We checked out of our hotel and drove directly to Lipica, Slovenia, about 45 minutes from Postojna. Lipica is where the Lipizzaner horses orginated from, with the Archduke of Inner Austria, Charles II, establishing the stud farm in 1580. The first horses were brought in from Spain, because this part of the continent's climate is similar to that of Spain. The Lipizzaner breed was developed around the 18th century. Throughout the years the farm has had to adjust to the different wars. In 1947, the farm transfered ownership to the Republic of Yugoslavia, but at that point, only 11 horses remained, as the Germans had confiscated the majority of the horses. Lipica originally provided horses to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, although I think that school now has their own breeding farms. The Yugoslav war in 1991 significantly reduced the herd, but since 1996, as part of Slovenia, the farm has returned to normalcy and houses a large number of horses.
We took a guided tour of the grounds and wandered through the different stables. We learned how the horses are branded with a large "L" on their cheek, indicating they come from Lipica and their number is branded on their side. We learned how the horses are named (sort of like Spaniards, taking the names of both their father and mother). Katie and Ashley took a pony ride around the grounds, all geared up. We learned that this breed is born brown and as they mature, they turn white. We also watched the training of these brilliant horses for as long as Heather could manage her allergies (which was not very long).
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