Our story
Presentation
At JJ-LIPIZZANS horses are not just our profession—they are our family's way of life.
Our farm is located in a beautifull village Prešnica, Slovenia at the bottom of Slavnik, where Karst and hilly landscape meets Brkini. This unique landscape, with its limestone karst terrain, vast pastures, forests, and natural springs, has provided ideal conditions for horse breeding for centuries. We believe that such an environment shapes horses with exceptional endurance, sound health, intelligence, and a well-balanced temperament.
As family farm we specialize in breeding of Lipizzaner and carefully planned breeding Rheinländer dressage horses. Although they are two distinct breeds, they share the qualities we value most in our breeding program—correct conformation, athleticism, an excellent temperament, and a genuine willingness to work in partnership with people.
Our horses are raised in natural herds and spend most of the year on extensive karst pastures, where they enjoy unrestricted movement and daily social interaction. This method of raising horses promotes the development of a strong skeletal structure, healthy joints, sturdy hooves, a stable temperament, and the confidence that stays with them throughout their lives.
Today, JJ-LIPIZZANS is built on the dedication of our entire family. Together with my husband, Marko we lead our breeding program. Our daughter Natalija and niece Julija, who, through their love for horses and their daily dedication, represent the next generation of our family's story and tradition.
My equestrian journey began at the age of twelve at Hipodromu Stožice, where, under the guidance of Mojca Koren where I took my first serious steps into the world of horses. Later, I continued my education at Kmetijski šoli Grm Novo mesto, where I earned the qualification of Equine Breeding and Equestrian Advisory Specialist. This knowledge became the foundation for establishing our farm and launching our professional horse breeding program.
Marko dedicated his professional career to Lipica Stud Farm, where he works as a carriage driver. Through decades of daily work with Lipizzan horses and competing in national and international carriage driving competitions, he has gained invaluable practical experience that plays a significant role in shaping our breeding philosophy.
We are proud members of Slovenian Lipizzaner Breeding Association (ZRLS) and Hannoveraner Zuchtverband, Nemčija and actively participate in the official Slovenian breeding program for the Lipizzan breed. We also work closely with Lipica Stud Farm and ZRLS This partnership enables us to contribute to the preservation and continuous improvement of the Lipizzan breed while maintaining broad genetic diversity. Our farm is also registered as a breeding station, which is why each year we take part in the selection of elite breeding stallions used to plan future generations.
We build our breeding philosophy on combining centuries-old tradition with modern expertise. Every mating is carefully planned, with a strong emphasis on health, temperament, correct conformation, quality of movement, and the horse's long-term suitability. Whether we are breeding the traditional Lipizzan or the modern Rhineland Sport Horse, our goal remains the same—to breed a horse that will be a reliable partner to its owner throughout its life.
Horses bred at JJ-LIPIZZANS, can be found in Europe and many other countries around the World. We provide our clients with comprehensive support throughout the entire process, including veterinary examinations, export documentation, the organization of international transport, and all the necessary procedures to ensure their new horse arrives safely at its new home.
We warmly invite you to visit us in Prešnica, meet our horses in their natural environment, and experience the peace, beauty, and authenticity of the Karst landscape that has shaped both our family and our horses for centuries.
Freedom of the herd
Most of the center's pastures are located on karst-altitude areas, which represent the original habitat of the Lipizzaner. Horses grow up on more than 100 hectares of pastureland. In winter, the herd is in Prešnica along the paths to Črnotiče, which in recent years has become an attractive destination for locals and tourists. In the summertime, part of the herd can be seen on the pastures of Slavnik, more precisely on Planina Jegno.
New life and first years
When the foals are a month and a half old, they start living in an organized herd 24/7 on vast pastures, in a herd that they already know. From that time on, they trust us 100%, and in the following months, their mothers teach them about the dangers of nature, how to move through vast pastures, how to find food and water, and the importance of the herd, which becomes their family. Mares and stallions of the same year thus spend the following years growing up with their companions.
Foals are born in the springtime. All are born in birthing boxes equipped with a video surveillance system. There they take their first steps and experience their first human contact. In the following days, we will start socializing the foals. They all get used to being led on the pommel and lifting their legs. For breeding, we only use calm mares that we can completely trust because a calm, smart and well-trained mare is the best investment in the future. At the age of two or three weeks, the mare and foal are housed in stalls at the end of the village, where the mare and foal spend the days in the common herd, and the nights in the stalls. This way of working allows us to further socialize and contact the foals, and during the period of maximum lactation, care for the mares according to their needs.
When selling, we advise the new owners and organize the transport of the horses to their new homes. The horses are accompanied by veterinarian and any other documents, which we take care of. You can find our horses all over the World.
We are looking forward to your visit!
Jana
