We are a
family oriented stud farm, which in the fall of 2009 relocated
from Germany – actually to be precise from the outskirt of
the Ruhr region –
into the beautiful Carinthia.
Here, we run
an estate of about 16 ha (39.5 acres) at 1,200 m sea level
(3937 ft) and surrounded with wonderful views overlooking the
Karawanken.
Although its
solo location is the cause for its idyllic serenity, we are
just 15 min. from the ducal city of St. Veit with all its shopping
possibilities and only 30 min. from the Klagenfurter airport.
We are also
directly connected onto the riding network of the
“Reiteldorado Kärntens’” (www.reit-eldorado.at)
which oversees over 1,500 km (932 miles) first-range riding paths
within
Kärnten (Carinthia) – a dream come true for trail
riders.
Our family consists at the core out of us, Jessica and Hilmar Pfeiffer, our daughter Lea (11), our son Kilian (9), and our son Corvin (2).
Additionally,
besides the horses, there are our Doberman female dog
Orana, the female Doberman Laica, the male Doberman Ayk, the Jack
Russell Luke,
the 4 tomcats Garfield, Odin, Lenny and Krabat, as well as our two pig
Rotzi.
Our first
foal was born into this world in 2000. Since then our breeding
has continually grown and in the meantime we are overlooking the
continuance of
3 Berber stud stallions, one Araber-Berber offspring, as well as 6
selected
breeding mares. Each year 3-5 highly qualitative foals from hand-picked
matings
perceive the light of the world. Most of them can be bought as Absetzer
(6-11
months), as yearlings, or older from us. With that we are surely the
largest
Berber stud farm in the entire Austrian region.
Our
stallions are available during the breeding season (April until
September) for visiting mares – preferable mares from the
races of Berber,
Araber-Berber, or Araber, although we also receive gladly for our
stallions
mares from other races.
Visitors
are welcomed anytime (please call ahead) and we would be
pleased to meet you once.
Starting the
middle of the year (autumn) we will also have the
opportunity to offer racial interested, purchase interested and
“normal”
vacationists vacational apartments located on the estate. Carinthia is
always
worth a vacation!
Due
to our secluded mountainous site while very central location in the
Greater Klagenfurter area, we offer for all family members leisure time
activities – not just for “horse crazy”
ones.
Foal rearing
– natural and sheltered
Our foals are being born in the stable or in the “horse-run” directly connected to the house. Due to this circumstance they are integrated from the beginning into the “family life” and get to know instantly dogs, children, and other excitement, which is quite common for a farm. Already from the first days we exercise with them “placing the halter” and “to give hooves”. Thanks to this method, very tight and beautiful human relationships develop. The foals are allowed (depends on the season) to run about with their mothers either in the horse-run or in the pastures. We have directly on the house for the herd of mares almost 10 ha (24.7 acres) of horse-runs and meadows, through which we are always ready to “keep an eye” on the young ones. The size of the horse-run during wintertime alone is more than 2 ha (4.9 acres). Growing up on untouched mountainous pastures and the natural steep angle of the land is optimal to develop muscles, bones, joints, and tendons. Our junior horses are well muscular, with stamina and absolutely surefooted. Feeding during wintertime is being done due to hay from mountainous meadows or by feeding grass until full; during summertime the horses feed themselves with the help of natural lean meadows – ideal to fit their needs. Of course, our foals receive regularly their worm shots and we check the growth to their hooves together with our “hoof personal”; if needed they are being rasped or cut out. As most of our mares are also being ridden, the foals pretty early come into “the field”. We let the foal run freely next to the mother and as a result the young ones learn from the beginning that in the forest or even on the street there is nothing bad and that it is entirely normal when someone sits upon Mama’s back. It causes the foal great joy to make a trip into the big, wide world. Weaning can begin after approximately 6 months – depends on the development of the foal. However, we also see gladly if the future owner let their little treasure with us until next springtime; that way he can purely naturally wean off his Mama.
Herds of mares
Stallions
Bommel has been classical academically educated, which we also continued. Correctly collected under the saddle he is so much more as without it. This is how you imagine a baroque horse.
He is being ridden by us entirely normal in the field and in the track while also being uncomplicated together with mares or other male animals.
Foals from
Bommel with various mares during the
recent years show, that his offspring inherit from him his
solid body structure, strong, long mane and tail, extremely well built
hooves,
his solid basis and unusual beautiful base of his neck, his stunning
charisma
and imperturbable peace, the natural abilities to collect while also to
pass on
his rare black color. He is ideal for mares with inferior horn (hooves)
and
less sturdy “Röhrbeinen” (cannon bone) as
he is an absolute carrier of his own
weight.
Especially
good results he achieved with VA mares. His son from the year
2006 with a VA mare was being judged 3rd best
horse of the
championship (directly behind an exceptional stallion and an award
winning
breeding mare) during the Berber meeting at the VFZB 2006.
During the
Berber meeting of 2003 Forband became the champion for
Berber- and Araber-Berber-stallions.
During the
Equitana 2007 he represented for nine days with courage the
VFZB while being in the show program.
Anyone
who wants to raise a beautiful, strong and “well
rounded” foal
from his mare is surely well taken care of by choosing Forband.
Since
2008 there are also the two Berber stallions Chakir
Al Ayur and Panchir
Al Mansour, and since 2010 Talal Al
Mansour is also ready to
breed.
Philosophy
For
us horses are partners during our recreational time and belong to
the family. Therefore, each year we never raise more than 4 or 5 foals.
Otherwise we could not take the time for the young ones (and of course
also for
the parents) which surely the animals do deserve. We are the opinion,
that for
a healthy growing up not only is a natural association within the herd
necessary but also the intensive contact to humans (especially during
the first
weeks). Particular for the Berber, who seeks such a tight human
relationship
this way to grow up, is ideal; our foals which behave more as dogs than
as
horses, agree with us.
We sell with
preference our offspring as “Absetzer” (6months
old) or as
yearlings and can just recommend any, who seeks a Berber and who is
confident
enough to oversee the raising of an Absetzer, to buy such one.
It is the
building block of a life-long intimate relationship between
Berber and Humans. We keep an eye on the origin of our foals and only
release
them into species appropriate care taking; by us no horse is allowed to
stand
24 hours a day in the stable. Naturally, interested requests from our
old
homeland Germany and the remaining European countries are welcomed. We
can start
the procedures of the transport of your new horse abroad via a trucking
company
(haulage firm) for you.
If we are unable to help you further with our horses, we are gladly ready to arrange, for any one who is interested, to meet with breeders to whom we have established friendly connections. In most cases we know of the one or another, if and what he has in stock regarding horses. We are pleased with anyone who decides in favour of Berber or Araber-Berber, in order to preserve this ancient and wonderful race and prevent it to be extinct.
