Norikers
The Noriker is an attractive looking light draught horse with ancient origins. It owes its development to Roman pragmatism and has been bred and developed over several thousand years in the mountain regions of Austria. The name Noriker is derived from the state of Norikerum, a vassal province of the Roman empire corresponding roughly to present-day Austria. The Noriker owes its development to Roman pragmatism. Because of its toughness and capacity for hard work it became popular throughout Europe. Different strains with various colour lines evolved.
Despite its ancient origins, there was no formal breeding program until fairly recent times. Some 400 years ago the Salzburg Stud Book was established, standards were drawn up and stud farms were established. Today, “Noriker” includes Pinzgauer (a spotted strain). There are distinct colour lines, including dappled and brindle coat patterns, black-headed dapple-grey, brown and shades of chestnut. They are renowned for their hardiness, hereditary soundness, and biddable temperament. The breed standards are strictly enforced, and include inspection and performance testing for stallions and mares.
The height of stallions is between 16 and 17 hands, and for mares it is between 15,3 and 17 hands. Not as heavy as the Percheron or Belgian, the Noriker is best suited for work in the Alpine forest. They are increasingly becoming sport horses and are being used both as driving and riding horses and even in meat production. In tourist regions they have also gained popularity as carriage and sled horses.
Geyerspan
In the past three years Piet Botha, owner of Geyerspan in the North West Province of South Africa, has imported twelve horses of the Noriker breed for the first time to this country. Six chestnut Norikers with golden mane were brought to Geyerspan three years ago, while three dapple-grey and three spotted horses of this unique breed arrived in September 2008.
He needs them to pull a beer wagon, built by himself and by his son-in-law, De Wet Steyl. The horses and wagon will be seen at the Hoofbeat festival which will be held at Geyerspan on May, 28. Piet foresee a great future for this breed in our country, especially in the tourism industry and as a working horse. In November last year the first ever foal of this breed on local soil was born at Geyerspan. It is a chestnut colt which was bought almost immediately after birth by dr. Paul Parsons from Witbank.
Some of our Norikers
First Noriker owner
Piet is the first owner of Norikers in the country. There are distinct colour lines.
