Vlaamperd
| Vlaamperd | |
|---|---|
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| Important data | |
| Origin: | South Africa |
| Main breeding area: | South Africa |
| Distribution: | South Africa, rarely |
| Stick measure : | 147-157 cm |
| Colors : | Black horses, mares occasionally dark brown |
| Main application area: | Driving horse, riding horse |
The Vlaamperd (also SA Vlamperd or Vlamperd ) is a horse breed that developed in South Africa beginning in the 19th century . The main basis was Frisians imported from the Netherlands and Belgium .
Background information on horse evaluation and breeding can be found under: Exterior , interior and horse breeding .
Exterior
The Vlaamperd is a small horse with a noble exterior, the stick size is between 147 and 157 cm. Like the Frisians, the Vlaamperds are black horses, black-brown or dark-brown are also permitted as coat colors for mares. Lighter colors are strictly forbidden in breeding as this is seen as evidence that other breeds have been crossed.
interior
The Vlaamperd is a willing horse with a good character and fine movements with a high knee action. The breed is most successful in driving . Vlaamperds go in two, four and eight-in-hand horses and are often presented as an attraction at parties, weddings and tourism. With its elegant movements, the Vlaamperd is also popular as a riding and dressage horse.
Breeding history
In 1820, Governor Lord Charles Somerset imported several stallions into what was then the Cape Colony . Most of them were Thoroughbreds and Arabs . These stallions were crossed with native Cape Horse mares. The result were noble riding horses, which are considered the first Hantam horses .
During the early 19th century, farmers came into contact with the Dutch Frisians , who were imported into the country in large numbers and who replaced the hantam horse by crossbreeding. German heavy warm-blooded animals, East Frisians and Oldenburgs , who were known for their good qualities as driving horses, were also imported. Particularly noteworthy is the East Frisian-Oldenburg stallion with the name Kemp , which was of great importance in the development of the Vlaamperd. In addition, were Hackney and Cleveland Bay used for breeding. The stallion Scheepers, born in 1930, had the greatest influence on Vlaamperds who were born after 1940 .
During the development of an independent breed in the early 20th century, the Dutch authorities prohibited the export of Friesian horses in order to control their own breeding. In order to circumvent the law, Frisians began to be imported from Antwerp instead . The area around Antwerp was called Flanders , which is why the name Vlaamse perde (Flemish horse) for these horses was naturalized in South Africa . The similar name Vlaamperd was then chosen as the name of the new South African breed. The Vlaamperd Breeder's Society (SA Vlaamperd Breeder's Society) was founded in 1983 in Bloemfontein . The breed is relatively rare today.