The History

of the

Norwegian Fjord Horse

The modern fjord horse is a product of Norwegian geography and necessity. Only three percent of Norwegian soil is suitable to farm. On the Norwegian west coast where these horses are bred, tall mountains and deep fjords persist and there is even less flat ground. When these animals were used as pre-industrial power, farms were remote and fields were very small. Roads were narrow or non-existent. It was extremely challenging to make a living on this terrain.

Fjord horses were farm power as well as transportation and trusted companions. At times the farm animal was expected to lean into the plow for several hour at a time. They were expected to pull loads up steep hills and climb rocky hill sides like a goat. Pack-saddles were used when the road turned to a trail. If the horse acted up on the steep mountainside they could be fatally injured together with their handler. Often horses along with goats and sheep were loaded on small unstable row boats to cross the cold blue fjord to remote pastures. Horses with poor disposition were not tolerated and naturally culled.

Since there was limited food available fjords developed the ability to survive on small amounts of forage. During the long snowy winters fjord horses could be fitted with snow shoes to pull sleighs through the drifts.

When not in use on the farm the horse was often rented to the tourist industry where it was used to transport British Noblemen in light carts over long distances at a steady pace. When cleaned up the fjord horse made a striking photo with it’s contrasting coat colors, stand up mane, and well proportioned body pictured against the snow capped Norwegian Mountains. Fjord horses have always had great photographic appeal. They draw attention.

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