Dole Gudbrandsdal
Origin
Norway
History
The Dole Gudbrandsdal is an old breed from the great central valley of Gudbrandsdal, connecting the Oslo region with the North Sea coast. It is one of the smallest coldbloods. In appearance, it much resembles the Fell and Dales Ponies. The strong similarity is hardly surprising, since all three of these breeds would have derived from the same prehistoric wild stock. During the period 400 to 800 A.D. , Friesian merchants from the Netherlands introduced their own black horses to both Norway and the British Isles and later, between 800 and 1066 AD, there was much influence back and forth between western Norway and the North of England.
The Dole Gudbrandsdal horses were used as pack animals. Carrying goods, they serviced Norway´s overland trade route.
In the 19th century, numerous crosses were made with warmblood stallions, especially Swedish Warmbloods, as well as with English Thoroughbreds. The most notable were the crosses with the English Thoroughbred Odin imported in 1834, which produced a lighter type of horse. However, there was still a need to keep the heavier, more powerful type of horse for farming and this was made possible through one stallion in particular, Brimen 825.
Demand for the breed continued up to the Second World War. After the war, when forestry and agriculture became increasingly mechanized, interest waned until state breeding center were established in 1962.
Despite the fact that the first cross of warmblood and Dole produced animals of generally good riding type, the practice of crossbreeding with the Dole breed has more or less ceased and use of the English Thoroughbred has been very restricted.
The Dole Gudbrandsdal must undergo tests and grading. The draft-type is judged on pulling power and its trot. Its lower legs are x-rayed, and if weaknesses show up the animal may not be used for breeding.
Description
- Head:
it has pony character with a straight profile, a square muzzle and a wide forehead - Conformation:
-rather short and well muscled neck
-broad and pronounced withers
-long and straight back
-strong loins
-broad, muscular and gently sloped croup
-short and sturdy legs, well muscled with broad, strong joints and heavy feathering
-broad hooves with very hard horn - Average height:
14.1 to 16 h.h. - Colour:
bay or brown are the predominant colours - Temperament:
agile, active and shows great stamina - Today:
the Dole Gudbrandsdal is especially suitable for the agricultural work.
