Horses

Switzerland has a long history of horse breeding going back over 1000 years to the Benedictine monastery of Einsiedeln.? From those early roots were born the start of the Swiss horse breeding programmes of today where the emphasis is on the Federal Stud at Avenches and the breeding of the Einsiedler, or Swiss Warmblood.

First developed in the 10th century, on Schwer stock, the first Einsiedler stud book opend in 1655.? After some unwise breeding with Spanish, Italian, Friesian and even Turkish Stallions, and new more comprehensive book was created in 1784 by Father Isodor Moser.

In the eighteen hundreds Anglo-Norman mares were brought into the breeding programming along with a Yorkshire Coach Horse stallion, Bracken. Later the focus shifted to a the introduction of Holsteiner/Norman crosses. Finally in the late 1960's, Swedish and Irish mares were imported to Avenches, where the breed was now being produced.

The stallions breed used to create the breed were just as varied, and included Anglo-Norman, Holsteiner, and Swedish horses, as well as some native stock. Stallions are selected for performance testing at the age of three and a half and then again at five. The tests include jumping, dressage, cross-country, and driving. Conformation is important but only horses whose have proven performance ability are tested. Mares are tested at three years old, and may only be registered if their parents are registered half-breds.

Avenches Stud continues to be discriminate in its choice of stallions, and as well as the modern Einsiedler it stands Thoroughbreds, Hanoverians, Swedish horses, and Selle Fancais, occasionally using Trakehners as well. As a result of the breeding programme, the number of import used in the breeding stock is decreasing.