Norwegian Fjord

The Norwegian fjord is one of the oldest domesticated horse breeds, with pure bloodlines going back at least 4,000 years. They were the original mounts for the Vikings and later became farm draught horses. Called “fjordhest” in their native Norway, the fjord horse has one of the most iconic and unique looks amongst the horse breeds.

Approximately 90% of all fjord horses are brown dun, with a light brown body and dark brown primitive markings (dorsal stripe from forelock to tail, and zebra stripes on the legs). Most notable, they have a distinct black or dark brown stripe in the middle of a cream or white colored mane. The other 10% of fjords fall into one of the other color categories: red dun, grey dun, yellow dun, or white dun. The mane is trimmed short so the hair will stand erect, and into a crescent shape to emphasize the shape of the neck. They bear a resemblance to the Prezwalski horse, to which they may share ancestry, however are more closely related to the extinct Eurasian Tarpan horse.

Fjords generally range from 13.2-14.2 hands, but are well muscled and sturdy, and make a perfect mount for adults as well as children. Their easygoing demeanor and ease of training make them perfect for all disciplines, and you can see fjords competing in all but the highest levels of every discipline. Despite their short stocky stature, they are naturally athletic and have great endurance, which make them great mounts for trail and distance riding. They are often trained in driving as well, and often exceed in this discipline. They are easy keepers and do best on grass hay with little to no grain, and make great family mounts due to their kind and friendly temperament.