By Line Holm Rasmussen // Photos: Our readers
Laban’s mane clearly shows that he is part Fjord horse. Photo: Private
Laban is a very pretty mix of a Norwegian Fjord horse and a Friesian horse. Laban’s owner does not doubt the fact that it is the Fjord horse in him that has influenced his personality the most. She describes him as: “A typical Fjord horse - unique, good-natured, food-loving, stubborn but still incredibly loving, and he is very fond of children.” The Friesian part of him is expressed in his gaits, and in terms of his appearance, he resembles the Fjord horse quite a lot. Laban’s owner is particularly pleased with his personality, mind and beautiful color.
We will now take a closer look at horses, which are not one particular breed, but instead some that are a mix of two different breeds. To get an insight into the different combinations out there, we asked our readers to share pictures and descriptions of their mixed horses. This resulted in a lot of beautiful pictures - and a lot of different horses. Here you get the opportunity to see some of the wonderful mixed horses.
Joker is 19 years old and his long mane clearly shows the two different colors. Photo: Julie Sofia Elizabett Søndergaard
Especially within the world of dog breeding, it has become popular to mix the breeds that have certain traits, which compliment each other well. In recent years, for example, it has become incredibly popular to mix many different dog breeds with a poodle, to achieve the fine curly coat. But it is actually also this way of thinking that has helped to create the many horse breeds we have today. By identifying special traits and characteristics in the different breeds, one can combine them in a way where the different traits compliment each other.
Just like Laban, Joker is also part Norwegian Fjord horse breed. But Joker is the result of a mix of the Fjord horse and a Danish Warmblood. Joker’s owner, Julie, describes him as a “One of a kind and a little special”. Julie has no doubt that Joker has his temperament from the Fjord horse: “He is really calm, and it takes a lot to scare him - that probably comes from the Fjord horse. In addition, he definitely also has his own opinions.” In relation to Joker’s appearance, Julie says that he has a dorsal stripe along his back, a great set of hair and the beautiful color from the Fjord horse - and these things make him “indescribably beautiful” in her eyes.
Nina bought Beuty as a 1-year-old, and Beuty is currently expecting her second foal. Photo: Nina Stauersbøl Olsson
In order to create a new horse breed, you begin by identifying the characteristics you want in the new breed, and then find the certain characteristics in existing breeds. Sometimes one of the animals in the pair is more dominant than the other in the breeding, and the foal inherits several traits - good as well as bad traits - from the dominant parent. A breed can only really be registered as a breed, when the breeding is type-fixed, which often happens after five generations in breeding.
An example of a newer breed that has emerged after mixing existing horse breeds is the Warlander breed. A Warlander is a mix of a Friesian horse and Iberian horse breeds such as Lusitano horses. The Warlander breed was officially registered as a horse breed in 2010.
Beuty is a beautiful mix of a Friesian and a Knabstrupper horse. We had quite a few readers who shared pictures of combinations with a Knabstrupper, and it was clear that the foals often inherit the spots - just like Beuty. Beuty’s owner, Nina, explained that Beuty is six years old and has a height around 153 cm, which is a great size for Nina. She describes Beuty as a “pocket horse who loves cuddles. She is the one who always comes over and wants to talk and cuddle with us”. Beuty is not trained in riding yet, but she is very cool when it comes to getting the gear on; “She takes everything in stride,” says Nina.
According to Katja, Athene is definitely a mare with her own opinions. Photo: Katja Quilty
Athene is a mix of a Pinto and a Haflinger horse. Athene’s owner, Katja, says that Athene clearly has her personality from the Haflinger and her looks and beauty from the Pinto. It is easy to see that the Pinto horse has influenced Athenes appearance, as her beautiful markings are reminiscent of a Pinto's. Katja also describes Athene as “a rock with all four hooves well placed on the ground - it takes a lot to shake her”.
Bell is currently pregnant and expecting a foal whose father is a Thoroughbred. Photo: Mai Smidt Jakobsen
The mare Bell is a mix of a Welsh cob and a Danish Warmblood. Bell’s owner, Mai, says that Bell is “the most gentle creature on earth. She would never hurt a fly, and she is always easy to be around!” Mai says that it is clear from Bell’s appearance that she is a combination of a Welsh cob and a Danish Warmblood - she says “Bell has had the honor of having a physique like her father (Welsh cob) and the height of her mother (Danish Warmblood), she is 1.70.” Mai is very pleased with Bell’s form as she uses her for driving: “A really good combination for driving, which is what I use her for. She is short and wide, so she can pull and turn quite quickly.”
