Frederiksborger 

If you are a fan of horses, or just want to learn more about this unique breed, Frederiksborger horses are definitely worth taking a closer look at.

They originated in Denmark and have been around for several centuries.

These horses are known for their athleticism, intelligence and gentle nature.

In this article we will cover everything you need to know about these amazing animals, including their history, physical characteristics and temperament.

Frederiksborger Breed Info

Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Frederiksborger horse:

Frederiksborger Facts & Information (Breed Profile)

The Frederiksborg Horse is a living piece of Danish cultural heritage and is the oldest pedigree domestic animal breed in the world.

It originated in the Royal Frederiksborg Stud, which was a beacon of Danish equine tradition for several hundred years.

Following the purchase of Hillerdsholm (later renamed Frederiksborg), king Frederik II established the Royal Frederiksborg Stud in 1562, populating it with the Neapolitan horses, the Iberian ancestors of the Andalusian horse, and the best horses form various royal stud farms.

The breeding program at the stud farm aimed to produce both elegant riding horses suitable for the haute école and more powerful horses to pull the royal carriages.

In 1660, after the establishment of absolute monarchy, with the court of France serving as a model, increased expectations were placed on the level of luxury and pomp that was shown during royal events.

Now, the horses in a team were required to have matching color, markings, and to be the same size.

The breeding program at Royal Frederiksborg Stud was so successful that it went through a century-long ‘golden-age’ during which their horses gained recognition and popularity across Europe for their noble bloodlines and exquisitely elegant builds.

They were called “Danish horses” due to their widespread usage of improving other breeds at stud farms all around Europe.

The Frederiksborg Horse was used as both a coach horse and a riding horse.

However, the breed’s popularity led to the export of too many horses, and by the middle of the 1800s, there were not enough horses left to continue with the successful breeding program.

Around 1871, the stud farm was closed, but farmers continued breeding Frederiksborg Horses in their own private stables.

Private individuals continue to carry out breeding programs today, with a group of roughly 400 breeders forming the Frederiksborg Horse Breeder Association.

There has been a resurgence of interest in the breed over the last decade, especially from other countries.

As a result, there are now Frederiksborg Horses in a number of countries in Europe and Scandinavia, and even a handful in the United States and Australia.

If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!

Alternative Names

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Temperament/Personality

Calm, friendly, docile, intelligent

Physical Characteristics

The head is well-proportioned, and the profile is straight or slightly convex.

The eyes are big, and the muzzle is wide.

The ears are pointed.

The neck is strong, high-set and crested.

The withers are pronounced and broad, and the shoulders are sloping.

The chest is deep, and the back is straight and short.

The hindquarters are wide, and legs are strong.

Colors

Even though chestnut is the most common, all solid colors, and white markings are allowed.

A flaxen version of chestnut and scattered white hairs in all basic colors are very common.

Dilution gene is present so Isabella, buckskin, and smokey black colored horses are getting more common.

Height (size)

15.7 – 16.5 hands high

Stallions

16.0 – 16.5 hh

Mares

15.7 – 16.2 hh

Weight

1,300 – 1,430 lbs (590 – 650 kg)

Blood Type

Warm

Common Uses

General driving, competitive combined driving, riding, sport

Health

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Popular Traits

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Feeding/Diet

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Country of Origin

Denmark

Ancestors

Neapolitan horse, Iberian horse; later Arabian and Norfolk Roadster