Abtenauer
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The Abtenauer is a German horse that is an endangered draft breed. It is the smallest variant of the Noriker horse. It is very strong despite its small height. Bred in the isolated valley of Abtenau, south of Salzburg, it is a consolidated population in itself. Of lighter bone than the Noriker, the Abtenauer breeds true to type and is well adapted to the poor soil on which it lives.
This breed is known for its easy, flowing trotting action. The Abtenauer is an elegantly built draft horse with a well-shaped head and strong legs. Abtenauers usually come in black, chestnut, or blue roan; black is the most common color but all colors are accepted except leopard spotting. Since they are a coldblooded breed, they are used for draft work.
Mares and foals spend the summers in pasture high in the mountains and are fed salt once a week to prevent them from becoming feral. They spend the summer freely roaming the alpine meadows with cattle. Often foals are born with peculiar curly coats that are lost when the baby hair is shed.
Because of its agility and good sense of balance, this breed is valuable for work in mountain forests. The Abtenauer has a quiet willing disposition, and stand between 14.3 to 15 hands high.
[edit] External links
- http://geocities.com/all_equestrian_info/abtenauer
- http://www.angelfire.com/wi/foreverfarms/breed.html
- International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds - written by Bonnie Hendricks - page 3
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