At that time already, the mares got bonits for the following 6 characteristics: parentage, height, colour, elegance, gaits and conformation. The ancient method still is the basis for graduation, but has considerably been refi ned. More than 20 years ago, a system to check the performance disposition of young mares was developed in Holstein, the so-called mare tests, a standard for all sport horse breeds in Europe.

PERFORMANCE AND EXTERIEUR

In the past century already, there has been an exact idea regarding the type of the Holsteiner horse. This important breeding feature has survived until today and is cared about with pride by the breeders: Holsteiner horses are one of the rare original breeds in warmblood breeding, thus being regarded worldwide as something special. Besides the type, the correctness of the body, especially the top line and formation of the legs are the most important characteristics for judging, in which Holsteiner breeders are strict, but ready to compromise.

800 MARES PER YEAR

When judging the mares, besides the type, the performance of the basic gaits is in the fore. About 800 mares per year are registered in the stud-book for mares (central stud book) according to the strict criteria. There they are regarded according to their bonits: from 47 points on for type, top line, foreleg, hind-leg, walk, trot, and canter, the mares are awarded a district premium, from 52 points on the award is a Verband’s premium. A Verband’s premium mare that successfully passed a mare test with an average score of 7.0 gets a “state premium” which is very much sought-after by the breeders. Only about 80 mares, 8 % of the annually registered crop, achieve this award. This strong selection guarantees the Holstein breeding success. At the moment the Holstein stud-book is closed which means that there will be no mares registered from other breeds. With the stallions it is different. Since a couple of years, besides thoroughbreds also stallions f from foreign breeds with an outstanding performance or pedigree can be used in a special breeding program.