Equestrian Rides the Knabstrupper Horse in Denmark!

Meet a Spotted Horse Breed from Denmark! Join me as we journey to the breed's place of origin, meet up with the Knabstrupper Society of Denmark, visit the world's largest Knabstrupper breeder (CUTE FOAL alert!) and go for a Quest ride in a flower filled forest on a leopard-spotted stallion!
🎬DiscoverTheHorse is an equine education project, equestrian vlog and adventure series that documents my journey to ride every horse breed. 🐎 Ride along with me and meet amazing horses from around the world!
✨Special Thanks to: Knabstrupperforeningen
for Danmark,
Kit Stryhn
, Karina Sartor,
Stutteri Sartor, Pernille Nørgaard & Knabstrup Manor.✨
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#HorseRiding #Equestrian #denmark
00:00 Riding Every Horse Breed
00:26 The Knabstrupper Horse
01:21 Visiting the World's Largest Breeder
03:22 (Cute Foal Alert!)
04:01 What Makes the Breed Special?
05:02 Danish Cakes & Pastries!!
05:30 Life with Knabstrupper Horses
06:23 Meet my Quest Horse!
08:50 A Mindset for Equestrians
09:51 Sneak Peek of My Next Breed!

[@Melyni2]

I breed them here in the USA! They are such fantastic horses. I ride mine in dressage. I have taken 5 of them to FEI levels, so easy to train, such fun to ride.

[@lakeshoreshepherds741]

What state are you in?

[@Melyni2]

@@lakeshoreshepherds741 I am in Virginia. Look up Knabs4usa.

[@kris7278]

I'm a Danish Equestrian and the Knabstrupper has always been one of my favourite breeds. I'm looking forward to the video with the Frederiksborg breed🥰

[@callienn]

That's how you know a boyfriend's a keeper! What a great story!

[@kathleendaugherty4218]

WOW, seldom do you get everything in one package, beauty, temperament, and versatility. You found a winner there!

[@bonitalambert986]

Agreed!!! Spots TO BOOT!!!😊

[@SWeed-rz9wy]

Spot on! 👍😊

[@rhondaengness7214]

So, this is the breed of Pippi's horse!! Now her adventures living with this horse makes sense❤

[@Cerise884]

No, Pippi's horse was a swedish warmblood named Illbatting/Bunting. They painted the spots on him.

[@skyethewylder]

I am so excited to see this breed. As a young girl I had an encyclopedia type little book, thick, and with glossy photos of horses from all over the world. The Knabstrupper was always my favorite. Btw, you ride like I do, laughing and smiling the whole way. I don't get saddle sore as much as my cheeks are sore from the constant wide smile I have when I get to ride. I can't wait for spring when we buy my horse. I haven't had a horse for 20 years and now I am in the position to get what I want. I am giddy with excitement.

[@DianeLee999]

Thank you for sharing the breed and the people who foster it. 🌈💙🇺🇸

[@annazimmerman864]

Fairbanks looked like SUCH a nice ride 💛 Love this breed, thanks for sharing!

[@lauriedashner2225]

I’ve had the pleasure of having this breed near me… a friend of my son breeds them… very lovely

[@ninakaiser2930]

The stallion is gorgeous! I knew about the Knappstrupper breed and did encounter some. But didn’t ride them. Seems like an amazing breed - versatile, powerful and very beautiful. Hopefully more and more will be born so the breed can precede!

[@jayneterry8701]

You are so blessed. 💗🐴 101 Dalmatians bread as a horse was top in my mind! 😀 Did this not come up in conversation? Lol The new foals were so sweet.

