36-607: The Dole Gudbrandsdal , Dølahest , or Dole is a draft - and harness -type horse from Norway . The Dole Trotter is alternately considered a subtype of the Dole Gudbrandsdal and a separate breed; it is also considered a part of the coldblood trotter type. The Dole Gudbrandsdal is a small draft horse, known for its pulling power and agility, while the Dole Trotter is a smaller, faster horse used for harness racing. The two types were previously commonly interbred, but
72-506: A day. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, and risk of laminitis can be a concern. The largest horse in recorded history was probably a Shire born in 1846 named Sampson (renamed Mammoth). He stood 218 cm (21.2 hands) high, and his peak weight was estimated at 1,524 kilograms (3,360 lb). At over 193 cm (19 hands), a Shire gelding named Goliath (1977–2001) was the Guinness Book of World Records record holder for
108-404: A million draft horses were used during World War I . The British were importing American draft horses to supplement their dwindling stock even before America joined the war, preferring Percheron crosses which they said had "great endurance, fine physique, soundness, activity, willingness to work, and almost unfailing good temper". British buyers were buying 10,000 to 25,000 American horses and mules
144-524: A month, eventually making up about two-thirds of British Army war horses. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, thousands of draft horses were imported from Western Europe into the United States . Percherons came from France, Belgians from Brabant , Shires from England, Clydesdales from Scotland. Many American draft breed registries were founded in the late 19th century. The Percheron, with 40,000 broodmares registered as of 1915,
180-596: A number of breeds, with varying characteristics, but all share common traits of strength, patience, and a docile temperament. While indispensable to generations of pre-industrial farmers, draft horses are used today for a multitude of purposes, including farming, draft horse showing , logging, recreation, and other uses. Draft breeds have been crossbred with light riding breeds such as the Thoroughbred to create sport horses or warmbloods . While most draft horses are used for driving , they can be ridden and some of
216-412: A source of horsepower for farming, hauling freight and moving passengers. The advent of railroads increased demand for working horses, as a growing economy still needed transport over the 'last mile' between the goods yard or station and the final customer. Even in the 20th century, until motor vehicles became an affordable and reliable substitute, draft horses were used for practical work. Over half
252-408: A subtype of the Dole Gudbrandsdal and a separate breed. Interest in the Dole Gudbrandsdal continued through World War II, and the horses were used heavily during Norway's occupation by Germany. Breed numbers and interest diminished after the war, as increasing mechanization reduced demand for draft animals; however, a breeding center was established in 1962 to help maintain population numbers. In 1947,
288-456: A variety of duties. One type of horse-powered work was the hauling of heavy loads, plowing fields, and other tasks that required pulling ability. A heavy, calm, patient, and well-muscled animal was desired for this work. Conversely, a light, more energetic horse was needed for riding and rapid transport. Thus, to the extent possible, a certain amount of selective breeding was used to develop different types of horse for different types of work. It
324-536: Is a bit slower than lighter horse breeds, more akin to that of ponies, requiring less feed per pound of body weight. This is possibly due to their calmer nature. Nonetheless, because of their sheer size, most require a significant amount of feed per day. Generally a supplement to balance nutrients is preferred over a large quantity of grain. They consume hay or other forage from 1.5% to 3% of their body weight per day, depending on work level. They also can drink up to 95 litres; 21 imperial gallons (25 US gal) of water
360-683: Is a common misunderstanding that the Destrier that carried the armoured knight of the Middle Ages had the size and conformation of a modern draft horse, and some of these Medieval war horses may have provided some bloodlines for some of the modern draft breeds. The reality was that the high-spirited, quick-moving Destrier was closer to the size, build, and temperament of a modern Andalusian or Friesian . There also were horses of more phlegmatic temperaments used for pulling military wagons or performing ordinary farm work which provided bloodlines of
396-470: Is often used for harness racing. The Dole Gudbrandsdal has also been crossed with Swedish Warmbloods to produce riding-type horses, and Dole/Thoroughbred crosses may produce nice hunter horses . Draft horse A draft horse (US) or draught horse (UK), also known as dray horse , carthorse , work horse or heavy horse , is a large horse bred to be a working animal hauling freight and doing heavy agricultural tasks such as plowing . There are
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#1732771828786432-438: Is present in the population, as is the cream gene , meaning palomino , buckskin and smoky black occurs. Double dilute individuals are considered undesirable in the stud book due to now-disproven associations with albinism. Double-dilute stallions are prohibited from breeding, whilst double-dilute mares are not certified at studbook inspections but their progeny may be registered in the studbook. The dun gene does not exist in
