The history of horse-breeding in today's regional state of Hessia is considerably older than the state stud of Dillenburg, which was constituted by the amalgamation of the Kassel, Korbach and Weilburg state studs in 1870.
Under Wilhelm 1 the "wild horses of the Zapfenburg stud" developed to the "Sababurger" which were considered to be particularly tough and based on good conformation in the period between 1589 and 1591. The Wembach and Ulrichstein studs did not last very long. Under Wilhelm the Rich however, the "Dillenburg Ramsnoses" which derived from Spanish and Neapolitan stallions were sought after as parade riding horses but also as carriage horses for state coaches, due to their expansive gaits. The royal stud of Beberbeck was established in 1724 through the combination of the landed estate of Beberbeck with the Sababurg stud and only a few years later, in 1737, the Kassel state stud emerged from it.
In 1869, Dillenburg became the state stud of Prussia-Hessia-Nassau and one year later, the first state stallions occupied their loose boxes there.
Horse breeding was considerably influenced by Moritz von Nassau, who during the mid 16th century bred horses to support his brother William of Orange (Wilhelm von Oranien) at the Liebenscheid stud, situated in the vicinity of Dillenburg.

Analogous to the horse breeding carried out by the nobility, people in the entire German-speaking region preferred Andalusians, Neapolitans and stallions from Frederiksborg.
During the early 19th century likewise, a state stud was likewise established at the Darmstadt royal stables, initially equipped with Mecklenburgers and Anglo-Normans, thereafter with draught horses and later with Oldenburgers.
As a result of the dissolution of the Darmstadt state stud in 1957, the keeping of state stallions was concentrated in Dillenburg, where more than 70 stallions of Oldenburg bloodline were stationed in 1960, prior to the big crisis, that similar to all the other breeding areas, was actuated by the displacement of the work horse in agriculture. The breeding direction that was henceforth strongly forced by the state stud towards the breeding of sports horses, led to the complete exchange of the stock of stallions within only a few years. From that point onwards, thoroughbreds (Ursurpator xx and Adonis xx), Trakehners (Thor, Kosmos, Mandant) and Westphalians (Ratsherr) dominated the scenario.
Hanoverians however had the greatest influence, including the foundation sires and full-brothers Lotse and Lützow by Lugano 1, as well as the Senator son Senior.

Rescator by Ramiro effectively transmitted himself via his sons, grandsons and great-grandsons, who were ranked in the forefront respectively at approvals. The Anglo-Norman Furioso II however also made his mark, producing a number of first class showjumpers including Fürstengold and Frisbee by Freiherr.
The Hanoverian Amalfi by Absatz and Ampere by Adlerflügel dominantly transmitted rideability and motions, whereas Tremezzo xx and Praefectus xx as well as the Anglo-Arabian Katanga made a name for themselves as sought after upgraders. Apart from sires of Hessian breeding, the current stock of stallions is characterised by stallions from the North German breeding regions, including i.a. Trend by Traumdeuter/Tr., his son Tenno, one of the most successful driving horses of one-horse carriage sport
The most popular sires at present include Dartagnan by Duntroon, vice-champion stallion performance test winner, Wolkenstein I by Weltmeyer, Fulminant by Florestan I, Logarithmus by Linaro and Accept by Accord II.

The Hessian State Riding and Driving School is affiliated with the state stud. Its stock of horses is recruited inter alia, from the well trained state stallions.
The state stud moreover disposes over a considerable collection of historic coaches and is furthermore, the scene of significant annual one-horse carriage tournaments and numerous breeding events.

Hessisches Dienstleistungszentrum für Landwirtschaft, Gartenbau und Naturschutz Standort Hessisches Landgestüt Leitung: Landwirtschaftsdirektor Bert Petersen Wilhelmstr. 24 D-35683 Dillenburg tel.: 0049-(0)2771-89830 fax.: 0049-(0)2771-898320 e-mail. hlg.dillenburg@t-online.de

Landwirtschaftsdirektor Bert Petersen