[@kathyhepler382]

Beautiful video. Yes I have seen this gorgeous breed of horse 🐴🐎🐴🐎

[@derruffian5150]

I've been around them at many shows, when I was competing in showjumping, even had lessons with a stallion called Cibrino. Beautiful stallion😊 There's a studfarm within a 4 minutes drive from my house, so I see the Knabstruppers every time I go to get groceries ❤

[@bromeo3032]

You make such beautiful, calming and interesting videos. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@vee4322]

I actually took lessons at a barn where Fairbanks stayed for a while - his temperament is beyond this world and he was so gorgeous in his prime. A showjumper through and through. I actually couldn't believe it when I saw him here, I was always wondering what happened to him...

[@wioi]

We have a Knabstrupper Mare in our Barn. So I've ridden her obviously. I love how comfortable they are. Her gallop is amazing

[@annwagner5779]

I’ve heard about them for years, and even have a model. But I’ve never gotten to ride one. Great to see you on a Knabstrupper!

[@AliWade1971]

So beautiful, and what a wonderful forest to ride in.

[@goldenyearsacres9163]

At the risk of sounding really ignorant, I thought that the ones I have seen here in the USA were just a really exquisite appaloosa mix. Now I know when I see spotted horses not to assume that it is an appaloosa.

[@ck4426]

Absolutely love your videos and the dedication shown by the owners of these beautiful horses. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@bettiehass4091]

Knabstrupper was one of the horse breeds in a breed book that I had years ago. Riding a stallion is an super experience. They always seem to have this reserve of energy.

[@annjohnson8437]

I've never heard of this breed. They are extremely gorgeous and cool! ❤

[@idlydog1232]

I love the Knabstrupper breed so much! I'm Danish and it just makes me so happy that we as such a small country have some extrordinary horses that people worldwide know about!

[@justinehuftle637]

I am a French rider, and I know this breed thanks to a horse game (SSO). All breeds in this game are very similar with the real breeds. Thank you for that video. I know the history of that breed now.

[@KateKarate]

You Look like an elf! 🥰 That's the reason for your great connection to horses.

[@feiryfella]

I stayed at a stud farm in New Zealand, they had 80 of them!

[@rockannand]

Like you prior to your video, I've not been around the Knabstrupper breed. My word, they are so pretty with their spots! Love a big engine horse! Thanks for sharing 💓💓💓

[@ulrikasunremarkablelife]

My friend owns one. A now 23 year old gelding. I've ridden him quite a few times. 😊

[@annebell7274]

Stunning breed. Stunning stallion.Cute foals and beautiful mares. Never heard of the breed ❤❤❤

[@emilyostroski4296]

I’ve never heard of Knabstruppers before, but they are beautiful horses! Thanks for sharing!!

[@gilliangreen2920]

For all those who are confused about the difference between the Appaloosa and the Knabstrupper breed. The Appaloosa is the much older breed of the two. The mare that established the Knabstrupper breed was an Appaloosa called Flaebenhoppen (1808) who fought in the Neapolianonic wars, she was bred to a warmblood stallion, hence creating the Knabstrupper breed. Appaloosa blood was used in beginning the stud then used again in 1970 to improve the Knabstrupper breed. Three Appaloosa stallions were imported to Denmark at this time for adding new blood. Appaloosas (LP gene horses) evolved 25,000- 35,000 yrs ago, whereas the Knabstrupper breed was created in around 1812 when the stud was first established.

[@gilliangreen2920]

@@counselthyself2591 🤣I am not.....but you definitely are.

[@Melyni2]

Er sorry wrong way around. Knabstruppers are an older breed than the Appaloosa.

[@picobello99]

You're confusing the pattern with the breed. The appaloosa PATTERN has been around for thousands of years and can be found in many different breeds, including the Knabstrupper, Noriker, miniature horse and many others. It was even present in Arabians. The Appaloosa BREED however hasn't been around for that long. It was first developed by native Americans some 200 years ago and the studbook was only founded in 1939.

