The Norwegian Fjord Horse is one of the world 

oldest and purest breeds. It is believed that the ancestors of the modern

Fjord horse migrated to Norway and were domesticated over 4,000 years

ago. In the 1840’s Norway began a government regulated breeding

program and published the first studbook in 1910. The first Fjord Horses

arrived in North America in 1888, and a century later the Norwegian Fjord

Horse Registry was established in 1983 to maintain the genetic purity of

the breed. Only purebred Norwegian Fjord Horses that have proven

Norwegian Fjord Horse parentage can be registered. DNA typing is

required for all fjords presented for registration to validate parentage.

There are over 8,000 Norwegian Fjord Horses registered with the national

registry today; with the greatest number of registered fjords residing in

Wisconsin, Washington and Minnesota.

Fjords come in different shapes and sizes from sport horse to draft

and everything in between. The breed standard height for a fjord is

between 13.2 and 14.2 hands with weights between 800 and 1,100

pounds.

The mane is clipped in a distinctive crescent shape so that it stands up

straight and emphasizes the dorsal stripe that runs from forelock to tail. All

Fjord horses are Dun in color and with dark points on their ears, heads,

knees and forelegs. 90% of all Fjords are brown dun, followed by grey,

red, white, and more rare yellow dun and kvit (kah-vit).

The Norwegian Fjord Horse is identifiable with distinctive markings

such as dark tipped ears, primitive markings above their eyes, stripes on

their knees often resembling zebra striping, light colored muzzles, and the

distinguished dorsal stripe running from their forelocks along their backs

and into their tails. The foundation stallion Njal (Nahl) left his genetic mark

on modern day fjords- this mark of Njal (Nahl) presents as a dark spot or

smudge on the cheek and above the fjord’s expressive eye.

The good-natured temperament of the fjord lends itself to the

incredible versatility of the Norwegian Fjord Horse. These eager-to-please

ponies with a big heart excel in all types of equine disciplines such as

pleasure and combined driving, draft hitches, ridden and driven dressage,

reining, working equitation, western, hunt seat, jumping, vaulting,

therapeutic riding, and even circus performances. Ages ago Fjord Horses

carried Vikings into battles and across rough terrain on their journeys

home. The breed’s courage and stamina holds strong today as Fjord

Horses excel in long distance events, logging, and farming.