Leonhard - horses for sale

Origin and history of breeding Leonhard horses

Johann Abfalter’s St Leonardshof Farm in Grabenstätt/Chiemgau in Bavaria was already a well-established producer of nutritional cheeses when Abfalter conceived the idea of producing cheese made from mare’s milk. This was an unusual approach, as it is rare to encounter the commercial use of mare’s milk in modern Europe, although it is still part of the culture of many societies in central Asia. The use of mare’s milk has very ancient origins since it began in what is now Kazakhstan 5,000 years ago. The three breeds chosen to contribute to the programme, the Welsh Cob, the PRE and the Haflinger were selected because of the diverse qualities they would bring. In order to produce the milk, the mares would need to be in-foal and the philosophy of the farm was not compatible with selling on the foals for meat. The aim was always to provide as natural a life as possible while producing wholesome, nutritious products. Right from the start, the intention was to produce a breed with the right qualities for children and families while creating nutritional cheese from the organically certified milk of the mares in the herd. The breeding programme began in 2008 and by 2011 the Leonhard had gained official approval, with the foals rated by the Bavarian Breeding Association for Small Horses and Special Horse Breeds. In their first few weeks, the foals receive all the milk they need from their mothers and only after this is any surplus used for making cheese. Breeding the Leonhard is still developing, with Welsh Cobs and Haflingers contributing to the first generation and the PRE pairing with the resulting offspring.

Leonhards in equestrianism

Abfalter’s breeding programme prioritises two qualities: a good temperament and versatility. The Leonhard’s free-moving, ground-covering action and elasticity of movement makes the breed suitable for many equestrian activities. In the decade or so since the establishment of the breed, the Leonhard has been awarded several gold medals.