Redefiner Horse Days inspire 4,500 visitors – the future of the stud farm is shaky!

Redefiner Horse Days inspire 4,500 visitors – the future of the stud farm is shaky!

Last weekend there was a lot of activity at the Redefin State Stud in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district as the Redefin Horse Days attracted guests from near and far. In total there were around 4,500 visitors, which corresponded to three quarters of the tickets available. This pleasing figure for the organizers and the sensitive location of the stud shows that interest in horse breeding and the associated events remains unbroken. Interim managing director Mattias Munz was enthusiastic about how the event went and the motivated team who gave everything to make the horse days a success. The time reports on a colorful range of offers, ranging from an informative mile with a farrier, veterinarian and saddler to visits to the historic stables.

The event will be rounded off with a spectacular stallion parade, scheduled to take place on September 13th. This will certainly be a highlight for all visitors, as it promises not only the splendor of the noble animals, but also impressive horse and carriage displays. The state stud's stables, which look back on a 200-year history, are still in operation and thus offer an attractive insight into traditional horse breeding.

Political controversies and future prospects

Despite the happy goings-on, there is a tense situation behind the scenes. While the horse days were taking place, protests against a possible sale of the state stud were loud. Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) stated in an interview NDR It was clear that a sale was out of the question. Instead, the country is planning a partnership to make the stud farm future-proof and to integrate new tasks. A former stud farm manager has launched a protest call as the horse industry expresses major concerns about the future of the stud farm.

The operation of the state stud draws around 1.7 to 1.8 million euros in subsidies annually, which raises questions about financial sustainability. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Agriculture is aiming for an “alternative operator model”, which may involve leasing and privatization, while the listed facility should remain the property of the state.

A look beyond the borders

In the context of the discussion about horse breeding and stud farms, it is also worth taking a look at the neighboring Czech Republic. The Kladruby nad Labem stud farm is located there, one of the oldest in the world, founded in 1579. It is a famous breeding location for the Altkladruber horses and offers a variety of events and sightseeing opportunities that are also of great interest to tourists. These include, among other things, international driving tournaments that underline the heritage and importance of stud farms in the region. Visit Czechia provides information about inviting offers and an impressive history that is closely linked to horse breeding.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the Redefin Horse Days represent both a celebration of tradition and a focal point of current challenges. It remains to be seen how the Redefin State Stud will develop in the future and what role new partnerships will play in this.