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Meet the Norwegian Fjord Horse

Norway's national horse

We were born here in Fjord Norway, in the middle of high mountains and deep fjords.

And that is how we got our name.

We are one of the oldest horse breeds in the world and one of only three breeds that have their origins in Norway.

And we have been trotting around in the mountain hillsides for hundreds of years (without losing our balance)!

We are quite small, but strong enough to carry a grown man.

We are both sharp-witted and mild-tempered, which makes us calm and reliable – and popular with young and old riders alike.

And did you know that we are also used for therapeutic riding?

We can pull our fair share of heavy loads and carriages, which in former times made us the ideal workhorse for mountain farms.

And we are easy to recognise. Just look at our cool hairstyle!

This must be the most punk rock hair in the whole stable, right?

The characteristic black dorsal stripe really stands out when our bristle mane is cut short ...

We are also easy to spot thanks to our dun-coloured coat and the dark markings on our legs.

Some of us even sport zebra stripes on our knees and hocks!

Our steady gait will carry you safely through any riding adventure.

Despite our unique qualities, our species is endangered. There are only around 5,500 of us left in Norway.

There are just not enough foals being born each year.

You will find fjord horses in countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, but Norway oversees our preservation breeding.

The yearly stallion show in Nordfjordeid is a popular attraction. Once there, you can drop by the Norwegian Fjord Horse Centre as well.

Even though we originate in Nordfjord in Fjord Norway, you can come to meet us in several places around the country.

Like in Langedrag Nature Park, which houses a friendly herd of us and runs a breeding program for our conservation. Once there, you can also go trail riding or even try out vaulting – gymnastics on horseback!

Come join us for a ride!

Read more about horseback riding and see our list of riding tours in Norway.

Horse riding in Norway

From mountain trails to sleigh rides through snow-covered forests – find the perfect adventure.

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See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.

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