| Fjordhorse history The Fjordhorse is one of Norway’s three native breeds. The origin of the breed is uncertain, but it is probably related to the Central Asian Feral Horse. The Fjordhorse is one of the very few breeds to retain the original primitive character and color. An earlier name for the Fjord has been the Vestlandshest (WestCountry Horse) or the Nordfjordhest (Northfjordhorse) which indicates the breeds’ geographical connection with Norway. The breeding of the Fjordhorse was rather casual before the first real studbook was published in 1910. Previous to 1910,information about fjord owners and their colors was recorded, but name or numbers were not included in this information. The first stallion with a number was Rosendalsblakken 1. He was born in 1857 at Rosendal. This owner was Hoff Rosenkrone and he got second prize in a show in Voss in 1865. The Fjord was considered a pure breed from at least 1846. The first famous Fjordhorse was Rosendalsborken8. He was born in 1863 and while he was still a foal, lightening killed his mother. In 1864 Hoff Rosenkrone bought Rosendalsborken to the show in Voss in 1865 and he got first prize at that show. He also got first prize in Voss in 1868 and in Strvanger in 1882. When he was twenty years old, he was shown at an International Agricultural show in Hamburg in 1883. He endured the boat trip to Hamburg well, in spite of a full storm that plagued the journey. When Rosendalsborken reached the dock in Hamburg, he danced all the way to the quarantine. There he met an enormous English horse named Goliat. Rosendalsborken paid no attention to Goliant’s size and attacked him with a scream. Poor Goliant gave up at once. Furthermore, Rosendalsborken impressed everyone at the show. He died in 1889 at twenty-five years of age. The Fjordhorse was always a small but strong horse. At the end of the eighteenth century, the state agronomist, Lindeqvist, decided the Fjord was not good enough for farming. He wanted a stronger and heavier horse. At this time, Norway was united with Sweden, and most state employees were Swedish. There was no interest in keeping the Fjordhorse as a pure breed. So, in 1860 Lindeqvist acquired four Dole stallions (a heavier Norwegian breed) – Napoleon Soleglad, Harald Viking, Bataiden and Brage. At this time, most farmers had only mares and when they wanted the services of a stallion, they went to the state stallion. And now the state stallion was a Dol, not a Fjord. This had a pleasing effect for the agricultural community, but it almost had a fatal effect on the Fjord breed. This crossbreeding spread all over the west, but when it reached Nordfjord and Sunnmore, it met resistance. The farmers who loved the Fjordhorse protested, but the stallion Rimfakse was purchased anyway in 1892. Rimfakse was a beautiful horse. He was all Fjord on the dam’s side, but his sire descended from Harald Viking, one of the Dolehorses Lindeqvust bought in 1860. He had very good offspring. At this time, the stallion was released in the rural community and the farmers used him so extensively, there were almost no pure breed Fjords left. In the second and third lineage, Rimfakse’s weakness began to show. Those offspring became hard to handle and their colors were not attractive. The dissatisfied farmers held a meeting in Innvik in 1907 and 400 people attended. The decided to eradicate all traces of Rimfakse in the Fjordhorse. Studbooks were thoroughly read and at last they were able to find a pure Fjord stallion and several mares. Njaal 166 is now considered the sire of all living Fjords. It was a difficult task and the dangers of inbreeding were encountered, but the Fjord breed was rescued at the last moment. Versatility is the key when describing the Fjordhorse. Traditionally, the Fjord has been used on the farm, hauling timber as well as being used as a packhorse. His surefootedness and adaptability are a great advantage in the rugged country of the West. Many farmers hired out their horses to tourists as well as driving the local priest or doctor to their duties around the parish. The tourist industry along the West Country Fjords of Norway has always used the Fjordhorse as an important means of transport and as a good representative for Norwegian culture. Through the years, the Fjordhorse has carried many tourists back and forth from waterfall and glacier. In later years, the Fjord became popular as a leisure and family horse. The Fjord of today is bred for both riding and driving and is capable of performing well in driving and endurance riding and can also perform adequately in elementary dressage and cross-country jumping classes. The Fjord is used extensively in riding schools and with the disabled. Source: FjordHorse International |
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