Fjord horse: The Norwegian horse in breed portrait

Norwegian horse profile

Breed: Fjord horse (Norwegian Fjord horse, Norwegian horse)
Origin: Norway
Type: Robust pony, small horse
Height: 135-150 cm
Weight: 400-500 kg
Colors: Fawn colors (light brown fawn, red fawn, grey fawn, yellow fawn, white fawn)
Character: Friendly, strong-nerved, reliable, willing to work
Suitability: Recreational, therapy, western, driving and riding horse
Special features: Original wild markings (eel line, zebra stripes), extremely robust and hardy
Life expectancy: 25-30 years
Price: Between 3,000 and 10,000 euros, depending on age, training and pedigree

History & origin of the Norwegian Fjord Horse

The fjord horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in the world and has a direct link to the European wild horses. Finds prove that its ancestors lived in Norway over 4,000 years ago. The genetic proximity to the Tarpan, a now extinct wild horse that was widespread in Eastern Europe until the 19th century, is particularly striking.

The Tarpan was a compact, strong wild horse with a shoulder height of around 130-145 cm. It was characterized by its dun-coloured coat, the dark eel line on its back and the zebra stripes on its legs - all these features are still found in the Fjord Horse today. It is assumed that the ancestors of the fjord horse settled in Scandinavia during the last ice age and developed there over thousands of years in isolated, harsh conditions.

The Vikings in particular appreciated the robustness and versatility of these Norwegian horses . They used them as riding horses as well as pack and draft horses. Historical accounts and finds even prove that fjord horses were transported on Viking ships to serve as indispensable helpers during conquests and in new settlements. Their genes remained virtually unchanged for many centuries as they were bred in the harsh, inhospitable Norwegian landscape under natural conditions.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, targeted breeding began in order to preserve the original type of the Fjord horse. Great importance was attached to the characteristic dun colors, the strong build and the friendly character. Today, the Fjord horse is still an integral part of Norwegian culture and is often used in traditional areas such as agriculture and forestry.

Exterior & interior of the Fjord horse

Exterior - The outer appearance of the Fjord horse

The Norwegian Fjord Horse is characterized by a compact, strong build. With a height of 135 to 150 cm, the Norwegian horse breed is a small horse, but possesses enormous strength and endurance, which makes it a popular weight carrier. Its weight is usually between 400 and 500 kg, making it also suitable for adult riders.

Typical characteristics of the Fjord horse:

• Strongly muscled body, especially on neck, back and croup
• Dry, strong legs with hard hooves that enable a high level of sure-footedness
• Fawn-colored fur, with the light brown dun being the most common - there are also red dun, grey dun, yellow dun and white dun
• Distinctive wild markings: A dark eel line runs across the back, and zebra stripes are often visible on the legs
• Thick, two-tone mane, traditionally cut short so that the dark central stripe stands upright

Interior - nature and character of the Fjord horse

The Norwegian horse is known for its friendly, strong-nerved and reliable character. It has a calm temperament, but always remains willing to work and willing to perform. These characteristics make it an ideal horse for beginners, but also a reliable partner for experienced riders.

Typical characteristics of the Fjord horse:

• Balanced nature, rarely jumpy
• Intelligent and willing to learn, therefore easy to train
• Patient and people-oriented, which is why it is often used as a therapy horse
• Willing to work and persistent, well suited for long rides or work in a team

Social and compatible, can be kept in a herd without any problems

Uses & areas of application of the Fjord horse

The Norwegian Fjord Horse is a versatile and reliable horse that is used for leisure riding as well as in various work areas.

Fjord horse as a leisure and trail riding horse

Thanks to its sure-footedness, stamina and strong nerves, the Fjord horse is ideal for long trail rides and challenging cross-country rides. It copes effortlessly with rough terrain and remains calm and reliable even in difficult situations. If you are looking for a robust and easy-care leisure horse, a Fjord horse is a good choice.

Suitability as a therapy and school horse

Thanks to its calm temperament and human-oriented nature, the Fjord horse is often used as a therapy horse. It is particularly suitable for children, beginners or anxious riders, as it is very patient and has strong nerves. The Fjord horse is also popular in riding schools as it is easy to train and highly reliable.

Fjord horse as a driving and working horse

In the past, the Fjord Horse was used as a workhorse in Norwegian agriculture and forestry. Its strength and stamina still make it a popular driving horse for carriage driving or for use in driving competitions. In some regions it is still used for agricultural work or logging.

Sporting use - dressage, show jumping and western riding

Although the Fjord horse is not considered a classic sport horse, it is used in various disciplines:

• Dressage: Its rideability and obedience make it suitable for light dressage tests. dressage tests.
• Jumping: Small courses or jumps are no problem for the Fjord horse, even if it is not specifically designed for show jumping. jumping bred for show jumping.
• Western riding: Due to its agility and composure, it can also be found in Western disciplines such as trail, ranch riding or horsemanship.

Cultural significance and traditional use

In Norway, the fjord horse has a high cultural significance. It is often used at folk festivals, historical parades and traditional events. It is also presented as a representative Norwegian horse at riding shows and international events.

Fjord horse keeping and care

Like many Norwegian horse breeds, the Fjord Horse is used to being kept close to nature. It gets on well with open stabling and grazing and grazing and does not require elaborate feeding. A species-appropriate diet consists of:

Type of housing: Open stable or stalls?

The Fjord horse feels most comfortable in an open stable or on pasture with access to protection from the weather. It needs a lot of exercise and social contact, which is why keeping it in a mixed herd is ideal. Stabling is possible, but should be combined with daily grazing or sufficient exercise so that the horse does not suffer from lack of exercise.

Feeding: What does a Fjord horse eat?

