Knabstrupper

The Knabstrupper, or Knabstrup horse, is a warmblood equine breed that can be traced back to Flaebehoppen, a spotted mare who lived in Denmark in 1812 and was bred to a Frederiksborg stallion. These rare horses are beloved for their balanced temperament, athletic talents, and spotted coat that’s similar to that of the Appaloosa horse. 

Knabstrupper Snapshot

• Height: 15.2–16 hands (60.8–64 inches)

• Weight: 1,100 pounds

• Lifespan: 25–30 years

• Colors: Leopard spotting; can have solid colors (e.g., gray, chestnut, bay)

Caring for a Knabstrupper

The Knabstrupper horse is hardy, so they aren’t difficult to care for overall. They enjoy being active and spending time with people. Routine veterinary care, dental care, and farrier care can help keep this horse healthy for many years.

However, there are some things to pay extra attention to: Knabstruppers can be susceptible to sunburn if they have light-colored coats (sunscreen like the Equus Magnificus Essential Equine Horse Sunscreen is a must-have!). They can also inherit genetic diseases that affect their vision, and sport horses can be prone to injuries, especially if overworked. 

Knabstrupper Health Issues

The Knabstrupper horse breed can inherit some genetic health problems, and can also be susceptible to issues that affect all horses with age.

Here are some of the conditions that are seen in Knabstruppers:

Fragile Foal Syndrome (FFS)

Fragile foal syndrome (FFS) is also known as warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS). This is an inherited disease that affects connective tissue throughout the body.

FFS can cause premature birth. When a foal is born with it, symptoms include:

• Skin that’s thin, fragile, and hyperextensible

• Limb joints that are hyperextensible

• Open lesions

• Floppy ears

• Seroma (accumulation of serum in parts of the body)

• Hematoma (accumulation of blood outside of blood vessels)

• Subcutaneous emphysema (air pocket under the skin)

• Hydrops (fluid buildup in tissues and organs)

Sadly, there is no treatment or cure for FFS, so foals are humanely euthanized shortly after birth if it is determined that they have this disease.

Genetic tests can reveal if horses are carriers of the PLOD1 gene mutation that causes FFS. If they are, avoiding breeding them can help prevent passing this disease on to offspring.

Moon Blindness

Knabstruppers, like Appaloosas, have the leopard complex gene, and this makes them prone to moon blindness, which is also known as equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). This immune-mediated disease causes the body to attack the eyes, resulting in repeated episodes of inflammation.

This condition can lead to pain, corneal ulcers, cataracts, and glaucoma. Ultimately, it can cause blindness—it is actually the top cause of blindness in horses. Symptoms include:

• Tearing

• Squinting

• Constricted pupil

• Cloudy cornea

• Redness

• Sensitivity to light

During an ERU episode, a veterinarian can prescribe medications for pain and inflammation. A veterinary ophthalmologist can also be consulted, and they might recommend gentamicin eye injections or cyclosporine implants. Severe cases might require surgical removal of the eye.

Congenital Stationary Night Blindness

Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is another condition that affects the eyes. It is also commonly seen in breeds like the Knabstrupper and Appaloosa because they can carry two copies of the leopard complex.

CSNB causes horses to be unable to see in low-light conditions, so you might notice your Knabstrupper having trouble navigating their environment between dusk and dawn. They might be anxious or confused and might not want to move for fear of knocking into things.

Horses are born with this condition, but it doesn’t worsen over time. There’s no cure, but you can make changes to your horse’s environment, such as providing some light in their stall at night, to make them more comfortable.

Genetic testing can help prevent this disease from being passed on to offspring.

What To Feed a Knabstrupper

Knabstrupper horses are considered easy keepers, meaning they can gain weight easily, so you don’t need to feed them a lot to help them maintain a healthy weight. If fed improperly, they could end up gaining too much weight rather quickly, which can have an adverse effect on their health.

Avoid feeding your Knabstrupper foods that are too high in sugar and simple starches. You can limit the amount of pasture and hay they consume by using a grazing muzzle and slow feeder. Horses who are very active can be given grass hay, alfalfa hay, and beet pulp for fiber.

Generally, you can feed a horse roughly 2% of their body weight in forage. As an example, a Knabstrupper who weighs 1,000 pounds would need about 20 pounds of forage daily. Always ensure your horse has access to fresh, clean water and a salt block, too.

Work with a veterinarian to come up with the right diet for your horse based on their age, activity level, and overall health, especially if they have a metabolic condition.

Also, talk to your veterinarian about giving your horse supplements (e.g., vitamins, minerals, healthy fats) to ensure they get all of the nutrients, support, and energy they need. For example, some sport horses may benefit from joint supplements or concentrates that provide more energy.

Knabstrupper Disciplines

The three types of Knabstrupper horses are called baroque, sport, and pony. While the pony version is a great choice for kids, the sport and baroque types are talented sport horses.

The Knabstrupper is agile, strong, and athletic, and can perform extremely well in a variety of disciplines, such as:

• Jumping

• Dressage

• Eventing

• Driving

• Vaulting

• Trail riding

In addition to competing in equestrian sports, Knabstruppers are also great for general riding. They’ve even been used in circuses, and can also do well in therapy work.

Knabstrupper Personality and Temperament

Knabstruppers are known for their intelligence, curiosity, and willingness to learn and follow cues, making them easy to work with. They’re also friendly, sociable, cooperative, and calm, so they’re a pleasure to be around.

Because of their even temperament, Knabstruppers can be a good choice for riders of all experience levels, including beginners and children. After working with this horse, you might also be surprised by how quickly you build a strong bond with them. 

Knabstrupper Training

Knabstrupper horses are eager to please and hard-working, so they can be easy to train. Every training session can be a great way for them to get some physical activity and mental stimulation, which will satisfy their need for exercise and their curiosity.  

Knabstruppers can be trained while they’re foals. As they grow and gain confidence, they can develop healthy relationships with people of all ages and experience levels. Always use a calm and gentle approach, and keep training sessions positive and fun, especially since the Knabstrupper horse can be sensitive.

Knabstrupper Grooming Guide

When it comes to grooming, Knabstruppers just need a standard brushing routine that will clean and smooth their coat.

Because Knabstruppers can be susceptible to sunburn, particularly on light-colored parts of their body and face (areas where their skin is pink and their hair is white), care should be taken to protect them from UV rays. For example, you can use equine sunscreen, fly masks, and fly sheets, in addition to providing them with shelter and access to shade. 

Coat Care

To care for your Knabstrupper’s coat, brush them daily using tools like a curry comb, dandy brush, body brush, and face brush. You can also target the mane and tail with a mane and tail comb. Be thorough and gentle to remove debris and massage the skin.

For horses with a white coat that can more easily show stains, consider using an equine shampoo that cleans and brightens the coat. 
 

Hoof Care

Knabstruppers should have their hooves examined and cleaned daily to ensure they’re healthy and strong. Using a durable hoof pick will make it easy to remove dirt, rocks, and other debris from the hooves. If you notice signs of problems, such as cracks or symptoms of infection, contact your veterinarian to get your horse the right treatment.  

In addition to daily routine hoof care, hiring a farrier is necessary to ensure your Knabstrupper’s hooves are balanced and trimmed. Whether your horse competes in sporting events or is only used for riding, this is an essential part of their care.