Trakehners (the breed)

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dozzie

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I have always liked TBs (with a little bit of native/WB/ID)

But having looked at some Trakehner websites I have really taken to them.

But I have no experience of the breed.

So, what are they like? How easy are they to manage/train/ride? Obviously it is due to the individual horse but are there any traits.

What are they good for? I would want something for dressage and low level eventing (RC/intro/PN). But realistically more dressage orientated. Would it be a good way to go?

Just pondering at the mo!
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Saf is part Trak
Dam TB
Sire Trak/Han
I love her mix but I would say that, have considered looking for a Trak stallion so would also love to know more

Sorry to OP not much help
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They are generally very intelligent and talented, but also sensitive and quirky. I think it depends on the line. Some trakehners are definate professional rides. It obviously depends on the individual horse but having 4
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, they are all similar in their sensitivity and slightly neurotic, but sweet temperaments! I love the breed as they are very athletic but think a part bred would be better IMO.
 
I dont mind something that is quirky to ride particularly. (Although ideally it would not be quirky just a bit feisty!) Temperament on the ground is really important as I have to be able to do them on my own. I definitely dont need or want a professional ride! LOL!

Been there and have the scars to show for it!
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Mine are part breds by Grafenstolz out of an id/tb mare. Both have super laid back and friendly temperaments on the ground. Somewhat feisty and opinionated (as is their mother) but very athletic, bold and hopefully talented
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. Time will tell - they're only young yet.
 
A friend had them, and has put me off they were all neurotic and difficult, imo were for professionals as v temperamental. Very athletic, and beautiful though. I went to the Trakehner grading, and was impressed by the paces and presence.
 
I like them. I have had Haley since she was 4 and I was a novice owner. They have the sweetness and kindness of a warm blood, but the arab presence in the breeding really shows in their movement, and the TB in their athletic ability. Mine is a TB cross and has never spooked or refused. She is everything ASM2 says about hers. If I was to buy a competition horse again, I would go for this breeding again no doubt.

(sadly mine is for sale :-( )
 
My stallion is registered KWPN but is by Gribaldi, and his maternal GGsire is Balzflug, so a fair bit of Trakehner blood in his breeding! He is currently being backed and proving VERY trainable. He picks things up really quickly.
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A friend has a Trakehner by King Arthur - she says she is quite a sharp mare, but she is very nice.
 
I just found a couple of articles that are quite interesting.

http://www.worldofhorses.co.uk/Breeds/Trakenher_Breed.htm

Best of all, they have an ideal temperament - keen and alert, yet level-headed and able to take intense work. They have a willingness to work and due to their intelligence they learn extremely quickly. The Trakehner, is the warmblood closest to the British ideal of the modern competition and riding horse, whose upgrading influence of bloodlines is evident in most of the continental sports horse breeds today.

http://americantrakehner.com/The%20Breed/profile.htm

The breed is characterized by great substance and bone, yet displays surprising refinement, perhaps more so than any other European warmblood breed. It is a superb performance horse with natural elegance and balance. It excels in dressage because of its elegant way of moving-the light, springy,"floating trot," and soft, balanced canter, made possible by a deep, sloping shoulder and a correct, moderately long back and pasterns. With its characteristic, powerful hindquarters and strong joints and muscles, the breed also produces outstanding jumpers. However, perhaps the most outstanding attribute of the Trakehner is its temperament. It is keen, alert and intelligent, yet very stable and accepting and anxious to please.
 
There are a couple of people on the breeding forum who are great on Traks - Volatis and Ashbank spring to mind -
My Westphalian is largely trak blood, and her sire was a trak stallion. She's sharp, independent, incredibly intellegent and really responds well to lots of work and a subtle rider. She loves doing things and just tries her heart for you if you ask her nicely!
They are such a gorgeous breed, and addictive.

edited to say - Also contact Martlin - she's great on bloodlines and will advise you on how to avoid 'tricky traks' and end up with a super talented laid back one!
 
I have a pure bred and a part bred both rising 4 who i have owned from foals. They are like chalk and cheese in character and temperament.

My pure bred (below) is by Holme Grove Solomon and out of a PM graded mare, she is a highly intelligent mare, generally laid back (verging on horizontal at some points) and although can be sensitive at times, she always tries her best to please. She can be a little backward thinking at times and you could certainly never bully this mare into doing anything and needs tactful handling and riding. Having said that she was a bit of a donkey to back last summer and will be brought back into work over the next few weeks so only time will tell. Here she is:

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Evie (below) is an Arab x Trakehner and is polar opposite of Tilly. She is constantly on the go, extremely bold and confident and never ever runs out of energy. Again, she loves to please you and craves attention. She again is very bright, forward thinking, intelligent and has a fantastic diposition. She is unbacked at the moment but the plan is to do so this spring/summer. Here is a pic of her:

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Hope this helps, these two are my first trakehners after owning irish horses for many years. They are competely different to them in my opinion but i have found them to be very rewarding and im certainly looking forward to the future with them. I wouldn't recommend them for a novice owner but for someone who wants a beautiful animal with breath taking movement then this is the breed for you!

Good luck with your search!
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I love your bay too! She is the spitting image of a TB I had.
I like the grey too. My chestnut has a bit of Arab in her. I blame it for everything naughty thing she does!
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At the moment I cant consider another one as I am waiting for my old boys to pop their clogs They need a lot of looking after at their age (31 and 33). But it doesnt hurt to start finding out about the sane bloodlines!
 
I have known two... one was evil. Not to hard to ride (ie anyone reasonably competent could stay on board), but just evil tempered. Other one we had wasnt as bad, but quiet sharp, and riggy.
 
The best Trakehner resource is www.trakehners-international.com
Lots of info on bloodlines there.

I adore Trakehers, if like Thoroughbreds you will love them. I come from a racing background and I love their elegance and athleticism. As a general rule they are intelligent and if you get them on side will do anything for you.

They are becoming more and more popular in breeds such as Hanoverian and KWPN for adding a bit of quality into their own breeding programs.

And when you do come to look for one to buy, there are some very nice ones being bred over here so you will be bound to find what you are looking for
 
Thank you Volatis. I did have a look at your site too! You have some stunning foals. I have saved this thread so that when I am ready I can come back to you all!
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