Lipizzan Breed Description
by June Boardman
Conformation
General -The Lipizzan is an average sized horse with individuals ranging between 14.0 hands and 16.0 hands. The optimum height is 15.0 to 15.2 hands. The Lipizzan tends to be slightly rectangular in shape. The bone structure is large in proportion to its height. Foals are born black, brown, or dark gray, but the adult color is predominately gray, appearing white, with a few individuals remaining black or bay throughout their lives. Flea specks are seen frequently and are not considered a fault.
Head and Neck- The head and neck display the baroque character of the Lipizzan. The head may be straight or slightly convex in profile. The eyes are large, dark and expressive. The jaw is pronounced especially on the stallions. The ears are small and active. The neck is strong, arched and high set. The poll area should be long enough to allow the head to become perpendicular to the ground without pinching the area of the salivary glands. The mane may be long and flowing or fine and short.
Shoulders and Withers- The shoulders are muscular and will vary in length and slope. The withers of many Lipizzans are low and wide. Modern breeding practices encourage a more sloping shoulder and more pronounced withers.
Legs -The joints correspond to the bone structure and are strong and well defined. The hooves are also large, well formed and have unusually thick walls. Both the front and rear cannon bones are short compared to the upper leg. The pasterns are strong and often rather short. The legs should be straight with no deviation from the center line.
Back - The back and loins are strong and well muscled. The back should be of medium length to allow for bascule, the upward rounding of the back required for collected movements.
Croup and Hindquarters - The croup is slightly rounded. The hindquarters are deep and muscular. The tail is set somewhat high and is carried expressively.
Top line - The line from the poll to the tail should be smooth with no points or lumps.
Movement-
Walk - The walk should be active and regular with over reaching steps.
Trot - The trot shows suspension and expression. Some individuals display more distinct knee action than others. The horse should show the ability to collect and extend the trot.
Canter - The horse should leap actively into canter with a rounded back if it is to be used for riding. Driving horses may use more of a "lever action." As with the trot, the horse should show willingness to collect and extend the canter.
In all gaits the horse should move freely and without excessive paddling.
The Lipizzan at liberty will perform the airs-above-the-ground including levade, courbette and capriole without training. Canter pirouettes, passage are also displayed for the joy of the movements by even the youngest.
Character and Temperament-
The Lipizzan is highly intelligent and easily trained. Friendly and inquisitive, even the stallions are very manageable and pleasant to handle. Due to their intelligence, each Lipizzan is an individual with a unique personality. Their intellect can be developed to enhance their performance capabilities. The ideal trainer for a Lipizzan will be one who thinks through the questions the horse asks and can respond within a variety of modes. It is important that the trainer and rider keep in mind that the Lipizzan matures late both physically and intellectually. These horses should not start serious training until they reach the age of three and a half to four years of age.
Pedigree Documentation
A Lipizzan is considered a purebred if every ancestor in its pedigree is a documented purebred tracing in every line to one of the original Lipizzans or to an accepted breeding experiment produced by a one of a small group of recognized stud farms. The breed is now closed to outside breeding. Buyers have the right to expect a registration certificate from one of the recognized registries and a five generation pedigree when purchasing a purebred Lipizzan. In the United States the United States Lipizzan Registry and the Lipizzan Association of North America both register purebreds and partbreds.
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