Chapter IX. 



OLDENBURG COACH HORSES. 



Concerning the origin of the Oldenburg Coacher, we learn from 

 Hoffmeister's "History of the Oldenburg Horse," published in 1884, 

 that Oldenburg has long been noted for its fine horses. As far back as 

 the i6th century, careful steps were taken to advance the horse-breeding 

 interests. Hoffmeister, in the work above mentioned, says : 



" From 1552 to 1557 Count Johann was on intimate terms with the sons of Christian 

 III. of Denmark, then being educated at Copenhagen, afterwards aiding each other in the 

 wars of Sweden and Denmark. These kings took an active interest in the horse culture, 

 and imported horses from Turkey, Italy and Spain. The pride that Johann XVI. took in 

 horse culture, without doubt, was taken up by his relatives and carried to Oldenburg." 



Unlike the French Coacher admittedly of recent formation the 

 Oldenburg horse is supposed to be the product of steady breeding in 

 blood lines for many generations, with a basis of Oriental blood Turk, 

 Barb and Arabian on the best common or native mares of the Duchy. 

 C. E. Stubbs, one of the leading breeders of Oldenburgs in America, 

 says concerning their origin : 



"Without a doubt the blood of the Arabian and Barb was more than 300 years ago 

 carried to Oldenburg and infused into the native blood of the country, which has devel- 

 oped the present large, high-gaited, symmetrical horses of the Duchy. " 



Their importation to America has been only within the last few years, 

 but there are already a goodly number of breeders and very many excel- 

 lent individual animals credited to this side of the Atlantic. The Amer- 

 ican "Oldenburg Coach Horse Association" has been recently organ- 

 ized (C. E. Stubbs, Fairfield, Iowa, secretary), and after some trials and 

 tribulations in the way of suits and restraining injunctions, is now fairly 

 launched before the public. 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Uniformly blacks, bays or browns, with or without dapples, and in- 

 variably with mealy nose. In size they are about equal to the Cleveland 

 Bay stallions weighing from 1,100 to 1,300 or 1,400 Ibs., and standing 

 from 16 to 16}^ hands in height. They are spirited, high headed, high- 

 knee acting, intelligent looking carriage horses, with neat, clean legs, 

 and firm, well made feet. Although spirited, they are uniformly kind in 

 disposition, and are known to be easily broken and handled for carriage 

 uses. 



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