Biodiversity
Brain
Genetics
Marine BiOLogy
MicrobiOLogy
PaleontOLogy
ZoOLogy
AnthropOLogy
ArchaeOLogy
Astronomy
Climate Change
Earth
Physics
Water
Oldenburg
Once a big-framed coach horse, the Oldenburg has been transformed into an athlete by breeders.
It is an outstanding competitor in dressage competitions. And it is among the heaviest and most powerfully built of all sport horses.
Height: 16-17 hh (horse hands)
Color: Gray, Black, Brown, Bay
Body Type: Light
This breed comes from...
Lower Saxony, Germany
Explore the traits of this breed!
SIDE VIEW
See how its long, strong neck is held high? This trait reflects the Oldenburg's background as a carriage horse.
Look at its "roman" nose that curves out. This trait reflects its heavy horse ancestry.
The Oldenburg is a tall breed. This horse is 16.3 hands (5 ft 7 in, 170 cm) high at the withers.
Click the circles
to learn
about traits
FRONT and BACK VIEW
Large hoofs help carry the Oldenburg's big frame.
Did you know that the mane of the Oldenburg mare is often braided during competition? It is shown loose in this picture.
Look at its muscular chest and deep girth. Although the Oldenburg is not a speedy horse, these traits give it athletic movements and powerful paces.
The Oldenburg has strong hindquarters and hind legs. These traits enable it to carry most of its weight from behind, which is important for both dressage and jumping competitions.
Look at its tail. It is set high on the hindquarters.
Oldenburgs can be any color—even part-colored. This horse is dapple gray.
Click the circles
to learn
about traits
The Oldenburg Story
In the 1600s, the rulers of Oldenburg, Germany, created the Oldenburg horse by crossbreeding Spanish horses with Friesian horses. The result was a tall, powerful, and elegant horse.
The Oldenburg was bred to pull coaches and do other jobs, like farm work and carrying riders. But in the 20th century, the invention of the automobile and mechanized farm equipment temporarily put the Oldenburg out of work. Since the 1930s, the breed has been made lighter by Thoroughbred genes. The Oldenburg has become a successful competitor in many equestrian events.
The Oldenburg has an "open studbook"—other breeds can be crossbred with the Oldenburg to improve the breed for competition. It has been crossbred with Hanoverians, Anglo-Arabians, Dutch Warmbloods, and Selle Français.
Appaloosa | Arabian | Belgian Draft | Connemara | Dutch Warmblood | Friesian | Haflinger | Hanoverian | Icelandic Horse | Lusitano | Miniature Horse | Morgan | Oldenburg | Paint | Percheron | Quarter Horse | Selle Français | Thoroughbred
Credits:
All images, © AMNH