[@gilliangreen2920]

@@picobello99 The Appaloosa name was coined in the 18th century, not the breed. The breed was DEVELOPED by the Nez Perce and not created. Man can not create spots. LP gene, the spotting phenotype is found in the DNA, not the coat pattern. Researchers analysed DNA from the bones and teeth of 31 horses that lived in Europe as far back as 35,000yrs that matched present day Appaloosas and those closely related. All the horses you mention have been crossed with the Appaloosa ( LP gene). The Arab strain you speak of, The Kehilan (meaning the eye with the black circle around it) was one of the five horses of Mohammed. The Appaloosa has had many different names throughout history, for example was known as Bloody buttocks in England in the 13th century. Whatever we call these horses......the DNA remains the same.

[@picobello99]

@@gilliangreen2920 Again, you're confusing the BREED with the PATTERN. A horse belonging to the Appaloosa breed doesn't have to carry any appaloosa genes at all and a horse with an appaloosa pattern doesn't have to be registered at the ApHC. The Appaloosa breed is a breed of horse developed by the Nez Perce tribe and is known for it's spotted coat, caused by the Leopard gene complex. That's also where the name comes from. No, they didn't "invent" those patterns, but they did "invent" the breed. Nowadays the breed is registered at the Appaloosa Horse Club, which also allows solid coloured horses without the Lp-gene in the studbook as long as they're purely bred. The name appaloosa is now used for all horses of any breed that carry the Lp-gene. And yes, that gene has been around for a very long time. Though you'd still need the Patn1-gene for the leopard pattern, just the Lp-gene isn't enough, and there're probably more appaloosa genes to be discovered. Usually when Americans talk about Appaloosas they mean the breed. It's one of the most common breeds in the US and there aren't many other breeds with the Lp-gene. Many people don't even know it exists in other breeds too, so if they see a horse with an appaloosa coat that clearly doesn't belong in the ApHC studbook they assume it's an Appaloosa (breed) cross. Which is often, but not always, true, since the Appaloosa breed was and is actually frequently used to create other breeds with leopard spots. There are still many breeds however where the Lp-gene is present that were never influenced by the Appaloosa breed, such as the Noriker and Tuva. Tl;dr I wish people would specify whether they mean the breed or coat pattern when talking about Appaloosas. Using the same name for both is way too confusing!

[@gnostic268]

Beautiful horses. They look a lot like Appaloosas. I had a brown leopard Appaloosa mare. Of course, they were bred and developed by the Nez Perce tribe in the U.S.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

I have heard of them! Never have seen one in real life, though. Pretty!

[@user-zv2ut8rs9f]

Such awesome horses. Bred them in America for years.

[@bowiearcangeli11]

What lovely horses! Thank you for continuing on with your quest. My husband and I sure enjoy your videos 🥰

[@mostafizurrahman246]

Watching from Bangladesh 🎉🎉🎉❤❤

[@sophiebarnet116]

I've always wondered about this breed - they look lovely - especially the stallion you rode. Always interesting to watch what you are up to.... 🙂

[@cynthiabrown2806]

I have known about this breed for years, but aside from pictures, hadn't seen one moving. They seem lovely! That trail was very pretty...loved the video. I would definitely love to ride one someday! The people you visited also seemed so nice. Very positive video. Thanks for sharing!

[@almirakline6070]

Always been fascinated with the breed since watching Pippi Longstocking with my children! ❤❤😂

[@muffassa6739]

I've enjoyed watching your videos, the first time I saw your great videos was in PBS in Michigan USA I'm so glad you're sharing these videos with us thank you again ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Thylax_]

One day I'll own a Knabstrupper! I loveee their coats especially, but their personalities are amazing 😍

[@madalynbelzowski6884]

I've seen many speckled horses but didn't know them by this name. How exciting a ride it seemed. Congratulations on breed 95. I haven't seen you ride a new one recently.

[@donna-marie9100]

Watching from the UK. Such a beautiful horse 🐎

[@rosaliesimard2266]

i LOVE Knabstrupper!!!!!!!!

[@birgit4314]

Beautiful horses ❤! The foals are so cute 🥰. Is this the horse from "Pippi Langstrumpf"? Thank you for sharing 💐.

