasionally, a bay horse will appear, but this is rare. In the past, horses could be black, bay, dun, and even pinto, but these lines have faded away. All foals are born black, and fade to grey as they age. Lipizzans mature more slowly than other breeds, living up to 30 years, so it can take them up to 10 years for their coats to fully grey out.
Lipizzans have a fairly compact build, standing between 14.2 and 15.2 hands on average. Some lines are known to produce horses up to 16.2 hands, but this is uncommon. Horses have long, wide heads, with flat or slightly convex profiles. They have large eyes and nostrils, and a deep jaw that ties in to a thick, arched neck. The withers are relatively flat, allowing for a broad and muscular back. The chest and shoulder also share this wide appearance. Lipizzans have muscular legs with thick joints, allowing for a sturdy base of support.
Nearly all modern Lipizzans are a very light grey color. Occasionally, a bay horse will appear, but this is rare. In the past, horses could be black, bay, dun, and even pinto, but these lines have faded away. All foals are born black, and fade to grey as they age. Lipizzans mature more slowly than other breeds, living up to 30 years, so it can take them up to 10 years for their coats to fully grey out.
Lipizzan or Lipizzaner?
There can be some confusion over the name of this breed. However, both Lipizzan and Lipizzaner are accurate. Lipizzan is most commonly used in English-speaking countries, while Lipizzaner is more of a direct translation. Either terms are correct and can be used interchangeably.
There can be some confusion over the name of this breed. However, both Lipizzan and Lipizzaner are accurate. Lipizzan is most commonly used in English-speaking countries, while Lipizzaner is more of a direct translation. Either terms are correct and can be used interchangeably.