The Fjord horse (known in Norway as a fjording) is a small breed of horse from the mountainous regions of western Norway. It ranges from 137 cm to 147 cm (approximately 13.5 to 14.5 hands) in height and weighs from 400 to 550 kilograms (about 882 to 1210 lb.), which classifies it as a pony according to international rules (though it is always called a horse in Norway). This breed is one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds. It is believed that the ancestors of the Fjord horse migrated to Norway and were domesticated over 4,000 years ago. Archeological excavations at Viking burial sites indicate the Fjord horse has been selectively bred for 2,000 years.
It has a strong neck, good feet, and a compact, muscular body. Despite its small size, it is fully capable of carrying an adult human. It is almost always dun in color, bay dun being the most common; animals that are not dun are usually light to dark grey. It has small brown marks over the eyes and on the checks and thighs. The ears bear dark outlines and tips. There is often some "feathering" on the legs, and occasionally zebra-like dark horizontal stripes. The coat is thin and shiny in summer, but long and furry in winter. The mane is long, thick, and heavy, but is often clipped to between 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) so that it stands up, making grooming easier and accentuating the horse's strong neck and full-length dorsal stripe.
The fjord horse and its ancestors have been used for hundreds of years as farm animals in western Norway. The horse is strong enough for heavy work, such as plowing the fields or pulling timber, yet light and fast enough to be a good riding and driving horse.
Today, the fjord horse is a favourite at Norwegian riding schools, as its generally mild temperament and small size make it suitable for children. It has also been used as a sport horse. Its ability to handle difficult terrain has led to some achievement in show jumping and dressage. They are considered very good driving horses, and are commonly used in everything from competitions to tourist transport in Norway. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
