The Norwegian Fjord horse is one of the world's oldest and purest breeds. It is believed that the Norwegian Fjord is related to the Central Asian wild horse, the Przewalski, which migrated from Asia to Norway over 4,000 years ago. Archaeological excavations at Viking burial sites indicate that the Fjord horse has been selectively bred for at least 2,000 years. To protect and perpetuate the heritage of the Fjords, considered a national treasure in Norway, breeding and certification was placed under the control of the Norwegian government about 1850. The publisher, J.B. Lippencott provides us with the earliest record of the Norwegian Fjord in America. He purchased a colt in 1888 and used him as a carriage horse for himself and as a mount for his children. Warren Delano, uncle of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, imported a stallion and 6 mares in 1906. He has a great desire to create the ideal military horse. Delano hoped the Fjord would provide a khaki colored mount for a khaki covered soldier. Although Fjords are not common in Canada and the U.S., they are becoming more popular as people discover the many attributes of these wonderful, all purpose horses.

The Fjord of today looks much like he did 2,000 years ago. Most are a brown dun color, with about 5% being grey, red dun, or white. These are produced through recessive genes. They stand between 13 and 15 hands and weigh between 900 and 1,400 pounds. Fjords retain the primitive markings of their ancestors including zebra stripes on the legs and a dorsal stripe that runs down the neck (through the mane), back and tail. The mane is trimmed in a characteristic crescent shape to emphasize the graceful curve of the neck. The head is medium sized and well defined with a broad, flat forehead and a straight or slightly dished face. The eyes are large and expressive, ears are small and alert, neck is well muscled and crested, body is short coupled with good depth, large heart girth, and well muscled. The legs are powerful with substantial bone and excellent black feet.

The charming disposition of the Fjord is their most outstanding quality. They love attention. Fjords have a unique affection for people. They tend to bond very strongly with a particular person or family. Some describe their personality as more dog-like than horse-like. They are not easily spooked and keep calm in difficult situations. This calm and willing disposition makes the Fjord an ideal children's horse. They learn fast and have an amazing ability to retain what they have learned. They maintain their training even if inconsistently worked. Their cool temperament and graceful balanced gaits both under saddle and in harness make them the ideal family horse.

Versatility is synonymous with Fjord. They excel in all disciplines connected with the world of equine activities, including dressage, jumping, reining, cutting, packing, both light and heavy harness work, combined driving events, weight pulling, horse logging and farm work. In Norway, where the the snow gets very deep, a Fjord horse was equipped with snowshoes and sent into the woods to walk around trees by voice command, to pack the snow so loggers could go in the next day and cut. Because of their compact stature, they are proportionally stronger than most horses. In Libby, Montana at a Fjord show, a small 900 pound mare pulled 2,200 pounds in a pulling contest, and a team pulled 5,500 pounds. They are also known for their endurance and can work for long periods of time. Out West, you will find them used a s cutting and reining horses on ranches, and they are the preferred horse for packing in the mountains because of their surefootedness and calmness.

Stallions are as tractable as mares or geldings and will work in a hitch alongside either. They are mild mannered, sensible and predictable. Their enduring rugged nature and affection for people have been a treasured characteristic for centuries in Norway.