Editing Holsteiner (section)

==Breed characteristics==

Holsteiners are medium-framed horses averaging between {{hands|16|and|17}} at the [[withers]]. Approved [[stallion]]s must be a minimum of 16 hands and mares a minimum of {{hands|15.2}}.<ref name=AHHAthehorse /><ref name=AHHAbreedingrules>{{cite web |url=http://www.holsteiner.com/BreedingRules/2008BreedingRules.pdf |title=Breeding and Registration Rules |publisher=American Holsteiner Horse Association |access-date=19 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184912/http://www.holsteiner.com/BreedingRules/2008BreedingRules.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}<br />{{cite web|title=Statutes of the Verband der Züchter des Holsteiner Pferdes e. V.|edition=05/2019|url=https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c81f1d_a66db2d55c414bc4a2955e6851db3bec.pdf|access-date=22 October 2019|via=Holsteiner Verband North American Breeding District}}</ref> The type, or general appearance, exhibited by Holsteiners should be that of an athletic riding horse.<ref name=GHVconcept /> As a breed, Holsteiners are known for their arched, rather high-set necks and powerful [[rump (animal)|hindquarters]].<ref name=AHHAthehorse /><ref name=AHHAhorse2>{{cite web|url=http://www.holsteiner.com/horse.html |title=Description of the Holsteiner Horse |publisher=American Holsteiner Horse Association Inc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120192607/http://www.holsteiner.com/horse.html |archive-date=20 November 2008 }}</ref> The heavy neck was perpetuated even in modern Holsteiners with the help of Ladykiller xx and his son, Landgraf.<ref name=greatlandgraf>{{cite web|url=https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2010/08/landgraf/|title=Landgraf |work=Horse Magazine |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=22 October 2019 }}</ref> In centuries past, Holsteiners retained the hallmark Roman nose of the [[Baroque horse]], but today it has been replaced by a smaller head with large, intelligent eyes.<ref name=AHHAthehorse /> These conformational characteristics give most Holsteiners good balance and elegant movement.<ref name=AHHAthehorse />

Before the onset of mechanization, these horses were used in agriculture, as [[driving (horse)|coach horses]], and occasionally for riding. The [[closed stud book]] and careful preservation of female family lines has ensured, in an era of globalization, the horses of Holstein have a unique character.  While the active [[horse gait|gaits]], arched neck, and attractive manner in [[Horse harness|harness]] of the early [[foundation bloodstock]] have been retained, the breed survived because of the willingness of its breeders to conform to changing market demands.<ref name=AHHAthehorse /> The high-headed jump and leg faults were corrected with supple, basculing jumping technique and structurally correct improvement sires.<ref name=schockemohl /> In the past 15 or 20 years, even more pronounced refinement and aesthetic appeal have occurred.<ref name=hector2 />

{{multiple image |perrow=2 |total_width=300 |image_style=border:none;
|header = 
|image1 = Holsteiner Brandzeichen.svg
|image2 = Holstein Brand.jpg
|footer = The crowned Holsteiner shield brand
}}
The easiest way to identify a Holsteiner is by the [[livestock branding|hot brand]] on the left hip, which is given to [[foal]]s when they are inspected for their papers and passport.<ref name=proposalAHHA>{{cite web|url=http://www.holsteiner.com/General%20Information/2007Information/VerbandProposalTranslationinEnglish.pdf |title=Verband Proposal |publisher=American Holsteiner Horse Association |author=Holsteiner Verband |date=26 January 2007 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Foals outside of the main registry can receive an alternate brand.<ref name=AHHAbreedingrules /> In most cases, the last two digits of the life number are part of the brand.
<!--this is now skipping around a lot, we have some history, some breed characteristics, naming conventions, and some info on brands that is sort of jumbled around-->
Many male Holsteiners have names beginning in the letters "C" or "L" due to the dominance of male lines perpetuated by Cor de la Bryére, Cottage Son xx, Clarimos and Ladykiller xx.<ref name=AHHAnames>{{cite web|url=http://www.holsteiner.com/NamingOfFoals.htm |title=Naming of Foals |publisher=American Holsteiner Horse Association, Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010001010/http://www.holsteiner.com/NamingOfFoals.htm |archive-date=10 October 2008 }}</ref> However, since Holsteiners from those families are used to add jumping ability to other [[warmblood]] breeding programs, non-Holstein warmbloods also often have those initials. Fillies, though, are named by year with I and J being the same year and Q and X not being used. For example, fillies born in 1986 and 2008 had names beginning in the letter "A".<ref name=AHHAnames /> The use of the sire's name as part of the name of his offspring is discouraged.<ref name=AHHAnames />

