History:
The breed was developed at the Trakehnen stud in East Prussia, which was
founded by king Friederich Wilhelm I in 1732. The main reason for its
founding was to supply the royal stables with fresh up and coming young
horses. Different breeds were used for its creation, above all however, East
Prussian Landschlag horses. Today's Trakehner type was developed by means of
systematic upgrading orientated breeding with Arab and English
thoroughbreds. Prior to the Second World War, East Prussia was the largest
closed breeding region of Germany with approximately 40.000 horses. At the
end of the Second World War, about 1.000 horses were able to be rescued to
West Germany in a legendary and dramatic flight, which enabled the survival
and further breeding of the Trakehner breed. It is the only riding horse
breed in Germany where breeding is carried out with pure-breds.
Breeding:
The Trakehner breed encompassed a stock number of 4.529 registered
broodmares and 194 sires in 1999. It is striking that all the horses, both
mares and stallions bear names beginning with the initial letter of the
mother's name. By this means, the importance of the maternal origins is
honoured.
For this reason not only the names of famous stallions are provided here,
but also the mare lineages, that are the basis of the Trakehner breed. Here
the family of the mare Kasette which has produced the most offspring ranks
at the very forefront. This family is followed by those of Kordel,
Polarfahrt, Herbstzeit, Tapete, Donna, Paraea, Corrida, Pelargonie and many
more which had a very big influence on today's breeding during the post-war
period.
Features:
Trakehners are blood imprinted strong performance horses, with a great
deal of stamina and a sensitive character, who require riders with empathy.
They are represented in all fields of the riding and driving sport,
frequently also in top performance sport, but in particular, in three-day
eventing.