468-536: Is used mainly for heavy draft and agricultural work, as well as timber hauling, while the lighter Dole Trotter is used mainly for harness racing. The Dole Gudbrandsdal was an influential breed in the formation of the North Swedish Horse , and the two breeds are very similar in conformation. When the Dole and North Swedish breeds are crossed, they produce a lighter-weight horse with more forward gaits that
504-596: The Amish and Mennonites . Draft horses are still used for logging , a forestry management practice to remove logs from dense woodland where there is insufficient space for mechanized vehicles or for other conservation considerations. Draft horse breeds have played a significant role in the development of many warmblood breeds, popular today in advanced level equine sports. Small areas still exist where draft horses are widely used as transportation due to legislation preventing automotive traffic, such as on Mackinac Island in
540-592: The Norwegian Trotting Association was formed by enthusiasts of the second type. In 1902, the first Dole Gudbrandsdal studbook was published, containing stallions from both types born between 1846 and 1892. In 1903, the Norwegian Trotting Association split their registration between purebred Norwegian trotters and trotting crosses. At the same time, standards for entry were tightened and the first inspection committee
576-589: The studbooks have been separate since 2000 and since 2016 the criteria for entry into the Gudbrandsdal horse studbook has required a strict critique of eligible mares. The Dole is originally from the Gudbrandsdal Valley , and is probably descended in part from the Friesian horse . Over time, the breed has had Thoroughbred , Arabian , and other breeds added in, especially during the creation of
612-490: The tractor , reduced the need for the draft horse. Many were sold to slaughter for horse meat and a number of breeds went into significant decline. Today, draft horses can be seen in horse shows , pulling competitions , heavy horse trials, parades pulling large wagons , and pulling tourist carriages. However, they are still seen on some smaller farms in the US and Europe. They are particularly popular with agrarian groups such as
648-426: The 9th century through the mid-11th century; this extended period of trade between these areas likely influenced the strong resemblance between the Dole, Friesian, Fell Pony and Dale Pony breeds. Two stallions, Odin and Mazarin, had a large influence on the development of the Dole breed. Odin (son of Partisan), was a stallion of Thoroughbred (some sources say Norfolk Trotter ) breeding, imported to Norway in 1834. Odin
684-572: The Dole Trotter in the 19th century. The first studbook was created in 1941, and the current breed association was formed in 1947. Although originally used mainly as a pack horse , today, the heavier Dole type is used mainly for agricultural purposes. The Dole Gudbrandsdal been crossed with other breeds to develop horses for harness racing and riding . Dole horses generally stand at 14.1 to 15.3 hands (57 to 63 inches, 145 to 160 cm) high, weigh 1,190 to 1,390 pounds (540 to 630 kg), and are usually bay , black , or chestnut . Gray
720-626: The National Dølehorse Association was formed to promote and preserve the breed. As of 2002, about 4,000 Dole Gudbrandsdals are registered, with around 175 new foals added annually. When originally developed, Dole Gudbrandsdals were used as pack horses on overland trade routes across Norway, the main one of which connected Oslo with the North Sea and ran through the Gudbrandsdal Valley. The Dole Gudbrandsdal
756-613: The United States. Management of a large draft horse can be costly, including feed, shoeing, and veterinary care. Although many draft horses can work without a need for shoes, if they are required, farriers may charge twice the price to shoe a draft horse as a light riding horse because of the extra labor and specialized equipment required. Historically, draft horses were shod with horseshoes that were significantly wider and heavier than those for other types of horses, custom-made, often with caulkins . The draft horse's metabolism
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#1732771828786792-699: The breed's history, it was prone to weak legs and low fertility , but these problems have since been corrected. Dole horses closely resemble the British Fell and Dales ponies , which developed from the same ancestral stock. When presented for grading and studbook inspection , the heavy-type Dole Gudbrandsdals are tested for pulling power and trotting. In the lighter type, X-rays showing the knee and lower legs to be free of defects must be presented. Trotting-type mares with proper conformation that are not fast enough during grading may be registered as draft-type Doles. These strict and organized standards have improved
828-626: The lighter draft breeds are capable performers under saddle. Draft horses are recognizable by their extremely muscular build. They tend to have broad, short backs with powerful hindquarters. In general, they are taller and tend to have heavier bone and a more upright shoulder than riding horses, producing conformation that is well suited for pulling. Many draft breeds have heavier hair, called feathering on their lower legs. Draft breeds range from approximately 163 to 193 cm (16 to 19 hands) high and from 640 to 910 kg (1,400 to 2,000 lb). Humans domesticated horses and used them to perform