The Fjord horse is naturally frugal and requires a high-fiber, low-energy diet. It is important to species-appropriate dietto avoid obesity, as it utilizes nutrients very efficiently. The basic diet consists of:

• Hay or silage as the main feed, adapted to the energy requirement
• Mineral feedto avoid deficiencies
• Little or no concentrated feed, as Fjord horses are light feeders

In summer, grazing with controlled access to fresh grass is often sufficient, as feed that is too rich in nutrients can quickly lead to obesity or metabolic problems.

📖 Reading tip : Horse feeding - How to feed your horse properly! Find out which nutrients your horse needs, how to adapt the feed to its needs and which common mistakes you should avoid.

Coat care and mane styling

The Fjord horse's coat is dense and protects it well from the cold. In summer there can be a lot of shedding, which is why regular brushing helps to remove loose hair and promote healthy skin.

A striking feature of the Fjord horse is its two-tone mane, which is traditionally kept in a half-moon cut so that the dark central stripe stands upright. However, shortening it is a matter of taste and not a must.

Exercise and employment

Fjord horses are very motivated and intelligent, which is why they need a variety of activities. In addition to regular rides and work under the saddle, the following are also suitable ground work, lunging or carriage ridesto keep them mentally and physically active.

Hereditary diseases in the Norwegian Fjord Horse

The Fjord horse is considered to be one of the healthiest and most robust horse breeds with a very low susceptibility to genetic diseases. Thanks to natural breeding, the Fjord horse has been kept largely free of serious hereditary diseases for centuries. Nevertheless, there are some genetic abnormalities that should be taken into account when breeding:

Myotonia (hereditary disease of the muscles)

A very rare hereditary disease that can occur in the Fjord horse is myotonia. This is a neuromuscular disorder that leads to delayed muscle reactions. Affected foals show muscle stiffness, trembling or difficulty moving. However, this disorder is extremely rare, as it has been almost completely eliminated through targeted breeding selection.

Atresia Ani (malformation of the intestine in foals)

Occasionally, a congenital malformation of the anus, known as atresia ani, has been observed in breeding. The anus is not fully formed, which is fatal for the foal without surgical intervention. Fortunately, this anomaly only occurs in very rare cases.

Immunodeficiency and growth disorders

As with many other horse breeds, foals with congenital immune deficiencies or growth disorders can also occur in the Fjord Horse . However, this is not usually a breed-specific problem, but depends on individual breeding lines or external factors such as pregnancy conditions.

Tendency to metabolic diseases

Although the Fjord horse is not a classic risk breed for metabolic diseases, it is prone to obesity due to its efficient feed conversion. This can lead to diseases such as:

• Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
• Laminitis
• Insulin resistance

These problems can be easily avoided by providing appropriate feed and sufficient exercise.

Breeding the Fjord Horse

The breeding of the Fjord horse follows strict guidelines in order to preserve the original characteristics such as compact build, characteristic dun colors and good character.

Breeding history & goals

Since the opening of the official studbook in Norway (1941), care has been taken to ensure that only horses with the typical wild markings (eel line, zebra stripes) and dun colors are admitted.
The main objectives are

• Health & longevity
• Compact, strong physique
• Friendly, strong nerves
• Versatility for riding, driving and work

Important breeding areas & associations

• Norway: Strictest selection by the Norges Fjordhestlag
• Germany: Monitoring by IG Fjordpferd e.V.
• Further breedings in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, USA & Canada

Breeding approval & licensing

Only horses with correct conformation, good gaits and breed-typical characteristics are approved for breeding. At the licensing, attention is paid to conformation, movement and character.

Foal rearing

Fjord horse foals usually grow up close to nature in the herd, where they learn social behavior at an early age. A healthy upbringing with plenty of exercise is crucial for their development.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Fjord Horse

What is the difference between a Fjord horse and a Norwegian?

There is none - the Fjord Horse is often referred to as the Norwegian Horse or Norwegian Fjord Horse. The name comes from its origin in the Norwegian fjords.

Is a Fjord horse suitable for beginners?

Yes, thanks to its calm temperament, strong nerves and friendly nature, it is an ideal horse for beginners, children and those returning to riding.

How much weight can a Fjord horse carry?

Thanks to its strong build and stable legs, a Fjord horse can easily carry up to 90 kg, in some cases even 100 kg and more.

How old does a Fjord horse get?

Life expectancy is around 25-30 years, some Fjord horses even live to be over 30 years old.

What are the colors of the Fjord Horse?

All Fjord horses are dun, the most common color variations are:

• Light brown dun (most common color)
• Red dun
• Gray swallow
• Yellow dun
• White dun (rarest variant)

How much does a Fjord horse cost?

The price of a Fjord horse varies according to age, training and pedigree:

• Foal: approx. 3,000-5,000 €
• Young horse without training: approx. € 5,000-7,000
• Trained Fjord horse: approx. 7.000-10.000 €

Is the Fjord horse a cold blood or a warmblood?

The Fjord horse is a robust horse and is neither a pure cold blood nor a warmblood, but a small horse with a strong build.

Can a Fjord horse jump?

Yes, but it is not a typical show jumper. Small courses or obstacles are no problem, but there are more suitable breeds for higher show jumping.

Is the Fjord horse a good weight carrier?

Yes, it is one of the strong small horses and can also carry heavy riders thanks to its stable build and strong legs.

Are there any other Norwegian horse breeds apart from the Fjord Horse?

Yes, in addition to the Fjord Horse:

• Døle horse - a strong cold-blooded horse, often used as a draught and driving horse
• Nordland horse (Nordlandshest/Lyngshest) - a small, agile representative with similar robustness to the Fjord horse

These Norwegian horse breeds share many characteristics with the Fjord Horse, including resilience, versatility and an even temperament.