Horse
Pronunciation:
ohst-Free'-zhen, ahlt-Old'-den-berg-ger
Breed Description:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse is a type of German 'heavy' warmblood, which means it is a traditional warmblood type that exhibits more of the draft horse qualities of its ancestors than the lighter, riding horse traits. It is also called the Alt-Oldenburger, because it comes form Oldenburg, but it is distinguished in type form the Oldenburger breed, which is the lighter warmblood type. hence, it is called Alt-Oldenburger, or 'old Oldenburg'. The Ostfriesan is similar to the Friesian in many ways, being a light draft or heavy warmblood type, with powerful shoulders and an attractive, fast high stepping gait. They are used primarily as a pleasure riding horse and for carriage driving. The Ostfriesan comes in all solid colors although gray and chestnut are rare. there are less than 200 recognized Ostfriesen horses today..
Temperament:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse has a very docile and trainable temperament.
Height:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse stands 16 to 17 hands.
Weight:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse weighs 1200 to 1500 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse has no specific health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse is hardier than most warmblood types, and can be kept outdoors in most conditions.
Exercise:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse enjoys work and benefits from regular exercise.
Life Expectancy:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse lives into its mid to late twenties.
Grooming:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse has a fine coat with very little leg feathering and requires little maintenance.
Origin:
The Ostfriesen breed of horse today is bred close to its early 19th century type. Few horses are admitted to the stud book today, unless they can pass strict breed testing. The original Ostfriesan was developed in East (or 'Ost') Fresia, a part of Germany near the Netherlands. The Ostfriesen shares its orogins with the Friesan, and other lighter working and carriage horse breeds from the area. Like the Friesan, it has a mix of draft and Andalusian parentage, making it a sturdy horse with excellent quick paces, ideally suited to carriage driving.
An official stud book was established in the 1860s, although consistent breeding did not occur until the late 19th century. When the horse became recognized as an excellent cavalry mount during World War I, the breed became more widely recognized an distinguished from the Oldenburg warmblood. By the 1950s, when heavier horse breeds were losing popularity to lighter warmblood breeds more suitable for competitive disciplines, the Ostfrienen was nearly lost. Today, a small number of breeders are working carefully to restore the Ostfriesen, but there are still less than 200 examples.
