Dole Horse

The Dole Horse has its origin in Norway. There are two sub-types of Dole Horse. The first one is a light draft horse called the Dole Trotter and the other is the Gudbransdal, which is a heavy workhorse. The average Dole-Gudbrandsdal horse (average meaning middleweight) is similar to the Dales pony of England and there are also strong reminders of the Friesian. All derive from the same North Sea stock and very probably were interchanged from country to country before the history of horse breeds was considered worthy of record. If this description has given you the urge to know more about this horse, you will find the following account helpful.

History of Dole Horse

It is thought that the horse breeds Dole horse originated in the Gudbrandsdal Valley. This is an area that is linked to the region of Oslo with the North Sea coast. It appears that the Dole horse is partly a descendant of the Friesian because both breeds are alike in conformation. The dole horse breed resembles Fell Pony and the English Dales Pony and both of these breeds may share similar origins. Recently, there are infusions of blood from various trotting and heavy draft breeds and thoroughbred blood in this horse breed.

Odin and Mazarin’s stallions have greatly influenced the development of the Dole breed. Two sub-types of the Dole Gudbrandsdal breed have been fashioned since 1941. Between 1840 and 1860 three stallions- Toftebrun, Dovre, and Veikle Balder highly influenced Dole Trotter. The true foundation stallion of the Dole Trotter type is said to be Dovre. In the present scenario, the interbreeding of the two breeds is commonly going on and their differences are slightly seen.

Physique of Dole Horse

Physical traits of the Dole Horse vary from a muscular draught type to a much lighter-weight animal reminiscent of the Fell pony. This horse has a neat, somewhat pony-type head with a straight face, set well on a neck with a slight to marked crest and strong shoulder which is often a little upright. It has a deep girth and strong body which is well-ribbed-up and powerful. Its hindquarters are round, legs are short and of abundant bone with moderate to heavy feathers, depending on the heaviness of type.

Body Color of Dole Horse

Dole horse is mostly seen in solid colors; almost black, brown, or bay.

The temperament of Dole Horse

Dole Horse is active, patient, and adaptable. It is also hardy and enduring.

Uses of Dole Horse

For heavy draft, agricultural work, and timber hauling chiefly, the heavier Dole Gudbrandsdal type is used. The lighter Dole Trotter is used largely for harness racing.

Dole Horse is easily the most influential and widespread breed in Norway. Varying as it does in type and this is probably owing to out-crossing with differing types of foreign stock, ranging from heavy draught to the Thoroughbred. It can perform all the tasks required by farmers, Carter, and lumbermen and also be an economic, sure-footed saddle horse.

The demand for Dole horses, steady throughout the first part of the 20th century, reached an artificial high in World War II because of the scarcity of motor filets. Demand for heavy horses has since declined and today there is a call for lighter animals of the riding type.

See more: Dartmoor Horse