Norwegian
Fjord
History
The
Norwegian Fjord Horse is one of the world's oldest and
purest breeds of horse. It bears a striking resemblance
to the horses painted on cave walls by ice age artists
some 30,000 years ago and is believed to have migrated
to Norway over 4,000 years ago. They were believed to have
been first domesticated around 2000 B. C. Archaeological
excavations at Viking burial sites indicate that the Fjord
horse has been selectively bred for at least 2,000 years.
The
origin of the breed is uncertain, but it is probably related
to the primitive wild horses of Asia, the Przewalski. The
Fjord Horse is one of very few breeds to retain the original
primitive character and color. Earlier names for the Fjord
horse have been the Vestlandshest (West Country horse)
or the Nordfjordhest (Northfjordhorse) which indicates
the breed's geographical connection with Norway. The Vikings
used the Fjord horse as their primary war mount. Therefore,
it may be assumed that it affected the breeds indigenous
to other countries, notably the "mountain and moorland" ponies
of Great Britain and the Icelandic Pony.
The
Fjord horse has earned a reputation as a strong, durable
and pleasant-natured pony. Throughout history is has been
used by the farmers of Norway as a general-purpose pony
to pull loads on their hilly farms. In addition to its
strength, the breed is also noted for its light and smooth
action. The Fjord horse has a thick coat so that it can
endure rough winters with minimal care. The combined qualities
of the breed have led to its exportation to many other
countries in Europe, particularly Denmark, where it has
been widely used for light draft work.
The
first Fjordhorse Studbook was published in 1910 and today
boasts a population estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,000.
There is a widespread interest in the breed and a considerable
number of Fjords are bred both in Europe and in the Americas.
The
Fjord horse of today is bred for both riding and driving.
It is capable of performing well in both driving and endurance
classes and can also perform adequately in elementary dressage
and cross country jumping classes. The Fjord horse is used
extensively in riding schools and riding for the handicapped
programs. The tourist industry along the West Country fjords
of Norway has always used the Fjord Horse as an important
means of transportation and as a good representative for
Norwegian culture. In 1994, the Fjord horse along with
the other two native breeds of Norway, safely drove many
winning competitors and celebrities to different venues
at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.
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