The Noriker is a breed of draught horse with a reputation for toughness and stamina. A draft horse or draught horse is a large, strong horse breed for heavy work rather than speed. ...

History

Bred and developed over several thousand years in the mountain regions of Austria, the Noriker is an attractive looking light draught horse. Strong and hardy, this horse is noted particularly for its calm temperament, sound limbs and sure-footedness. These characteristics make it an ideal all-round work horse over difficult mountainous terrain. A draft horse or draught horse is a large, strong horse breed for heavy work rather than speed. ...

As with most horses, despite its ancient origins there was no formal breeding program until fairly recent times. The Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg is credited with forming a stud book some 400 years ago. It was then that standards were drawn up, for both mares and stallions, and stud farms established. Flag of Salzburg Salzburg (population 145,000 in 2005) is a city in western Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg (population 520,000 in 2003). ... A breed registry, also known as a stud book, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. ...

Because of its toughness and capacity for hard work the Noriker became popular throughout Europe. Different strains evolved, including the Bavarian, now known as the South German Coldblood and found in Upper and Lower Bavaria. Various color lines, tracing back to Andalusian and Neapolitan horses, also had an influence on today’s breed and were responsible for the dappled and brindle coloring. Andalusian horse The Andalusian horse is one of the purest breeds of horses in the world today. ...

The breed takes its name from the ancient state of Noricum (during the Roman Empire Noricum was roughly approximate to present-day Austria). However, the Noriker can be traced back to pre-Roman times, when a hevy war horse was developed in Thessalonica. Horses in this type were taken to Noricum by the Romans. In due course they were crossed with other coldblooded horses of the region and became admirably adapted to the harsh conditions of their new environment. Noricum in ancient geography was a celtic kingdom in Austria and later a province of the Roman Empire. ... The White Tower The Arch of Galerius Map showing the Thessaloníki prefecture Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) is the second-largest city of Greece and is the principal city and the capital of the Greek region of Macedonia. ...

Breed description

Height: Stallions: 16 – 17hh Mares: 15.3 – 17hh Color: Brown, chestnut, black, grey, and brindle. White body markings are not acceptable. Too many or too large white markings on the head or limbs are not desirable. Conformation: Straight profile, wide nostrils, medium-sized eyes; medium-length neck with thick, curly mane; good sloping shoulders; broad, deep chest; medium-length, well muscled back; long limbs with powerful forearms, large clean joints, well-muscled second thigh and good, sound feet