Horse Breeds: Kiger Mustang, Kirdi Pony, Kisber Felver, Kiso, Kladruby, Knabstrup

R MUSTANG*transportation and agriculture. During the Meiji period,
In 1977, in Lake County, Oregon- a herd of hoursesJapan was involved in several wars against foreign
that appeared to have a strong Spanish heritage werecountries. Kiso horses are small in size, and the
brought in. All of the horses in the mustang herd hadauthorities discouraged purebred breeding of Kiso- and
zebra striped legs and dorsal stripes. The Kigerencouraged cross breeding programs with larger
Mustang has a barb head and average weight of 750horses. Almost all Kiso stallians were castrated after
pounds.World War II by a governmental program.
The Kiger Mustang was preserved. The found herdThe temperament of Kiso horses is similar to hat of
was split into two groups, and measures were takenTarpan. They have a similar appearance to the
to be sure that no other horse breeds were in themongolian horse.
area where the horses were released.*KLADRUBY*
Through the Adopt-a-horse program, many KigerKladruby horses are used to produce heavy carraige
Mustangs have been adopted and have shown thathorses for ceremonial four and six-in-hand tractions.
they have a willingness to learn and are good workers.The Kladruber are warm blooded horses of Spanish
*KIRDI PONY*and Italian origins, which has adapted well to the climate
Found in both southwest Chad and northernfound in Central Europe. They are bred in black and
Cameroon, the Kirdi Pony is used primarily as a horsewhite, and the population is heavily inbred which makes
for riding.it vulnerable.
*KISBER FELVER*Most Kladruby horses are now used for sport driving,
Developed for the breeding of Thoroughbred horses,and both the black and white types have won in world
the Kisber Felver was developed in Hungary. Manychampionship, four in hand driving events. There are
racing horses were produced by the stud, including anonly about 90 females remaining (as of 1995), and is
unbeatable mare that is in the Guinness Book of Worldconsidered a very rare horse breed.
Races for over 54 races. The Kisber Felver was*KNABSTRUP*
created over a hundred years ago from carefulThe Vikings were known to use Knabstrup horses, the
selection, and a controlled breeding program to createbreed originated in Denmark. The original size of
the desirable sport horse in conformation, movement,Knabstrup horses was around 14 hands. Their
athletic ability and termperament.characteristics included tractable temperament and
World War I and II have left Hungary with nearly nonehigh speed and endurance abilities.
of their horses. There are Kisber Felver horses in theToday's Knabstrup breeding is primarily done to
US from public auctions in 1947 when a few peoplepreseve the horse for a Danish riding horse, and the
understood the value of these horses and broughtsize doesn't matter. Most breeds require their horses
them to the states.to be of a certain size, which is one characteristic that
Kisber Felvers are able to perform in all horsemakes the Knabstrup breed unique. They are beautiful
disciplines, and breeding aims to produce horses thathorses with spotted coats and can have any number
are beautiful, have great endurance, character andof color combinations. They are friendly and calm, with
mental and physical balance. They range in size fromgreat intelligence and a desire to learn. You'll find
15 to 17 hands.Knabstrup horses in circuses.
*KISO*The average height of a Knabstrup horse is 15 or 16
A Japanese breed, the Kiso has inhabited Japan for athands.
least 1,000 years. Their exact origin is not known, but itIn the previous years, Knabstrup horses have ben
is believed that they are descendants of the Mongolianused in the cavalry, as riding and work horses, and as
horses of the grasslands or the plateau horses ofmilkwagon horses. Most uses of the breed in current
Central Asia.times are for carriage horses or riding.
Japan uses their horses for military purposes and for