Also known as D\u00f8lehest, Ostlandhester, D\u00f8le Trotter and Norwegian Trotter, the D\u00f8le Gudbrandsdal is the most widespread breed in Norway today and one of the smallest cold blooded breeds.
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Organized breeding of this lively animal began in the middle of the 19th century, but it’s though to have come from Dutch Friesian bloodlines and date back to between 400 – 800 BC. <\/p>\n
In the early 20th century trotting races gained popularity in Norway and is still a thriving sport. Traditionally about 50% of the horses racing are hotblooded trotters (Standardbreds, etc.) and 50% are coldblooded trotters like the D\u00f8le. <\/p>\n
By 1967 the National D\u00f8lehorse Association was established in the hopes of preserving and promoting the heavier, draft type of the breed. Breeding of the D\u00f8le is taken seriously and led by the government in conjunction with the various breed associations. <\/p>\n
There are two different types of D\u00f8le horse, heavy and light draft (coldblooded trotter stock). Although the differences between the two types is becoming fuzzy as interbreeding has created more uniformity. The two types are still judged in separate classes, but they all belong to the same studbook. According to the DAD-IS they are at risk and as of 2022 there were 1331 left. <\/p>\n
Average height 14.1 – 16 hands
\nAgile and active with great stamina <\/p>\n
Head is small but heavy and square with a straight profile
\nEars are long and eyes are small
\nNeck is short in length and well muscled
\nBack is long and straight
\nLegs are short and sturdy (heavy type displays feathering)
\nHooves are broad and hard<\/p>\n
Solid colors<\/a><\/p>\n Intelligent and fast learners<\/p>\n Draft and agricultural work Landslaget for D\u00f8lehest<\/a>Temperament<\/h3>\n
Use<\/h3>\n
\nHarness racing
\nPleasure horse<\/p>\nHelpful Links<\/h3>\n
\nNordGen Norwegian Trotter<\/a>
\nNordGen Dole<\/a><\/p>\nMore Images<\/h3>\n
![\"D\u00f8le](\"\/images\/dole-gudbrandsdal-2.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"D\u00f8le](\"\/images\/dole-gudbrandsdal-3.webp\")
<\/p>\n![HaXXa<\/a> under the](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Dole_eating_grass.jpg\"){kind=link}
![\u00d8yvind Holmstad<\/a> under the](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Kj%C3%B8ring_av_takspon_med_d%C3%B8lahest_og_h%C3%B8vel_p%C3%A5_Gr%C3%B8na_skysstasjon_p%C3%A5_%C3%B8stre_Toten_12.JPG\"){kind=link}