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The Kisber Felver is a Hungarian half-blood saddle horse breed. This breed was originally intended for military use and is now used in equestrian sports. The Kisber Felver is not widely known, but has merit in sport horse disciplines. Only a handful of people continue breeding Kisber Felver horses today. These horses are rare; in 2018 the breed is considered to be in danger of extinction.
Like many other horse breeds, the Kisber Felver was endangered during the World War I and World War II. In 1945, more than half-breeding stock was taken as war damages. Many were adopted by other breeds to use as improvement stock. The imported Kisber Felvers were widely crossbred, reducing the count of purebred animals. Faced with extinction, there are less than 2000 Kisber Felvers in the world. This breed is struggling for recognition, but has individuals worthy of notice.
The Kisber Felver is a relatively young breed, developed as early as 1853 at the Kisber stud farm, mainly from crosses between Thoroughbreds and local Hungarian horses, with the aim of obtaining mounts that are stronger and less nervous than Thoroughbreds, for military use. His stud-book was created in 1860.
World War I and the Second World War almost wiped the breed out. In 1945, 150 Kisber Felvers were imported into the United States as war booty. These horses were sold at public auction in 1947. In 1961 the remaining horses were moved from Kisber to Dalmand, where they are still being bred. From the 1950’s onwards, Trakehners were imported from Germany and influenced the breed, representing 20 to 25% of the origins of today’s Kisber Felver. These horses are also crossed with the Furioso, Anglo-Arab, Arabian and Selle Français.
In 1983, the breed had at least a thousand representatives, including 80 purebred females.
Kisber Felver – Kisber half-bred — Kisber Halbblut — Hungarian Half-bred – Ungarisches Halbblut
Hungary
national, rarely international
Critical
FAO
Rare and endangered
Kept in herds outdoors all year
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