[@Cerise884]

Pippi Långstrump's horse was a swedish warmblood named Illbatting/Bunting, they painted the spots on him.

[@kcuzz4091]

I can’t believe he is 21 years old! He looks like he could go all day.

[@mostafizurrahman246]

so beautiful 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@fraracci]

Absolutely stunning horses♡ Thank you for educating us and introducing the wonderful people and horses. The Knabstrupper Remind me a lot of the American quarter horse except longer and without the high up butt

[@JesgateOnDown]

Strange how I could tell by the sound that she was going to say his canter was *comfortable." 😍

[@dianawhited6604]

What a unique breed.I enjoyed the video.Thanks.

[@elainezaricor2599]

Such a great breed.❤Thanks for sharing your story and the beautiful horses ❤

[@pjk1714]

I love the nature of the breed. Often referred to as a spotted appaloosa in North America. Unfortunately I've seen on both east and west coast at auctions being saved from kill buyers. We should all be responsible being their guardians since our laws to protect so pathetic. Thank you for sharing your experience!!

[@Melyni2]

Appaloosas are a different breed than Knabstruppers. Same color gene different body types. Different origina.

[@awkwardguineapig]

Appaloosa and Knabstruper are about as much the same breed as a Tennessee Walker and a Clydesdale. Both can have the same colour, doesn't make them the same breed.

[@gmariet1391]

No , I had not heard of this breed ! Beautiful ❤️

[@mswoe042]

Beautiful, sweet horses

[@1fredricka]

stunning bree, My first time seeing this breed. Thank You for the video.

[@MareeHassallsArt]

I love your videos! Woudl it be possible to make them longer? Like 20 minutes maybe? Theyre really good and dont want them to end so soon ❤

[@debrabiderman4275]

I have always loved this breed. Great heads!

[@jenniferbaptista1426]

I've been so curious about this breed. What a treat this video is. I hope to ride one someday.

[@frenzyviz6296]

Love Mr. Fairbanks!

[@laurab8450]

This was awesome! What a beautiful horse.

[@ellabella7071]

So adorable ❤

[@ellenmadsen7308]

Have family from Denmark and am a life long rider and never heard of this breed so thanks!

[@katjafarbenfroh8646]

I love the Knappstrupper

[@kcuzz4091]

Just a gorgeous breed the Knabstrupper.

[@katharinatrub1338]

Indeed, to me it is the First Time I hear about the Knabstrupperhorsebread! I loved their Coat. Also I did to listen to the two Breader Families! They were talking about their Horses and Breading with much Love ans in a Humble way! Maybe a Danish Trait? Now it makes sens to me, Pippi Langstrumpf rode a Knabstrupper, not a Appaloosa as I always thought ; ))

[@annepetersen4745]

yes! 2 of my horses are brothers and have a grandsire who is knabstrupper (although there is also appaloosa in his bloodlines) He has bred some amazing offspring.

[@Donnagilbert6497]

Gorgeous!

[@sandyrobinson1845]

I will always be in love with spotted horses I live in the States and my dream was a Leopard Appaloosa horse since I had seen one on the Appaloosa News magazine At 43 I was able to get a Leopard Appaloosa filly 4 months old I named her Pleazure She is a tri colored and has a large Teddy Bear spot On her right hip I had no idea that the knapstrupers I hope the spelling is close So in love with you’re Breed Stunning and takes my breath away thank you for the beautiful Video 💜🎄👍😊

[@beverleydryland1146]

Omgoodness congratulations x

[@kennethnewman5051]

I HAVE LOVED HORSES ALL MY LIFE . ❤

[@ula_kon]

Yes, I heard about that breed. They are so beautiful because of spots on their fur

[@MareeHassallsArt]

Gorgeous horse breed! But oh god, I honestly thought the K in knabstrupper was silent 😅 I've been saying it wrong all this time lol

[@maryward3060]

They are so beautiful

[@marionboucher3155]

love that horse bread

[@myrnaedmisten599]

Such a dream. I love what you are so beautifully doing for us all. ❤❤

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thank you! 🥰

[@harishkashyap8710]

Nice vlogs 💞

[@Ida-fz3ir]

no!...beautiful!

