David Holthaus

David Holthaus, Percheron horses, Richmond, MN, in southern Minnesota near Minneapolis. He has worked with Percheron breeding for several years and follows industry-standard health protocols including routine veterinary care and farrier visits. His program includes detailed record keeping, nutritional planning, and collaboration with local equine veterinarians and farriers to support each animal’s long-term well-being. Animals are raised on a spacious pasture with daily turnout and introduced to daily handling to build a calm temperament.

Holthaus’s approach focuses on preserving the breed’s characteristic strength and gentle nature for farm work and driving. Foals remain with their dams for natural weaning before additional training in ground manners, hitch work, and light harness and cart exercises. Each youngster benefits from gradual exposure to noise and traffic on gravel farm roads before weaning. The setting reflects a family-rooted tradition where horses develop in a low-stress environment conducive to balanced performance.