Dølehest
Dølahorse eating grass
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| Other names | Dølahest Dole Trotter Norwegian Trotter |
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| Country of origin | Norway |
| Traits | |
| Distinguishing features | Small draft breed, good trot, used for draft work and harness racing |
| Breed standards | |
The Dole Gudbrandsdal, Dølahest or Dole is a draft- and harness-type horse from Norway. The Dole Trotter is alternately considered a subtype of the Dole Gudbrandsdal and a separate breed; it is also considered a part of the Coldblood trotter type. The Dole Gudbrandsdal is a small draft horse, known for its pulling power and agility, while the Dole Trotter is a smaller, faster horse used for harness racing; the two types are commonly interbred. Both types are strictly critiqued before entry into the studbook, which has over time resulted in an improvement in the breed type. The Dole is originally from the Gudbrandsdal Valley, and is probably descended in part from the Friesian horse. Over time the breed has had Thoroughbred, Arabian and other blood added in, especially during the creation of the Dole Trotter in the 19th century. The first studbook was created in 1941, and the current breed association formed in 1947. Although originally used mainly as a pack horse, today the heavier Dole type is used mainly for agricultural purposes. The Dole Gudbrandsdal been crossed with other breeds to develop horses for harness racing and riding.
The Dole horses generally stand 14.1 to 15.3 hands (57 to 63 inches, 145 to 160 cm) hands high, weigh 1,190 to 1,390 pounds (540 to 630 kg), and are usually bay, brown or black, with gray, palomino,chestnut and dun occurring less frequently. White markings may occur on the head and legs, especially on the trotter type. The head is heavy with a straight profile, the neck rather short and muscular, the withers moderately pronounced and broad, the chest wide and deep, and the shoulder strong, muscular and sloping. The back is long and the croup broad, muscular and slightly sloping. The legs are short but sturdy and well-muscled, with broad, solid joints and tough hooves. At one point in the breed's history it was prone to weak legs and low fertility, but these problems have since been corrected. Dole horses closely resemble the British Fell and Dales ponies, which developed from the same ancestral stock.
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