Slovenia's dancing horses

Home to the world-renowned Lipizzaner horse, the village of Lipica is located in the small nation of Slovenia. The oft-called 'dancing horses', thanks to their sheer elegance when executing dressage, were cultivated as a breed in the sixteenth century under the Hapsburgs.

As countries such as Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Slovakia all formed part of the Empire, they adopted the Lipizzan tradition, and so assembled at Lipica to mark the stud farm's 443rd year. They also wished to honour a new distinction bestowed by UNESCO, as the Lipizzan tradition recently joined the ranks of the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.'

Miro Dragic is the proud head of Lipica's prestigious equestrian team.

Miro Dragic: "The Lipizzaner horses are known for their ability for 'Airs above the ground' dressage, something we rarely see in other horse breeds. For the 'Airs above the ground' dressage, a horse has to have a very good balance and strength. Along with that, it has to be well trained if we want him to carry out demanding movements such as the levade, capriole or courbette."

While the Lipizzaners are commonly thought of as being snow-white, the foals are born totally black, and their coat transforms completely around the age of 4. This is the stage at which intensive schooling commences, and when the most promising stallions are plucked out to become part of the classical dressage elite.

Knowing each animal inside out contributes to the process, according to Dragic.

Miro Dragic: "Lipizzans can have a strong temperament, they are usually calm, sometimes shy but kind. It is up to us to recognise the quality of each horse to be able to train it based on its talents."

The balletic movements of these beasts, each with a possible price tag of several hundred thousand euros, are mesmerising to witness for visitors like Laura Highlander.

Laura Highlander: "And I've always heard about the Lipizzaner horses since I was super excited to be able to come today and see them, in their training, and visit the rest of the facility as well."

Laura Highlander: "They are phenomenal animals, and and the way that they've been trained and the skill level of the riders is incredible!"

Since the horses derive the name of their breed from Lipica village, it's only fitting that these majestic animals should be honoured right here. View Less