Oldenburg (horse)
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The Oldenburg is a breed of horse originating in Germany. They are most popular for use today in the sports of dressage and show jumping.
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[edit] The History
The Oldenburg was first bred in Lower Saxony, Germany. The foundations were first laid by Count Johan von Oldenburg in the late 16th century. He bred Friesian mares with Danish, Turkish, Neopolitan, and Andalusian stallions to produce large war horses. His son, Count Anton, travelled Europe and brought home the finest Spanish and Italian stallions, to add speed and strength. His tenant farmers were also allowed to breed from his stallions, establishing the tradition of small, private studs that is still common with the breeders in that region today.
In the 17th century, the Oldenburg became a well-known coach horse, admired for its height, power, and elegance. It was also used as a riding horse. In the 18th century, Thoroughbred blood was added to refine the breed. In 1820, it became illegal to use any but a government-approved stallion for breeding, but it wasn't until1861, that the Oldenburg stud book was established. In 1897, Oldenburg breeders brought Thoroughbreds, Cleveland Bays, Yorkshire Coach Horses, Normans, and some Hanoverians to further improve the breed.
In the earlier part of the 20th century, the Oldenburg was still being used as a high-stepping coach horse, as well as on farms. But as machinery replaced horse power, the stud owners decided to breed for an all-around riding horse. In the 1950s, the Thoroughbred Lupus and the Anglo-Norman Condor founded a new Oldenburg stallion line, which produced heavy but elegant mares. From that point, only the finest of European livestock have contributed to the breed. Thoroughbreds were used first to refine the Oldenburg, then Trakehners, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Arabians, Selle Francais, Hanoverians, and Westphalians. The resulting horse is an excellent sport horse that is more refined than its predecessors.
[edit] The Oldenburg Today
The Oldenburg has been especially successful in the dressage arena. Famous dressage horses include Donnerhall and Gestion Bonfire, as well as Relevant.
[edit] Registry
To be approved for breeding, a stallion must be certified by a licensing commission from the Oldenburg breed society. Several hundred horses are inspected at the age of 2.5, and the best 75-85 horses are then placed through a 3-day test, judged on their conformation and type. On the final day, the best of this smaller group are then chosen to be graded, with the most excellent earning the title of "Premium Stallion."
The graded horses are then taken to a 100-day testing, which judges the stallions on performance. This includes temperament, rideability, jumping ability, endurance, speed, and movement. Poor performance will prevent the horse from being approved for the final breeding stock status.
Mares must also be inspected for breeding purposes, being placed in one of (4) Mare Books. Inspection is inhand, on the triangle first at trot then at walk. Overall scores plus pedigree requirements dictate which book the mares will enter into.
Foals are inspected as sucklings or weanlings for foal papers, their original pink papers which verify parentage and breeding.
The Oldenburg Verband (Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society) is the original registry for Oldenburger horses world wide.
[edit] Breed Characteristics
The Oldenburg have a range of types within the breed. But all Oldenburg stock are chosen for their athletic ability, calm temperament, and strength. They are breed specifically for use as sport horses, and excel both in show jumping and in the dressage arena. The horses have several characteristics that are found in most of the world's sport horses of today: a sloping shoulder, long neck, and strong hindquarters. The breed comes in a variety of colors, although bay, black, and brown are the most common. The horses are usually 16.1-17.2 hands high, and are generally very trainable. They are not noted for speed, and have high knee-action from their carriage-horse days, but this does not detract from their abilities as a showjumper.
