Noriker
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Names: Noriker, Pinzgau, Pinzgauer Noriker, Noric, Oberländer. I used to believe Pinzgau/Pinzgauer refers specifically to the spotted type of Noriker, and I am unfamiliar with the name Oberländer. However, one source implied that it is called the Pinzgau in Austria and the Oberländer in Germany. This makes some sense, but then I don't know where it would be called the Noriker. So...for now I will use the name I am most familiar with—the Noriker—and maybe someday I'll sort all these other names out!
Origin: The area covered by the former Roman provinces of Noricum. In Austria, as Pinzgau, around Salzburg, Tyrol, Karnten, Steiermark, and Upper Austria. In Germany, as Oberländer, in Upper and Lower Bavaria.
Breeding: Oldest Austrian breed. Probably goes back to the heavy Roman horse of Noricum Province. The present day Noriker breed was mentioned at the time of Charlemagne. Systematic breeding began in the Middle Ages under the archbishop of Salzburg. Hardly any foreign blood admixture. (One source evidently disagreed with this last sentence; it stated that the Noriker "now has many ancestors - including Cleveland Bays.)
Description: Stocky, long, native, heavy-draught horse. (As neither of the above pictures are very clear, I have included another picture of the Noriker here for reference to conformation.)
Action: Walking horse with rather sleepy, shuffling movements in walk and trot.
Body: Thick, short neck. Short, flat withers. Back frequently long and hollow. Little barrel, short ribbed. Ample depth in the girth. Straight, loaded shoulders. Very broad chest. Broad, cleft and oblique quarters. Tail set on low. Large belly.
Color: Bay, tan, chestnut and dun; skewbald and spotted.
Hair: Thick, curly mane.
Head: Heavy, set low. Clear eyes.
Hooves: Good, flat.
Legs: Short, nondescript, often badly placed, and tendons and joints not clearly marked. Long forearms. Short, feathered pasterns.
Size: 15-16 hands. 16 to 16.2 hands.
Temperament: Rather sluggish temperament and good-natured character.
Features: True mountain horse. Quiet and strong. Matures early, lives long.
Uses: Good for pulling ploughs. Spotted ones make striking circus horses.
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