The horse breed Leonharder horse is a relatively new horse breed, which convinces rideability and motivation. The Leonhard horse can be used as a riding horse by children as well as adults.
Breed description
The Leonhard horse is one of the special horse breeds. It is versatile as a riding horse. The very young horse breed is a cross between three pure-bred horse types and inspires with its noble and expressive head and strong physique.
It is good-willed and lively and displays a balanced temperament. By combining the best breed characteristics of three horses, the Leonhard horse distinguishes itself as particularly docile, undemanding, and good riding characteristics.
Size: 140-162 cm
Weight: 500 – 600 kg
Origin: Germany
Lifespan: 30 – 40 years
Color: All colors; dark colors and shades are preferred
Suitable as: Dressage, leisure, jumping
Origin and breed history
The Leonhard horse has been bred in the Bavarian town of Grabenstat in Chiemgau since 2008. As is well known, necessity makes invention and this is how the new breed of horse emerged.
The farmer and breeder Johann Abfalter from St. Leonhards Hof had started milking mares in order to make a tasty natural cheese out of them.
The farm offers plenty of exercise on natural pastures and even in winter, the horses are only fed with organic-certified hay.
The problem was the foals. If the mares are milked regularly to produce cheese, they have to foal every year. What to do with the many foals?
The slaughterhouse or a sale to horse dealers was out of the question for Johann Abfalter, it would have run counter to his entire approach to life and the company’s philosophy. So he kept the foals and used them to breed a new breed of horse.
From the Haflinger, the Welsh Cob, and the Pura Raza Española, a breed known for a long time as the Andalusian, he created the new horse breed, the Leonhard horse.
Named after his farm. It combines the good milking characteristics of the good-natured Tyrolean Haflinger horse, its robust and strong physique as well as the surefootedness, the expansive step, and the beautiful coat color of the Welsh Cob breed.
The Welsh Cob is a cross of two Welsh pony breeds. The pure Spanish noble breed “Pura Raza Española” was added to refine both the exterior and the interior.
A breed of horse that has followed strict guidelines since 1912. The breed Pura Raza Española is characterized by its sublimity in expression, its gait, which is typical for Andalusians, and a high level of seating comfort when riding.
The Leonhard horse has been recognized and officially approved as an independent horse breed since 2011.
There are differences between the F-1 generation, a mating of purebred Welsh Cobs with Haflingers, and the F-2 generation, in which the F-1 breed was mated with the Pura Raza Española.
Since this is a very young breed, the final breeding goal has not yet been completed. The aim is that each of the three original breeds should be present with at least 12.5 percent genetic content.
Both stallions and mares are bred, with an entry in the studbook at the earliest when they are 3 years old.
The studbook is at the Bavarian Breeding Association for Small Horses and Special Breeds. Several foals from the St. Leonharder Hof have received awards from the breeding association in recent years. There were also gold premiums among them.
The appearance of the Leonhard horse
The Leonhard horse is characterized by an expressive head with rather small ears, a straight nose and alert and attentive eyes.
The neck is well muscled and tapers towards the top when the ganette is well developed.
The stable and muscular back has a nicely curved line and a pronounced croup.
The hat is also satisfactory and the high-set tail is well carried. In addition, breed characteristics are a broad chest with a long and sloping shoulder. The rib arch is well developed and with a large belt depth.
The feet & legs are dry, with well-developed joints, medium-length patterns, and round, large and well-formed hooves. His height is between 140 and 162 centimeters.
So far, all coat colors occur in the Leonhard horse. Dark colors are preferred.
Temperament and essence
With the Leonhard horse, a very good-willed, lively, extremely attractive riding and leisure horse has been bred through the combination of different breed characteristics.
It convinces with its balanced temperament, its willingness to perform, erudition, and rideability.
Above all, it is a very recommendable riding horse for children. You sit very well in the saddle on a Leonhard horse. The horse is brave and friendly and doesn’t let itself be shy. It’s very easy to get along with people.
