Chapter X. 



GERMAN COACH HORSES. 



(" German, Hanoverian and Oldenburg Coach Horses."} 



As the name of the breed indicates, it is of immediate German ori- 

 gin, and as the name of the American Association appearing in paren- 

 theses at the head of this chapter further indicates, there are admitted 

 to entry horses from several different sections of the German empire. 



As near as we can learn, the status of the two Coach breeds from 

 Germany furnishes a parallel to that of the two Draft breeds from France 

 Percheron and French Draft. Beyond all question there is much if 

 not all the same foundation stock in both Oldenburg and German Coach, 

 the main difference being that, while with the Oldenburg registration is 

 limited to horses produced in Oldenburg, or descendants of horses so 

 produced, with the German Coach Horse Stud Book, not only Olden- 

 burg Coachers, but also Coach Horses from other portions of the empire 

 and their descendants are admitted to registration. It is doubtless true 

 that many equally good horses are to be found in Germany outside of the 

 Duchy of Oldenburg, and that, therefore, there is some wisdom in hav- 

 ing a Stud Book Association which admits to entry good horses not 

 strictly Oldenburg bred. At the same time we cannot fail to notice the 

 value of the restriction to certain set blood lines which the Oldenburg 

 Stud Book requires. The Oldenburg is to the German Coacher what 

 the Percheron is to the French Draft the more carefully guarded blood 

 element, which has been and is still being preserved in restricted reg- 

 istration, and which must, therefore, prove of greatest value for breeding 

 purposes. 



The first importation of German Coachers to *he United States was 

 made by the well-known firm of Oltmann Bros., Watseka, 111., in 1885, 

 since which time they have been imported and bred in large numbers. 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Color, black, bay, brown or chestnut, with or without dapples 

 sometimes with a small white star, and occasionally with white feet and 

 ankles. In size they also vary somewhat more than the Oldenburg, 

 stallions standing from 15^ to 16^ hands, and weighing from 1,000 to 

 1,400 Ibs. As above indicated, they differ from the Oldenburg chiefly 

 in showing greater variation in all things color, size and action; but the 

 really good specimens of either breed are identical to all intents and 

 purposes. 



42 



