Horses: Fjord

Country of Origin 

Norway

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Australian Status

 

 

International Status

At Risk - under 1,000 mares registered - there may be more, however, as Norway, for example, was not counted in the international organisation's registrations.

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Uses

Packing, riding, carting, farm work, games, driving, endurance, pony clubbing, trekking.

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Breed traits

Distinctive pony of solid build, strong neck and the mane trimmed to be strikingly upright, striped down the centre. All are dun with a dorsal stripe that runs from the forelock down the tail. This gives the distinctive stripe in the mane and tail which is white otherwise.

No white leg markings, facial marking restricted to a small star if any; some have a brown facial marking called a Njål mark, after the stallion which first had it. Many have zebra stripes on legs and withers, and black points. The mane is usually trimmed giving the well-known chariot pony profile. This also accentuates the white outer guard hairs and black centre dorsal stripe of the mane, which has a striking effect. If not thus trimmed, the thick mane falls naturally over the neck, to keep it warm. The tail also has the distinct white guard hairs and black centre stripe (the stripe is dark gold in yellow duns and a chestnut shade in red duns). Some Fjords have a mealy muzzle and lighter hairs around the eyes due to having the pangere gene. 

Five shades of dun are recognised: brown dun, white dun, red dun, yellow dun, grey dun. There are no yellow or red duns in Australia.

Other characteristics:

• Height not exceeding 14.2hh and rarely under 13 hands.
• Well muscled shortish neck.
• Medium to small ears
• Strong head with a wide forehead and large, dark, kind eyes. good size head as horses from a  cold climate must have a certain length of nose, so air is warmed before reaching their lungs.
• A good temperament and very willing worker.
• Powerful.
• Withers smoothly run into back/neck, not being pronounced.
• Good bone, strong muscular body, full quarters.

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History

The horse of the Vikings, these sturdy workhorses are originally from Norway, Fjords are now bred in several countries. An international register keeps the breed consistent, with sound principles strictly adhered to. Fjords have been carefully bred in Norway for at least 2,000 years, from evidence in Viking excavations. They went with Vikings to nearby countries such as Scotland, and with another Norwegian breed, the Nordlandhest (critical) is thought to be the progenitor of the Shetland Pony and Iceland Pony. Horses probably arrived in Norway about 4,000 years ago.

History in Australia

Arrived in 1986.

There was however an earlier importation, Mr Legh of Paradise Downs, Blackall, Queensland, bought a cream stallion and 2 mares, one skewbald and one grey, in Norway in 1911 that were shipped out for his station. The grey mare foaled on arrival, she and foal were sold on to N.Z. Note 'cream/creamy' were terms for dun, buckskin and palomino in those times in Australia. It is possible the mares were not what today are called Fjord ponies, although from Norway.

There are at least 7 studs in Australia.

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Breed Organisation

The Australian Pony Stud Book Society. https://apsb.asn.au/

International governing body - Fjord Horse International http://www.fjordhorseinternational.org/FjHI/

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Australian Population

2020: 71 breeding aged mares, with 84 mares in total and 11 fillies. 10 breeding stallions and 79 geldings along with 8 colts - possible future stallions or geldings. Many thanks to Heidi Schmitter for supplying us with the necessary information to gain the current numbers.

2025: Mares 98 ; Stallions 10

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Additional Notes

Foal chart for the past decade https://drive.google.com/file/d/140bB1MwhzdCrYqvgBHQ-17PURB5orPJT/view?usp=sharing

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Photo credit

Tambo River Lottie. Grey dun, breed and owned by Tambo River Fjords in Omeo Vic. Kindly supplied by Heidi Schmitter.
 

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Page by Janet Lane
(population updated 12/05/2020 by A.Y.)
Updated January 2026

 

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