Noriker horse?

Question

Does anyone have any experience working with the Noriker horse? I did the Wiki and Google search thing...got lots of info, so no links are needed. I am looking for someone who is familiar with them. I have never seen one (or even heard of anyone who has seen one) in the US, and www.dreamhorse.com doesn't list them a breed (strange!) I'm intrigued because they're a draft breed but have Andalusian/"Neopolitan" roots. Are these guys quite rare? If you've worked with any, how were they?

Additional Details

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriker_hor…

For further information! Apparently they occasionally have leopard spots, too, though most of the pics I've found are some sort of bay. I wish Europe would share some more of their cool draft breeds with us! :)

EDIT: Hooray, I am ticked pink that someone here has some! I am assuming you are in the UK - are there breeders there? I couldn't locate a single one online.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Your in luck :) I own a pair of norikers. They are both 16.3hh ones 6yr and the other 5yr and are steel grey in colour. I bought them, because i love draft breeds and wanted taller drafts for compitition driving and i tell you what they really are something special. They have such lovely temprement and wonderful gaits and are really strong and willing to work. Norikers can also be known as noric horses as they were derived from the austrian roman state of noricum. Your correct that their blood has neopolitian, but i'm not sure about the andalusian, but the breed has been influenced by the haflinger, spanish, burgundian and pinzgauer. Some norikers are spotted and this derives from the pinzgauer breed. The noriker may not be listed on dreamhorse as it is a european horse and is mainly bred in Austria and Southern Germany, they have been bred in the mountains to develop strong feet, lungs and a strong muscular frame.

So but to anwer your question, they are rare in america, they weren't bred for hot climates, so aren't often found their (disapointing really), but are widely known in eastern europe and some areas of the uk. They are lovely horses, mine have very neat small heads with long flowing manes and feathers. They are of really good nature and are great when ridden and they do like to dabble in jumping, they go everywhere together and are really sociable with other horses, so work well as a team or pair in harness. They live out all year and don't even bat an eyelid if i ask them to work in rain or snow they are really unflappable : ) if you need to know anymore feel free to email me!

Edit//they should be bred more widely, they are such a wonderful and beautiful breed, but small amounts of nice things make them that bit more wonderful!

Edit// yeh i'm from the Uk sadly i don't know of any breeders in the uk, i didn't really look to be honest, but i got them from this site and had them impoted on a trial. My two norikers are like the top two steel greys a bit darker though heres the link:
http://www.horsesrus.info/html/coldblood…

at the bottom they are selling a pair of spotted norikers! Are you looking to buy into this breed?

Source(s):

owner or norikers

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Woo hoo, an owner! Thanks so much for your lovely answer and your help!

And if they were more widely available in the US, I would be VERY interested in buying. Shipping a horse from overseas, however, is not currently in my budget. :P Darn!

Answer 2

norikers are extinct ifink

Answer 3

Wow! I've been around horses all my life and have never heard of the Noriker. And obviously, if they aren't listed as breed in the U.S., I would say they are rare. Did you find any pictures? Andulasian & Draft means we might have a dancing giant. Go figure, never seen a giant dance without falling down or stepping on someone.