A small titan the horse fjord

Without being an expert, you can distinguish a fjord horse at first glance. It is a characteristic-looking, fertile, useful and healthy equine with a long life.

The fjord horse is one of the easiest Equidae to recognize in the world, because from its compact and distinctive body to its strong neck, it is noticeable. Also striking is its brand, the cream coat and its mane, usually lighter than the fur.

This breed of horse is considered one of the oldest in terms of relation to the human being. If you want to know more about this fascinating and muscular mammal, we encourage you to read on.

The norwegian fjord horse a horse with history

It is considered the Norwegian fjord horse, one of the oldest and purest breeds. It is estimated that it was domesticated more than 4000 years ago. There is archaeological evidence to suggest it was bred by the Vikings around 1200 BC.

In addition, images of horses recognizable as fjords have been identified on runestones in Norway, showing them as combat stallions. The Vikings used them as war mounts on their travels to Scotland, Iceland and elsewhere. In these lands, the fjord influenced other equine breeds.

Later, the fjord became a farm horse, after his work as a Viking war vehicle. From this successful adaptation, this equine became firm, agile, thrifty and hardworking, qualities that it maintains today.

The fjord horse and its physical features

The body of the fjord horse is compact, possesses a good depth, wide chest and well-developed muscles. The legs are short and powerful, with substantial bones and excellent black feet. The elevation of the Norwegian fjord measures between 1.32 and 1.42 meters and weighs between 400 and 550 kilograms in adulthood.

The head is medium in size and well defined, with a wide, flat forehead and a straight or slightly sloping face. The profile of the head is concave, in which large eyes stand out with a placid look. The ears are small and pointed, always alert.

One of its unique features is that approximately 90% of all horses in the fjord are brown. The other 10% represent red, gray, white or yellow individuals.

Unique feature of the fjord horse

Another unique feature of the fjord horse is its mane. The mane of this horse, in its central part, is dark in tone (usually black), while the outer hair is white.

It is customary to cut the mane of this horse so that the hair is upright. It is also usually cut in the shape of a crescent, to draw attention to the neck, which curves gracefully.

Usually, the outer white hairs are trimmed a little shorter than the darker inner ones. This makes it possible to further show the beauty and uniqueness of the dark stripe. The fjord horse has a thick coat to withstand harsh winters with minimal care. In Alaska, it lives outdoors and endures temperatures of up to -40 ºC.

The modern fjordhorse and its skills

Undoubtedly, the modern Norwegian fjord is a robust and resistant horse. Many specimens of this breed are still very active until the age of 30. They are energetic horses and most like to experience a variety of activities in order to be entertained.

An inactive fjord has an increased risk of developing behavioral problems in the future.

The versatility of this breed allows it to do whatever it takes, from farm work to general driving, including competitive sports and racing.

Many fjords have participated in internationally competitive events, including combined driving and dressage, and perform extremely well. They are incredibly athletic for a draft horse, as they have an ability to jump up to four feet tall.

The fjord horse and its temperament

The best thing about the Norwegian fjord horse is its general intelligence. Undoubtedly, there is a certain charm in this breed that makes it willing to work while maintaining a kind and gentle nature.

For the most part, these horses are reliable and cooperative. So even before reacting most of the fjord race stop and think for a moment to determine the best course of action.

Thus, this tendency makes one think before reacting and which makes the fjord horse one of the best animals for therapeutic uses. They are also good horses for beginner riders who are just learning the equestrian arts.

For all these reasons, the fjord is a gentle, kind, vigorous and fascinating horse. This Equidae is the clear example that sophistication is not a unique characteristic of human beings.

Share on Facebook

Tweet