Breed Spotlight: Norwegian Fjord Horse

In the 1990s, members of a Norwegian Fjord Horse society (the Norges Fjordhestlag) described what the ideal Fjord should be like: “The eyes should be like the mountain lakes on a mid-summer evening, big and bright. A bold bearing of the neck like a lad from the mountains on his way to his beloved. Well-defined withers like the contours of the mountains set against an evening sky. The temperament as lively as a waterfall in spring, and still good-natured.”

Anyone who knows and loves Fjords is sure to agree—they’re extra-special hester (that’s the Norwegian word for horses)!  

Learn more from the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry.

A Fjord Family

Twelve-year-old Afton Mignery got her family started with Fjord horses, and now they can’t stop.

Afton rode her first Fjord when she started taking lessons at age 8. Her mare Nysena was actually one of the first horses she rode! They had such a strong connection that when Nysena came up for sale, one thing led to another, and that’s how the family first became horse owners. 

Afton does all sorts of activities with her Fjord. She shows both English and western, and competes in speed events such as barrels and pole bending. She also trail rides and does trail events and working equitation. The family works cows at a friend’s ranch, and recently started learning archery on horseback.  

Nysena was just the beginning of the family’s Fjords. Afton’s mom, Christine, got jealous of standing on the ground watching Afton have all the fun! Freya joined the herd first (Freya is the Nordic goddess of love), followed by a gelding named Toivo. And Nysena was due to foal in June, which would add one more. 

The family fell in love with the Fjords because of their personalities. They are extremely smart (sometimes too smart, according to Christine, who says theirs have figured out how to unlatch the gate!) and have an inquisitive nature. They also love to hang out with people and are very affectionate. —YR Staff