What
has stripes on its legs and an upright mane like a zebra? No, it’s not
a zorse or zony or any kind of zebra hybrid...it’s not an exotic animal
at all and there are certainly NO permits required to own one! This is, in fact,
one of the world’s oldest and purest domestic equines: this is the Norwegian
Fjord Horse. Migrating into Norway over 4000 years ago, the Fjord Horse had
been selectively bred for at least 2000 years as indicated by archeological
evidence found at Viking burial sites.Fjord Horses of today retain many of the physical characteristics of their primitive ancestors from Asia, the Przewalski or Mongolian Wild Horse, from which they are believed to be descended. Yet, unlike their wild cousins, the extremely gentle disposition of the Fjord Horse is its most outstanding quality. Their cool temperament and overall versatility, both under saddle and in harness, make them the ideal family horse. They can be used as schooling horses for the young, inexperienced, or handicapped rider; yet, are large and powerful enough to suit the needs of any adult rider, driver, or small-scale farmer.
The Norwegian Fjord Horse comes in a variety of sizes, from the lighter type used for saddle, carriage, or pleasure to the heavier draft type used for plowing, discing, skidding, and other farm work. Fjords have been shown to excel in many disciplines of riding including Western, English, Dressage, and Combined Driving. They are also becoming ever more popular as pack animals for treks into mountainous terrain. Their feed efficiency, sure-footedness, and thick winter hair coats passed on through the genes of their ancestors who adapted to living for centuries in Norway, of course.
If you are looking for a matched pair of horses to drive as a team, look no further! Every Fjord Horse exhibits the “wild” dun color of the ancestral horse as well as primitive markings which include zebra stripes on the legs and a dorsal stripe that runs from the forelock down the neck and back and into the tail. Transverse stripes may also be seen over the withers. In fact, 90% of all Fjord Horses are brown dun in color. The other 10% are either red dun, gray, pale dun, gold or yellow dun.
One of the most unique characteristic of the Fjord Horse is their upright mane. The dorsal stripe runs through the center hair of the mane and is dark, usually black, while the outer fringe hair is cream or white. The mane naturally grows upright, but is kept trimmed to the length of several inches to ensure that it will always stand erect (even when soaking wet!). The mane is trimmed in a characteristic crescent shape to emphasize the curve of the neck. The white outer hair is then trimmed slightly shorter than the dark inner hair to display the dramatic dark stripe down the center.
Above all, Norwegian Fjord
Horses maintain the hardiness and vigor of their wild ancestors with hardness
of hoof, strength of bone, and efficiency of feed conversion. Fjords average
between 13 and 15 hands and weigh between 900 and 1,500 pounds depending on
their body type. Regardless, these horses are extremely “easy keepers”,
maintaining excellent body condition on good pasture alone. They are so efficient;
it is often difficult to keep the weight OFF from these horses! The Fjord Horse
grows a thick, protective winter hair coat and can endure cold climates with
minimal care. Fair weather friends fear not! This highly adaptable horse handles
hot weather with equal ease. So many positive aspects of the Norwegian Fjord
Horse make them an excellent choice, whether for the first time horse owner
or experience equestrians looking for something different. Though their unique
and exotic looks are what draw one’s attention to begin with, it’s
their sweet personalities and willing dispositions that will make you fall in
love with this breed!