Mary Allen
The Oldenburger is a heavy warmblood with clear contours and structures. Its neck is muscular, of medium length, and set high. He has well-developed withers with large and muscular shoulders. The head of the Oldenburger is very expressive. The back is long, the croup is well-muscled, and the chest is very deep and wide. He has expansive gaits and a good swing in trot and canter. The majority can be found blacks or browns, but there are also molds and foxes.
Breed Characteristics and Appearance
How big does an Oldenburger get?
It can reach a height between 158 and 168 cm.
Traits of Temperament
What are the characteristics of an Oldenburger?
This horse breed is characterized by its calm temperament, its balance, and its great nerves.
Are Oldernburgers suitable for beginners?
It is particularly suitable as a partner for leisure or work. Oldenburger is very sociable and brings a high level of motivation and high performance.
Origin & History
Where does an Oldenburger originally come from?
The history of the Alt-Oldenburger, now also known as Ostfriese / Alt-Oldenburger, goes back a long way. So they used to be two separate breeds and were used as carriage horses and workhorses. Over the centuries, other horse breeds were gradually crossed into the breeding of the East Frisians as well as the Oldenburg. The aim was to make the gaits better and finer. The Hanoverian and Spanish breeds are particularly noteworthy here. Only after the Second World War were Arab thoroughbreds integrated into the breed, but without success. The East Frisian breed disappeared, while the Oldenburg horses were crossed with the Saxon-Thuringian heavy warmblood. Since the late 1980s, there has been a common studbook for both breeds.
In 1986 the breed association for the East Frisian / Oldenburg horse was founded. The aim of this establishment was the breeding back and restoration of the old original breed. Today these calibers and at the same time, elegant horses with their particularly calm mind are increasingly being bred. Over 200 breeders are registered in the association.
Care, Health, Diseases
Are there diseases typical of the breed in the Oldenburg?
When breeding this breed, a lot of emphases is placed on healthy animals. In addition to species-appropriate feeding and keeping, this also includes the precise selection of animals suitable for breeding.
If the Oldenburger is used in agriculture or forestry, it is exposed to corresponding loads. As in driving or other areas, this can lead to injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Feeding errors can also lead to obesity. Otherwise, no hereditary diseases are known.
Interesting Facts About the Diet of the Oldenburger
How do I feed an Oldenburger?
The topic of feeding must always be viewed individually. It is important to remember, however, that a heavy warmblood of the weight class is heavier than a warmblood. However, it is lighter than cold blood. In the case of many manufacturers’ information on feed bags or information on minerals, the limits are often only set up to 650 kg. It is therefore very important to look closely and calculate the required amount. The motto “a lot helps a lot” is not advisable when it comes to feeding. The Oldenburg horses are caliber horses, so very heavy with very strong bones. They are often easy to feed and can use feed well. Your specific energy requirements must therefore be carefully calculated and implemented in order to simply avoid an oversupply and obesity.
How much feed does an Oldenburger need?
The actual work performance of the horse is to be considered in the same way. If the Oldenburg is used as a riding horse and if only a little bit of work is done on the lunge and under the saddle, it is usually only little to light work. Thus, the amount of feed should only be a little more than the maintenance requirement. The energy requirement can sometimes even be provided by sufficiently high-quality hay, the pasture in summer, and the addition of minerals and vitamins. This depends on the hay and also the pasture. Depending on when the hay is harvested, it has different levels of energy and protein. The pasture can also produce different levels of protein, depending on the length of use and quality. However, if the Oldenburger is regularly in front of the carriage or even works in agriculture or forestry, he does more work and his energy needs increase. Likewise, stallions or broodmares as well as foals and yearlings have different requirements.
Activities with the Oldenburger
Which sports are suitable for Oldenburgers?
The Oldenburger are ideal for carriage or work in agriculture. Because originally they were used exactly for that. Whether one horse or two in front of the carriage – these horses look a lot and look elegant and at the same time strong and muscular. It is up to each horse owner to decide whether it is just about recreational fun or professional driving sport. As Oldenburgers are considered to be very nervous, calm, and relaxed, they are ideal partners for leisure activities. Sometimes they can even be found in dressage, as they are known for their expansive gaits and their willingness to perform.
Consideration Before Purchasing
Where can I buy an Oldenburger?
Since the Alt-Oldenburger breed is less common, the search for the horse of your choice can take a little more time. However, there are some breeders who continue to breed this breed. Precise considerations as to whether a foal or a horse that has already been trained must be made in advance. Foals or sometimes weaners are offered by breeders. Older and trained horses, on the other hand, are often placed privately.
Upbringing and Attitude
How do I keep an Oldenburger?
Oldenburger as large and heavy horses need space and movement accordingly. It is not only sufficient grazing on well-tended meadows that counts, but also staying in the appropriate facilities in winter. The box itself should also be geared towards the size of the Oldenburg. Contact with conspecifics should always be a matter of course. Young horses ideally grow up with sufficient exercise, peers of their own species, appropriate feeding, and getting to know important basic knowledge such as vet, being properly guided, etc.
Interesting, Worth Knowing, and Extras
Why are Oldenburgers so popular?
Oldenburger is known for its calm, balanced temperament and good character. They are also characterized by their high level of motivation. As driving horses, sometimes even in driving, they are valuable partners.