Lipizzaner Horse Breed 

Country of Origin: The Lipizzaner horse breed originated from the Lipicia stud in Solvenia. 

Blood Type: The Lipizzaner is in the warmblood group. 

History: In 1580 Charles II imported 9 stallions and 24 mares from the Iberian Peninsula and began the Lipizzaner horse breed. The Spanish school (named so because it used Spanish horses) was formed in 1572 to teach the nobility. The Lipizzaner horse has infusions of Neopolitan blood, Arab, Danish, and German blood. Thoroughbred blood was introduced but was not successful. The Lipizzaner horses have been bred for the Spanish School at Pider in Austria since 1920 and also in Hungary, Romania, and the former Czechoslovakia.

The latter are often used for light draft and farm work and tend to be larger than those bred for the Spanish School.  

Height: The Lipizzaner horses stand in the range of 15.1HH to 16.2HH. 

Colors: The original Lipizzaner horses had coat colors of dun, spotted, and bay along with the gray which is predominant today. The grays are born dark and take several years to change to the gray coat. Some bays are still produced and it is tradition that the Spanish School has one bay Lipizzaner. 

Description: The Lipizzaner is a very striking horse. They mature late and work into their 20’s. They have attractive heads; short, muscular necks and flat withers; a long back, rounded quarters, and short, muscular legs. 

Temperament: The Lipizzaner is a long-lived and intelligent horse. 

Uses: The Lipizzaner is used for riding in many parts of the world and in some areas is still used for farm work and light draft work.