State stud Zweibrücken

With approximately 15 breeding stallions, the State Stud Zweibrücken is currently the smallest of the 10 German state studs. Nevertheless, it has more than 250 years’ history and is therefore one of the oldest. In the heyday of Zweibrücken stud, there were around 230 breeding stallions in various covering stations.

The State Stud Zweibrücken was founded by Herzog Christian IV in 1755. At first, Christian IV populated his royal stables with his own stallions of Arabian and Turkish origin. This was the start of organised horse breeding in the Duchy of Pfalz-Zweibrücken. Christian IV issued strict rules: all mares had to be examined by him before they could be used for breeding. Mares deemed suitable for breeding had to be covered by the Zweibrücken state sires annually.

The significance Zweibrücken horse breeding had in those days is demonstrated by the purchase of 150 stallions by King Frederick II of Prussia, or “Old Fritz”, who used the horses to expand his famous stud in Trakehnen. There then followed some dramatic and some spectacular occurrences: forced evacuation by the troops of the French Revolution, reconstruction of the stud by Napoleon who designated the State Stud Zweibrücken a first-class stud, destruction and reconstruction during the two world wars and much more. The State Stud Zweibrücken survived all these major tests of endurance. While many years ago its horses were indispensable for agricultural and military service, nowadays they are the staples of sports riding and driving.

Today, just as in the times of Christian IV, the State Stud Zweibrücken is the place to go for breeders in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. It has an EU insemination station where, in addition to the insemination of state and privately-owned mares, all other breeding-related examinations are conducted.

Furthermore, the State Stud Zweibrücken offers a wide variety of events for all horse lovers in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. The Big Horse Gala is definitely one of the highlights, attracting several thousand spectators to the state stud every year. The state stud offers regular guided tours, but if you want to explore the facility by yourself, you are more than welcome. The stud gates are always open for visitors.