Origin
Germany
History
The Oldenburg is one of the best known German warmbloods. The Oldenburger originated in the provinces of Oldenburg and East Friesland, and was based on the old Friesian horses found in the region between the River Weser and the Netherlands. Its development as a coach horse, however, was due largely to the Count Anton Günther von Oldenburg. He situated the main breeding area in the sandy regions of Geest, setting up stud farms and breeding stations. He built the royal stables and a riding school in Rastede, and completely controlled trade in horses in his realm. He imported Spanish and Neapolitan horses, both of which had a background of Barb blood and which were then acknowledged as the most significant and valuable to be found in Europe. He made great use of the gray stallion Kranich, a descendant of notable Spanish lines and probably similar to the Czechoslovakian Kladruber which was established at Kladrub in 1572.
Over the next century, the Roman-nosed Oldenburger coach horse gave way to a more refined carriage horse, which could also go quite well under saddle.
In the last part of the 18th century, in addition to the Spanish, Neapolitan, and Barb blood, half-bred English stallions were introduced. These half-breds, which were influenced by the early Thoroughbred blood strains and the influential trotting Nordfolk Roadsters, were introduced to create an important refining element. After this, there followed a sensible period of consolidation, and there was no further major influx of outside blood until the late 19th century.
Around 1897, English Thoroughbreds were used, including at least one line tracing to the unbeaten racehorse Eclipse. In addition to Thoroughbreds, considerable use was made of the Cleveland Bay. Some Hanoverian crosses were also used, but the most important influence was that of the Norman Horse.
Up until the First World War, breeders of Oldenburg horses continued to breed the heavy-type carriage horse. After the Second World War, the Oldenburg faced a new beginning, the breeders following the market demand for a useful. All-around riding horse. This was the prototype for the modern Oldenburger, still a big, impressive horse, but more refined than its forebears. In the 1950s, a Norman stallion named Condor was used. At about the same type, the Thoroughbred Lupus was imported. Since then crosses have been predominantly Thoroughbred, with some Hanoverian.
Description
- Head:
of average size, with a straight or often convex profile, very pricked-up ears - Conformation:
-muscular neck, average in length, well set on and carried elegantly
-well pronounced withers
-sloping and muscular shoulder
-deep chest
-straight back
-fairly flat and well muscled croup
-powerfully built hind quarters
-short, powerful legs with large joints and plenty of bone - Average height:
16.1 to 17.2 h.h. - Colours:
bay, brown, black, or grey, rarely chestnut - Temperament:
the Oldenburg has a kind, yet bold nature - Today:
the Oldenburg is an all-purpose riding type, considerably finer than its coaching ancestors.