===Gaits===
[[File:Holsteiner 0001.jpg|thumb|A modern Holsteiner horse]]
Holsteiners in general have round, generous, elastic strides with impulsion from the haunches and natural balance.<ref name=AHHAbreedingrules /> In motion, Holsteiners retain the character of their coach driving<!--"coaching" sounds like sport--> forebears, often exhibiting more articulation<!--"Articulation?"  Do you mean action, flexion, extension...high-stepping action?--> of the joints than is common among other warmbloods.<ref name=AHHAbreedingrules /> The acknowledged specialization for jumping capacity in the breed sometimes means the quality of the walk and trot suffer, though this is not the rule.<ref name=schockemohl /> The [[canter]], which is typically light, soft, balanced, and dynamic, is the best gait of the Holsteiner.<ref name=AHHAbreedingrules />

===Jumping===
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The strongest asset of the Holsteiner breed is their [[Jumping (horse)|jumping]] ability.  Even the average Holsteiner usually exhibits great power and scope, and correct technique.<ref name=GHVconcept /> The scope and power were inherited from the heavier old Holsteiners, but they lacked carefulness, speed, adjustability, bascule, and technique. Improvement sires like [[Cor de la Bryere|Cor de la Bryére]] successively eliminated these flaws, making the Holsteiner breed internationally known for Olympic-caliber jumping.<ref name=100yrramzes /><ref name=hector3 /> Werner Schockemöhle, a leading breeder of warmblood sport horses in neighboring Oldenburg said no breeding community in the world has a better knowledge of the show-jumping horse than the breeders of Holstein.<ref name=schockemohl />

===Coat colors===
[[File:HolsteinerOE.jpg|thumb|An 1898 lithograph of a Holsteiner horse shows the bay coat and coach horse qualities, including a docked tail.]]
Similar to horse breeds in the nearby areas of Oldenburg, Groningen, and Friesland, traditional Holsteiners were dark-[[equine coat color|colored]] and minimally [[horse markings|marked]]. This tendency has evolved into a preference for [[black (horse)|black]], [[bay (horse)|dark bay]], and [[Seal brown (horse)|brown]], though lighter shades such as [[chestnut (coat)|chestnuts]] and [[gray (horse)|grays]] are also permitted.<ref name=AHHAhorse2 /> Horses with large white spots suggestive of [[Pinto horse|pinto]] patterning or any of the traits associated with [[Leopard complex|leopard]]-spotting are excluded from the registry. [[cream gene|Palomino and buckskin]] are not acceptable colors for the Holsteiner.

===Temperament===
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There are unflappable, lazy Holsteiners and sensitive, spooky Holsteiners. Some families, like that of Capitol I, are known for an uncomplicated temperament.<ref name=hector3 /> [[Amateur]]s can find uncomplicated, cooperative, steady mounts, and professionals can find bold, sensitive rides; there is no one perfect temperament. Many Holsteiners are well-balanced, strong-nerved, reliable, and bold.<ref name=GHVconcept /> Some critics of the breed, or particular lineages within it, find that strong selection for jumping performance results in capable high-level jumpers, but at the cost of rideability.<ref name=schockemohl />