[@catdog8799]

Pipi Langstrumpf ❤️

[@jenniferbarnes2119]

I have never they are absolutely beautiful. They kind of resembles an Appaloosa with the spots between a leopard and a blanket, but they are beautiful.

[@Faelani38]

❤ Yes I have heard of the them. I absolutely love them. I have known of them since I was a teen. >.> that was forever ago lol.😊

[@Silvio.S.Arruda0042]

fantastic video congratulations

[@solveigelisabethhenne1739]

Considering you`ve been to Sweden and Denmark now, I`m predicting the Fjord horse or Dale horse of Norway is next! ;)

[@dogsenseforu301]

TBH these Knabstruppers look less thick/heavy than the ones I've seen in the past. Perhaps I am wrong and the breed has progressed... alas I'm not currently riding (I viscerally live through great YT channels like this one! THANK YOU ❤)... I had the privilege of riding a Knabstrupper as a kid - he was comfort and ease, like a delicious recliner chair who barely spooked, would jump whatever asked, never needed coaxing etc...AWESOMELY SAFE with kids (Way more so than the Shetland and other ponies I knew at the time!) Alas, not riding at the moment but maybe one day I can omce again relax into the saddle or put my face into the neck of the most darling breed.

[@Cerise884]

There are different types of knabstruppers. The sport type, the classic type, the miniature type and the pony type.

[@ellensherfey4061]

First time aware of the breed. Very sweet, not pushy, around their person.

[@shannonjones4666]

I have read about them since I was. A horse crazy girl I am now the grandma. Of 5 so it has been a long time. Always thought they were beautiful

[@DakotaCelt1]

I saw a picture of the breed many years ago in a Horses of the World book. Simply beautiful creatures... I do have a question. Towards the end of the video, you were visiting with Pernille and young horse was nuzzling her. The horse had a buckled piece of leather around its neck. Is that for training purposes?

[@spiridoulaathanasopoulou9244]

I admire you ❤❤❤❤

[@lyzzylabelle]

I defiantly want to buy one now that has that look of the baby one

[@sammimadanat9693]

I have hear of them. I read every book on horses in our school library. I have also spotted on in a field in Northern Delaware, which is a small state in the USA.

[@appbazar2015]

Nice and beautiful

[@claudiastrycharz3872]

Yes, I have, and they are a gorgeous breed. I am curious, though, what is the difference is between the leopard appaloosa ND knapster.

[@sheila3845]

You are sooooo lucky

[@leftnoname]

There are European Appaloosas. Never heard of the breed before. They are beautiful.

[@leekestner1554]

I have known about them from years. The ancestor who brought the spots was from Spain. The Spanish took their spotted horse to the Americas. Here they escaped the Spanish and were captured by the Nez Peirce and formed the Appaloosa. If you compare the two, the Knapstrupper and the Appaloosa, you will see that as well as the spots they both possess thin manes and tails. The spotted gene in Spain goes back to the Ice Age where you can find them painted on cave walls.

[@gilliangreen2920]

The Appaloosa is the much older breed by far, the foundation mare of the Knabstrupper breed was an Appaloosa mare called Flaebenhoppen (1808) who fought in the Neapolianonic wars, she was bred to a warmblood stallion, hence creating the Knabstrupper breed as it is known today. Appaloosa blood was used in beginning the the stud and then used again in 1970 to improve the breed. Three Appaloosa stallions were imported to Denmark at this time for adding new blood. Appaloosa (LP gene) horses have been around for 25,000 - 30,000 yrs whereas the Knabstrupper breed was created, about the time the stud was first established 1812.

