| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | popular being the leopard which is a solid white |
| Denmark | | | | background covered with black, bay, or chestnut |
| Knabstrup | | | | spots. Other patterns include the blanket, the |
| One of the characteristics of the Knapstrup is its | | | | snowcap, the snowflake and the few spot, as |
| interesting colouring, for example, white body hair | | | | the name suggests it is almost solid white. However, |
| with all over dark spots. This eye-catching | | | | when bred it usually produces a foal with some type |
| combination, together with remarkable learning abilities | | | | of spotted pattern, though there are some |
| and a good temperament have made it a popular | | | | Knabstrups born with solid colours, such as bay, |
| choice as a performer in the circus. | | | | chestnut, or gray. |
| Spotted horses date back to the age of the Vikings | | | | The breed originated in and is still bred in Denmark, it |
| and they can be seen in early Chinese art. The | | | | is now also bred in Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, |
| Knabstrup dates back to the Napoleonic wars and is | | | | Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and most recently in |
| of Spanish ancestry. The breed was founded on a | | | | the USA. The modern Knabstrups are bred to |
| spotted mare, Flaebehoppen, who was acquired by a | | | | preserve the breed as a riding horse regardless of |
| butcher called Flaebe (hence her name) when she | | | | size. This is one of the only breeds that can present |
| was left behind by the Spanish troops. She was | | | | horses in all sizes, from pony size to full horse size. |
| exceptionally fast with great endurance and in 1808 | | | | The horses usually stand at about 15.2 to 16.h.h and |
| her next owner, Major Villars Lunn, crossed her with | | | | the ponies are under 14.2.h.h. The breed varies in |
| a Palomino-coloured Frederiksborg stallion and named | | | | conformation, but the best examples have |
| the breed after his estate. In 1813 the mare gave | | | | reasonably good overall conformation. It is intelligent |
| birth to a colt that later became the founding father | | | | and easy to train; the head is well proportioned with |
| of the Knabstrup breed. | | | | a kind expression; there is mottled skin colouring on |
| The original breed is almost extinct due to too much | | | | the lips and muzzle; the mane and tail are sparse. The |
| cross breeding and emphasis being put on breeding | | | | colour is predominantly white with black or brown |
| the coat colour rather than for conformation. The | | | | spots of varying size all over the body, head and |
| numbers of purebred Knabstrup went into decline | | | | legs. |
| through subsequent crossings back to the | | | | This sound, tough, kind natured horse that enjoys |
| Frederiksborg, however, similar spotted horses can | | | | performing, is increasing in popularity in the show ring |
| still be seen in Denmark. | | | | and at competitive sports. |
| The colour patterns vary within the breed, the most | | | | |