The Knabstruper originated from Denmark at the Knabstruper estate. The Knabstruper dates back to the Napoleon war at the time that Denmark had Spanish soldiers stationed there. The Knabstruper bred has descended from a spotted mare with Spanish ancestry, which was sold to a butcher from a Spanish office. The spotted mare was then sold to Judge Linn at the Knabstuper estate. In 1808 the spotted mare was bred to the Frederiksborg horses and her grandson is considered the base sire. The Knabstruper stands on average 15.2 hh. These horses were used a lot in the circus for vaulting acts because their backs are ideal for this. The old type of Knabstruper was physically powerful and sturdier built, however, today the modern Knabstruper looks much like the Appaloosa.