Marbach State Stud
Germany
Today’s Marbach State Stud is the oldest state stud in Germany and one of the oldest in Europe. It is located on the Swabian Alb in the district of Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg. It was first mentioned in a document in 1514 and has been documented as reliable since 1573. Since 1996, Marbach State Stud has been a state-owned enterprise of the state of Baden-Württemberg, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Rural Areas, Food and Consumer Protection. It currently employs around 84 people.
Around 500 horses live in Marbach, half of which belong to the stud, the other half are animals that are given to Marbach by private owners for rearing or training.
The tasks of the Main and State Stud Marbach are diverse:
First and foremost are breeding, rearing, training and selling horses. The round about 50 stallions breed the stud’s own mares and are also available to private mare owners. In total, there are around 1,000 breedings per year. German sport horses, thoroughbred Arabians and the two endangered regional breeds Black Forest Coldblood and Old Württembergers (conservation breeding program) are bred. The horses born in Marbach are trained, presented at tournaments and championships and marketed. Numerous successful sport horses can be traced back to Marbach sires.
In its role as an agricultural business, the Marbach State Stud cultivates around 850 hectares of land for fodder supply.
Marbach State Stud
Gestütshof 1
72532 Gomadingen-Marbach
Deutschland
As a training and further education center, the stud takes an important role in in the region and far beyond: With around 40 apprenticeships filled each year, it is the largest training facility for horse managers in Baden-Württemberg. The stud is also home to the state riding and driving school with around 40 school horses. The stud farm carries out research projects in cooperation with various universities and colleges, and together with the Ministry, the Baden-Württemberg Horse Breeding Association and the Equine Health Service of the Baden-Württemberg Animal Disease Insurance Fund, it forms the Baden-Württemberg Equine Competence Center.
Last but not least, the Marbach State Stud sees itself as a place where everyone can experience the cultural asset of the horse live and up close: The stud is a popular excursion destination for horse lovers, nature and culture enthusiasts. The facilities are open daily and freely accessible and there are regular guided tours of the stud. The stud is also the venue for numerous events, including the stallion presentation and stud auction in spring, the children’s day at the stud and the big annual stallion parades.
Further information can be found at www.gestuet-marbach.de