The Hungarian Half bred Horse

The Hungarian Half bred horse has a very interesting history. The nation of Hungary began producing sport and leisure mounts during the 1960s, carrying on their tradition of breeding lovely horses. The breeders imported Hanoverians and Holsteins to cross with the Furioso and Gidran in an attempt to create a horse perfectly suited for the requirements of the time.

The Gidran, which can be accurately referred to as the Hungarian Anglo-Arab, has been traced back to an Arabian stallion called Gidran Senior. This stallion was imported to Hungary in 1816. The colt of Gidran Senior, Gidran II, was bred from a Spanish mare and became the foundation sire of the breed which bears his name.

In the beginning, a large variety of mares were used, but later Thoroughbred stock was introduced and, following this, more Arabian blood. This resulted in the creation of a quality horse with a strong, ground-eating gallop, developed at Hungary’s chief studs, Mezohegyes, Kisber and Kecskemet. Kisber was named after the Hungarian-bred horse who won the British Derby in 1876 and Kecskemet is famous for its cross-bred driving horses that are based on Lipizzaner and trotter blood.

The Hungarian Half bred horse has had outstanding results in the sport of international four-in-hand driving, where they have raced not only in the hands of the skilled Hungarian drivers, but also for other nations, including Switzerland and Britain. Hungarian Half bred horses come at about 15.3 to 16 hands and can have coats of any solid color.

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