864-461: The modern draft horse. Records indicate that even medieval drafts were not as large as those today. Of the modern draft breeds, the Percheron probably has the closest ties to the medieval war horse. By the 19th century horses weighing more than 730 kilograms (1,600 lb) that also moved at a quick pace were in demand. Tall stature, muscular backs, and powerful hindquarters made the draft horse
900-417: The name, all are the same breed of horse. They were used under saddle as the quickest means of travel in areas with no established roads. The breed was known for its ability to carry a heavy man for great distances at speeds up to 17 mph. Trotting races (usually under saddle), were very popular in the early part of the 19th century, and Norfolk Trotters excelled in them. A Norfolk Trotter stallion, Bellfounder,
936-445: The population. White markings may occur on the head and legs. The head is heavy with a straight profile, the neck rather short and muscular, the withers moderately pronounced and broad, the chest wide and deep, and the shoulder strong, muscular, and sloping. The back is long and the croup broad, muscular, and slightly sloping. The legs are short but sturdy and well muscled, with broad, solid joints and tough hooves. At one point in
972-452: The quality of the Dole breed over the past few decades. Although the Dole horse is one of the smallest draft breeds, it shows great pulling power, and is also hardy and agile. They are especially known for their excellent trot, as is shown by the lighter subtype of the breed. During the late 20th century, interbreeding between the two types became quite common; due to this, the breed became much more uniform in type, with fewer differences between
1008-533: The trotter and draft sections. The Dole is thought to have originated in the Gudbrandsdal , an inland valley in the county of Oppland . It is likely that the Dole is in part a descendant of the Friesian , as the two breeds are similar in conformation, and the Frisian people were known traders in the area between 400 and 800 AD. There was also equine movement between western Norway and northern England during
1044-469: The world's tallest living horse (until his death). Big Jake (2001–2021), an American Belgian standing 210.2 cm (20.275 hands), held the record for tallest living horse from 2010 until his death in 2021. As of 2024, there is no living record holder. The following breeds of horse are considered draft breeds: Norfolk Trotter The Norfolk Trotter is a historical horse breed once native to East Anglia and Norfolk , England . It
1080-562: Was America's most numerous draft breed at the turn of the 20th century. A breed developed exclusively in the U.S. was the American Cream Draft , which had a stud book established by the 1930s. Beginning in the late 19th century, and with increasing mechanization in the 20th century, especially following World War I in the US and after World War II in Europe, the popularity of the internal combustion engine, and particularly
1116-624: Was a son of the great racehorse Flying Childers (a descendant of the Darley Arabian , one of the three foundation sires of the Thoroughbred ). The Norfolk Trotter became the all-around travel horse in England at this time. In Yorkshire, the same breed was known as the Yorkshire Trotter . Both breeds were also known as roadsters . The term Norfolk/Yorkshire Roadster/Trotter is seen commonly in breed-history books; regardless of
Dølehest - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-525: Was created. In 1965, the Norwegian or Dole Trotter studbook was taken over by the Norwegian Trotting Association, as part of the new coldblood trotter program approved by the Norwegian Ministry for Agriculture. The Dole Trotter studbook is still coordinated with the original Dole Gudbrandsdal registry, and horses have to meet many of the same standards. The Dole Trotter is alternately considered
1188-572: Was said to be "a large-sized trotting harness horse originating in and around Norfolk". In 1542, King Henry VIII required the wealthy to keep a specified number of trotting-horse stallions. The breed was well established in Norfolk, and later became known as the Norfolk Trotter. The most influential sire in its history is the half-bred stallion Shales (foaled 1755), also known as "Old Shales". Shales' Thoroughbred sire, Blaze (foaled 1733),
1224-517: Was said to cost £257 at the time and to have been bred to over 100 mares in his first four years in Norway. All Dole Trotter horses today contain Odin bloodlines. Mazarin was an Arabian imported to Norway in 1934. In 1849, another influential stallion was foaled, named Veikle Balder 4; he was a grandson of Odin and is considered the foundation stallion of the heavier Dole type. A stallion named Brimen 825
1260-443: Was used by breeders to maintain and improve some horses of the heavier Dole type for draft uses. In the 19th century, harness racing began to rise in popularity in Norway and breeders looked to create a horse suitable for that sport. The Dole Trotter, a smaller, lighter, faster variation of the draft-type Dole Gudbrandsdal, was then developed. Infusions of Thoroughbred blood, as well as that of various trotting and heavy draft breeds,
1296-451: Was used to create this new type. The Dole Trotter was especially influenced between 1840 and 1860 by two other stallions, Toftebrun and Dovre (an Arabian); the latter is the foundation stallion of the Dole Trotter type. The two types are commonly interbred, especially since 1960. In 1872, the Dole Gudbrandsdal was split into two types, a class for heavier agriculture and driving horses and a class for lighter racing and riding horses. In 1875,
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