Oldenburg Horse

Origin: Germany — Oldenburg and East Friesland.

Height: 16.2-17.2hh.

Color: Any solid color — black, brown, and bay are the most common.Character: Precocious horse (matures early); bold, sensible, and kind.

Physique: Tallest and heaviest of the German warm-bloods. Somewhat plain head with a straight face. Long, strong neck; powerful, muscular shoulder, chest deep and roomy, deep girth; strong body and hindquarters; legs short with abundant bone, hocks well let down.

Almost all of the great foundation breeds of the taller saddle horses are represented in the pedigree of the Oldenburg. The basis of the breed, which has flourished since the early 17th century, seems to have been strong draught horses of the old Friesian type. To these were added, in the probable following order, Andalusians, Neapolitans, Barbs, English Thoroughbreds, Hanoverians, Cleveland Bays, and Norman/Anglo-Norman horses. This mixture had been incorporated by the turn of the century, at which time the Oldenburg was a prime coach horse type.

After World War I the Oldenburg suffered the usual fate of the coach horse overtaken by the automobile, and the emphasis of the breed was switched to a heavy warm-blood utility animal suitable for cavalry, pack, and light farm work. Mechanization of agriculture brought about a further redundancy and change of type, and the patient breeders of the Oldenburg once more began to change their stock to suit the market. This time Thoroughbred and Anglo-Norman stallions were the main influences, with some help from Hanoverian and East Prussian horses.

The result is a strong, all-purpose saddle horse of good conformation; a pleasant mount for the tall rider, and a useful horse for eventing and show-jumping.

See more: Paso Fino Horse