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Døle Gudbrandsdal |
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Døle Gudbrandsdal |
Since this breed resembles the English
Fell and
Dales ponies in appearance, it seems
likely that both breeds share similar origins, such as the
Friesian. Due to the close contact between Norway and England, the Friesian has been imported into both countries. The Døle has contributed to other northern breeds in Europe. The Døle originated in Norway's Gudbrandsdal valley, and is nationally important. The Døle Gudbrandsdal is a horse of meso-brachymorphic origins, and today, in its original version, it is used in Norway to hauling timber and for general farm work.
Recently the Døle received contributions from the English Thoroughbred, and various trotting or heavy draft breeds. A stallion named Odin (previously named Partisan), who is reputedly a Norfolk Trotter, although some consider him to have been an English Thoroughbred and by the purebred Arabian Mazarin, had a decisive influence on the breed when imported into Norway in 1934. The Døle contributed to the formation of the breed known as the North Swedish Horse, which bears a remarkable resemblance to the former.
The Døle has exceptional trotting ability, and a lighter version has been developed using more input of trotting breeds to improve racing performance. This lighter version has been known as the Døle or Norwegian Trotter since 1941. This trotter has its own Stud Book which carries the letter "T," while that of the working version uses the latter "G." Three stallions played an important role in the formation and development of the Døle Trotter between 1840 and 1860 - Veikle Balder, Toftebrun and Dovre. Dovre is registered in the breed records as G130, and is the true foundation sire for this small trotting breed. A breed record for speed is 1'21"6 for 1 kilometer, established in 1986 by a five-year-old named Alm Svarten. The Døle has a patient by energetic temperament, and with its strong quality and good stamina, it has an aptitude for heavy draft and farm work, as well as trotting racing.
The Døle Gudbrandsdal typically stands 14.1 to 15 hands high and weighs 1,190 to 1,390 pounds. Colors are generally bay, brown, or black, but palomino and grey occur more rarely. Its head is heavy and rather square, with a full forelock and straight profile. The ears are long, and the eyes small. Its neck is rather short and muscular having a full mane. The broad withers are moderately pronounced, and the back is long and straight. It has strong loins, a broad and muscular croup which is slightly sloping. It has a long, full tail that is set-on low. The strong and muscular shoulder is nicely sloping and the chest is wide and deep. The short and sturdy legs are well-muscled, with broad and solid joints, and short cannons. There is heavy feathering from the cannons down and the feet are broad and of tough horn.
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This warmblood breed comprises nearly half of the population of horses in Norway. Resembling the British Dales and Fell ponies, it is similarly derived from the same wild prehistoric ponies. The Døle Gudbrandsdal is bred in the great central valley in Norway of the same name. This horse is typically used in agriculture and for pack. Noted for its trotting speed, a lighter Døle Trotter was developed for harness racing. The heavier, draft type has been retained and is used for light draft. The Døle Gudbrandsdal originated in the 19th century and is at home in the environment of the cool temperate zone.
Odin, an English Thoroughbred stallion was imported into Norway in 1834 and became the most significant influence on the Trotter. In 1962 the State established breeding centers and performance-tested stallions on a 1,000 meter track with a time limit of three minutes.
The Døle Trotter provided additional activity to the Døle Gudbrandsdal horses improving the breed's aptitude at trotting. The primitive, slow-moving, coldblood base of the New Forest Horse provided the breed's weight. Adding refinment, the Thoroughbred improved conformation, action and, speed.
Standing between 14.2 and 15.2 hands, it is hardy and very powerful in relation to its size. The Døle Gudbrandsdal warmblood has a back inclined to be long, but with good depth in the girth. There is some feathering on its legs, and its hock joints are large and powerful. The Døle has a neck that is longer than might be expected for a horse of this type. The Døle's coat may be black or brown.
For more information on Døle horses, visit:
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© 1997-2018 NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 2/19/2018 |
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