By Line Holm Rasmussen // Photos: Our readers
Laban’s mane clearly shows that he is part Fjord horse. Photo: Private
Laban is a very pretty mix of a Norwegian Fjord horse and a Friesian horse. Laban’s owner does not doubt the fact that it is the Fjord horse in him that has influenced his personality the most. She describes him as: “A typical Fjord horse - unique, good-natured, food-loving, stubborn but still incredibly loving, and he is very fond of children.” The Friesian part of him is expressed in his gaits, and in terms of his appearance, he resembles the Fjord horse quite a lot. Laban’s owner is particularly pleased with his personality, mind and beautiful color.
We will now take a closer look at horses, which are not one particular breed, but instead some that are a mix of two different breeds. To get an insight into the different combinations out there, we asked our readers to share pictures and descriptions of their mixed horses. This resulted in a lot of beautiful pictures - and a lot of different horses. Here you get the opportunity to see some of the wonderful mixed horses.
Joker is 19 years old and his long mane clearly shows the two different colors. Photo: Julie Sofia Elizabett Søndergaard
Just like Laban, Joker is also part Norwegian Fjord horse breed. But Joker is the result of a mix of the Fjord horse and a Danish Warmblood. Joker’s owner, Julie, describes him as a “One of a kind and a little special”. Julie has no doubt that Joker has his temperament from the Fjord horse: “He is really calm, and it takes a lot to scare him - that probably comes from the Fjord horse. In addition, he definitely also has his own opinions.” In relation to Joker’s appearance, Julie says that he has a dorsal stripe along his back, a great set of hair and the beautiful color from the Fjord horse - and these things make him “indescribably beautiful” in her eyes.
Especially within the world of dog breeding, it has become popular to mix the breeds that have certain traits, which compliment each other well. In recent years, for example, it has become incredibly popular to mix many different dog breeds with a poodle, to achieve the fine curly coat. But it is actually also this way of thinking that has helped to create the many horse breeds we have today. By identifying special traits and characteristics in the different breeds, one can combine them in a way where the different traits compliment each other.
Nina bought Beuty as a 1-year-old, and Beuty is currently expecting her second foal. Photo: Nina Stauersbøl Olsson
In order to create a new horse breed, you begin by identifying the characteristics you want in the new breed, and then find the certain characteristics in existing breeds. Sometimes one of the animals in the pair is more dominant than the other in the breeding, and the foal inherits several traits - good as well as bad traits - from the dominant parent. A breed can only really be registered as a breed, when the breeding is type-fixed, which often happens after five generations in breeding.
An example of a newer breed that has emerged after mixing existing horse breeds is the Warlander breed. A Warlander is a mix of a Friesian horse and Iberian horse breeds such as Lusitano horses. The Warlander breed was officially registered as a horse breed in 2010.
Beuty is a beautiful mix of a Friesian and a Knabstrupper horse. We had quite a few readers who shared pictures of combinations with a Knabstrupper, and it was clear that the foals often inherit the spots - just like Beuty. Beuty’s owner, Nina, explained that Beuty is six years old and has a height around 153 cm, which is a great size for Nina. She describes Beuty as a “pocket horse who loves cuddles. She is the one who always comes over and wants to talk and cuddle with us”. Beuty is not trained in riding yet, but she is very cool when it comes to getting the gear on; “She takes everything in stride,” says Nina.
Bell is currently pregnant and expecting a foal whose father is a Thoroughbred. Photo: Mai Smidt Jakobsen
The mare Bell is a mix of a Welsh cob and a Danish Warmblood. Bell’s owner, Mai, says that Bell is “the most gentle creature on earth. She would never hurt a fly, and she is always easy to be around!” Mai says that it is clear from Bell’s appearance that she is a combination of a Welsh cob and a Danish Warmblood - she says “Bell has had the honor of having a physique like her father (Welsh cob) and the height of her mother (Danish Warmblood), she is 1.70.” Mai is very pleased with Bell’s form as she uses her for driving: “A really good combination for driving, which is what I use her for. She is short and wide, so she can pull and turn quite quickly.”
According to Katja, Athene is definitely a mare with her own opinions. Photo: Katja Quilty
Athene is a mix of a Pinto and a Haflinger horse. Athene’s owner, Katja, says that Athene clearly has her personality from the Haflinger and her looks and beauty from the Pinto. It is easy to see that the Pinto horse has influenced Athenes appearance, as her beautiful markings are reminiscent of a Pinto's. Katja also describes Athene as “a rock with all four hooves well placed on the ground - it takes a lot to shake her”.