Oldenburg Horse

The Oldenburg originated in the north of Germany between the Weser river and the Netherlands. In the 16th century Herzog Gunther von Oldenburg played an influential part in the development of the Oldenburg and also gave the breed his name. He crossed Friesian mares with selected stallions from Italy and Spain to produce a great coach horse. Later the introduction of Thoroughbred, Cleveland Bay, Hanoverian and Norman blood produced a heavily built, upstanding horse, measuring 17hh which became popular as work and coach horse. With the start of motorised transport breeders produced general purpose farm horses. In the 1960's the German Oldenburg Breeding Association decided to introduce further Thoroughbred and some Selle Français blood to develop a much finer sports horse. The Oldenburg still tends to be bigger than most warmblood horses but most coach horse characteristics have been eliminated. The Oldenburg is Germany's heaviest warmblood horse and has been exported to many countries in the world. It is particularly popular in the United States.