You can also use this horse wonderfully for equestrian sports. It shows itself to be elastic in the course of movement out of the shoulder and proves (the Spanish blood!) A pronounced knee reaction.
Acceleration and thrust from the hindquarters are resilient and energetic. When walking, tab and canter, the Leonhard horse presents itself with a lot of tact security.
Husbandry and nutrition
Attitude
Like all horses, it does not want to stand alone in the pasture and in the stable. The animals live in herds on the St. Leonhards Hof.
It is best to already own a horse or pony or to keep your new pony together with other animals. Appropriate husbandry is very important for the health of your horse.
In winter, an open stable would be the optimal solution. If that is not possible, you should move your horse a lot, at least in winter. Horses are used to exercise as well as company.
Upbringing
The Leonhard horse comes from an organic farm and is used to natural feed. In general, all you need is fresh grass and hay in winter.
Remember that it receives enough fresh water and horses also need a salt lick, which they use more or less as needed.
However, a lick stone is not recommended for foals. If you want to do something good for your darling, occasionally bring them apples or carrots, which the horse likes to eat. Beets are also good complementary food in winter. You should only feed concentrated feed if your horse has to perform well.
Education and care
Upbringing
You will receive a Leonhard horse directly from the breeder as a foal. Either it has already broken in or you have to break it in yourself.
However, the animals are used to people and very docile. Anyone who already owns a Leonhard horse often describes it as clever and courageous.
In this respect, a Leonhard horse is also suitable for beginners and children. It’s best if you can build a good relationship with your horse right from the start.
No special or undesirable peculiarities of the Leonhard horse are known so far.
Maintenance
As with all ponies and small horses, the Leonhard horse needs a regular coat and mane grooming. In itself, however, it is undemanding and frugal, also in terms of care.
If you want to use your horse predominantly as a riding and leisure horse, you should pay attention to high-quality equipment right from the start. Get your horse used to the saddle and bridle in good time.
The Leonhard horse is also used as a workhorse or for the carriage. In itself, however, it is too noble to be used for fieldwork. With a good upbringing, it is more suitable as dressage and shows jumping horse.
Always take care of good hoof care. This is very important to prevent hoof diseases.
Health and Typical Diseases
Because it is a relatively young breed, typical diseases are not known. So far, however, the Leonhard horse has shown itself to be very robust and resilient. Hereditary diseases are not known. The crossbreeding resulted in an obviously strong horse breed.
Life expectancy
No definitive statements can be made about this or about the health of the horse, as this horse breed has only been bred since 2008.
Ponies generally have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years. Haflingers up to 40 years. Individual animals can get considerably older if they are kept in a species-appropriate and loving manner.
Buy a Leonhard horse
The best thing to do is to buy a Leonhard horse directly from the breeder. You can contact the St. Leonhards Hof on the internet. The Albfalter family is available for information and viewing appointments.
The herd has now grown to over a hundred foals. There will surely be a suitable one for you.
In terms of price, the purchase of a Leonhard horse does not exceed $2,200. Of course, young foals are cheaper.
Of course, it depends a lot on the type and appearance of the horse in question.
Already fully grown Leonhard horses are also offered for sale online by private customers.
Are you interested in ponies? How about the American Miniature Horse, Eel Line Horse, or the Anglo Arab?
Decision support
Anyone who can already call a Leonhard horse their own is enthusiastic about its strong nerves, calm, and reliability. But please keep in mind that this horse needs a lot of exercises.
It should have the opportunity to stand in the pasture with others or you ride it extensively.
A Leonhard horse is also quite suitable for equestrian sports. As a leisure horse, it can be ridden by both children and adults, regardless of its size, stature, and strength. It is extremely docile and likes to show its skills.
It is just as suitable as a family horse as it is as a showjumping and dressage horse.
A versatile horse breed from Bavaria that combines the advantages of three horse breeds.
For the time being, mainly the F-1 generation, the pairing between Haflingers and Welsh Cops, is offered.