[@gilliangreen2920]

@@counselthyself2591 All spotted horses have the LP gene, it is the gene which allows expression of various patterns, not colour. The Patn 1 gene increases the amount of white in LP (Appaloosa and those closely related)horses. Horses that are Patn 1 positive, but negative for the LP gene will not have spotting but will pass on Patn 1. As the LP gene was found in the PALEOLITHIC study it proves that the leopard spotting complex provides the first evidence that spotted horses existed at this time. The term Appaloosa manifested in the 18th century and it is this term, that I relate to now. 25,000 yrs ago the Appaloosa would have had no name known to us. As the Spanish stock, you refer to, taken to America were spotted they would have carried the LP gene that all Appaloosa horses have. There is a theory that Russian fur traders bought Akhal Tekes and other horses over to America long before the Spanish arrived. Meriwether Lewis commented on the original Nez Perce Appaloosa herd in 1605 as .....Lofty and elegantly bred...many of them look like fine English coursers (old English word for racehorses). The Spanish stock available at this time did not fit this description, certainly not the Quarter horse blood infused so readily at a later date.

[@gilliangreen2920]

@@counselthyself2591 Regardless of when Meriwether Lewis was born his comment still stands. The Akhal Tekes and other horses I speak of, were introduced by Russian Fur traders centuries ago. The Nez Perce horse is a recent development and has nothing to do with my comment.

[@gilliangreen2920]

@@counselthyself2591 Russians captured the Akhal Teke horses in the wars for the Russian Empire 1721 and the horses were subsumed into the empire along with its country. FYI The Soviet union created the first Teke registry in 1941 with over 700 horses. You are wrong again with your information on Russian colonization. In 1725 ..Tsar Peter the great called for his navigator Vitis Bering to set out for expedition to America. It was during this time that Russia laid claim to the Pacific coast. Russian fur trappers and hunters called promyshlenniki developed the maritime fur trade in the 1700 becoming one of the first of this lucrative trade. It was at this time that the Russian fur traders could have traded with the Nez Perce . From ancient times there have been spotted horses, we have evidence of France 25,000-30,000yrs, Asia 3,500 B.C, horses with spotted markings appear in Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Persian, and Chinese drawing and pottery dating from 1400 B.C . The first English pictures showing spotted horses appear in a manuscript dated 1397. As all the horses mentioned (apart from tekes) are spotted (LP) gene , Appaloosa......the name that we use today......do you have a point.

[@gilliangreen2920]

@@counselthyself2591 Firstly, I am not American. Secondly, it is only the name " Appaloosa " that was coined in the 1800, not the genetics of the breed. The Appaloosa EVOLVED at least 30,000yrs ago, it was not created by the Nez Perce......but developed. Man cannot create a spotted horse, they evolved. The SPOTTING gene (LP) is found only in Appaloosas or those closely related. Akhal Tekes are one of the most hardy horses on the planet and are bred all over the world in addition to Turkmenistan there are breeders in Russia, and central Asia, Europe the U.S, Uruguay and Australia. Your ego will never except the truth, for want of keep repeating myself, please refer to the above.

[@Doryplory]

I have the amazing opportunity to ride and take care of someone elses knabstrupper. He is a black gelding and he is wonderful❤

[@joannesmartens9442]

They look like appalousa horses and dalmaterdogs.😊

[@sheilamcinerney4291]

Fairbanks jes he’s beautiful. They are one of my favourite horses.

[@lesliemoore1656]

Heard but never have seen one. Being from Alabama in US closest would be the Appaloosa. Did not know that they were part of this history. Appaloosa is a very versatile breed and a favorite of mine.

[@Erki750]

❤❤❤

[@martylesnick2032]

BEAUTIFUL COLORFUL LOVELY HORSE. WOW CHECK OUT YOUR CINCH IT WAS A BIT LOOSE AS YOU RODE. Susan