# Oldenburg weight and height: a large, compact warmblood and the load on its feet

> Oldenburg height from the International Museum of the Horse, warmblood weight from Minnesota, daily hay by body weight, and care notes on hooves and feeding.

Canonical: https://lucernel.com/guides/horse-breeds/oldenburg
Last updated: 2026-10-22

Oldenburgs stand 16.0 to 16.3 hands, and Oklahoma State describes a large but compact horse whose big hooves have to carry its weight, so feet and condition lead the care notes.

**Oldenburgs stand 16.0 to 16.3 hands, and warmbloods as a group average 1,300 pounds.** The International Museum of the Horse says the Oldenburg stands between 16.0 and 16.3 hands (64 to 67 inches). No source opened for this page gives an Oldenburg weight, so the best available estimate is the University of Minnesota’s average of 1,300 pounds (590 kg) for 89 adult warmbloods. (International Museum of the Horse and University of Minnesota Extension (the weight is the warmblood group figure))

| Source | Height | Weight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| International Museum of the Horse (archived 2020) | 16.0 to 16.3 hands | Not given |
| Oklahoma State University | Described as large; no number | Not given |
| University of Minnesota, 89 adult warmbloods (all breeds) | Average 66 inches (16.2 hands) | Average 1,300 lb |

The Minnesota figures describe warmbloods as a group, mostly seen at a hunter and jumper show, and not Oldenburgs alone.

## A big horse built compactly

Oklahoma State describes the modern Oldenburg as compact despite its size, with relatively short legs and cannons, powerful hindquarters, a deep chest and large hooves able to bear the weight of so large an animal. It adds that breeding horses must pass a performance test before final approval. Treat the group weight estimate below as a starting point, and trust a tape reading from your own horse over it.

## Daily hay for a 1,300 pound Oldenburg

The arithmetic uses 1,300 pounds, the Minnesota warmblood average. Merck says warmblood breeds tend toward the lower end of its intake range.

Merck gives 2 to 2.5% of body weight in feed dry matter as the usual starting range for a healthy adult, with at least half from forage, 1.5 to 2% as the goal for a horse that needs to lose weight when laminitis is not a worry, and 1.25% as the floor. The figures below are our arithmetic from 1,300 lb, counting hay as 90% dry matter, which is our assumption.

- 1.5% of body weight: 20 lb (9 kg) of dry matter, about 22 lb (10 kg) of hay
- 2% of body weight: 26 lb (12 kg) of dry matter, about 29 lb (13 kg) of hay
- 2.5% of body weight: 33 lb (15 kg) of dry matter, about 36 lb (16 kg) of hay

## A weight tape example for an Oldenburg

The horse weight calculator runs the adult equation from the Merck Veterinary Manual: measure heart girth and body length in inches, square the girth, multiply by the length and divide by 330 to get pounds. A heart girth of 80 inches and a body length of 69 inches gives 80 x 80 = 6,400, times 69 = 441,600, divided by 330 = about 1,338 lb (607 kg). Those measurements are our illustration of the formula, not a real horse.

Merck says the equation and tapes tend to underestimate weight, and the Minnesota study found draft horse and warmblood owners about 115 pounds, or 7%, off on average. Use a scale when you can, and measure the same way each time.

## Large hooves and the weight they carry

Merck sets trimming at 4 to 8 weeks to keep the hoof and leg balanced, and lists excess weight bearing among the causes of laminitis, with severe lameness and bounding digital pulses as the hallmark. Large hooves help a large horse, but extra condition still loads them, so keep to the trimming schedule your farrier sets.

## Feed type matters as much as amount

Merck says feeding more than half the ration dry matter as high starch or sugar concentrates raises the risk of laminitis, colic and gastric ulcers. Merck adds that many horses on good forage need little or no concentrate, and your vet can say when more energy is justified.

## Muscle disease

UC Davis reports PSSM2, a muscle disease, in warmbloods and Arabians. Recurring stiffness after work is a reason to call your vet before changing feed.

## Body condition

Merck advises a score of 4 to 6 on the 9 point Henneke scale. The Minnesota warmbloods averaged 5.2 and only 2% scored 7 or more. Score your horse by feel monthly and log the score with each weight.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does an Oldenburg weigh?

No source opened for this page gives an Oldenburg weight. The University of Minnesota’s adult warmbloods averaged 1,300 pounds (590 kg), which is the best available estimate.

### How tall is an Oldenburg?

The International Museum of the Horse says 16.0 to 16.3 hands, which is 64 to 67 inches at the withers.

### How much does an Oldenburg eat a day?

For a 1,300 pound horse, 2% of body weight is 26 pounds of dry matter, about 29 pounds of hay, and 2.5% is about 36 pounds. Merck says warmbloods tend toward the lower end. These figures are our arithmetic.

### Can an Oldenburg carry a 210 pound rider?

The University of Minnesota reports that an average adult light riding horse can comfortably carry about 20% of its ideal bodyweight, rider and tack included. For 1,300 pounds that is about 260 pounds, so a 210 pound rider with 25 pounds of tack is just inside it. Fitness and conformation change the answer.

## Sources (checked 2026-10-02)

- [International Museum of the Horse, Oldenburg (archived copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/http://imh.org/exhibits/online/breeds-of-the-world/europe/oldenburg/)
- [Oklahoma State University, Breeds of Livestock: Oldenburg Horses](https://breeds.okstate.edu/horses/oldenburg-horses)
- [University of Minnesota Extension, Estimating actual and ideal bodyweight of adult horses](https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/animals-and-livestock/horse/estimating-horse-bodyweight)
- [University of Minnesota Extension, Guidelines for weight-carrying capacity of horses](https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/animals-and-livestock/horse/guidelines-for-weight-carrying-capacity-of-horses)
- [Merck Veterinary Manual, Nutritional Requirements of Horses and Other Equids](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-horses/nutritional-requirements-of-horses-and-other-equids)
- [Merck Veterinary Manual, Feeding Practices in Horses and Other Equids](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-horses/feeding-practices-in-horses-and-other-equids)
- [Merck Veterinary Manual, Foot Care of Horses](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/preventative-health-care-and-husbandry-of-horses/foot-care-of-horses)
- [Merck Veterinary Manual, Laminitis in Horses](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/disorders-of-the-foot-in-horses/laminitis-in-horses)
- [UC Davis Center for Equine Health, Polysaccharide storage myopathy](https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/polysaccharide-storage-myopathy-pssm)