Norwegian Fjord The Norwegian Fjord Horse is one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds. It is believed that the original Fjord Horse migrated to Norway and was domesticated over 4,000 years ago. Archeological excavations at Viking burial sites indicate the Fjord Horse has been selectively bred for 2,000 years.
- From THE NORWEGIAN FJORD HORSE BREED STANDARD Photo and information courtesy of www.nfhr.com
Norwegian Fjord Conformation
Photo: www.patwolfefjords.com Info: www.nfhr.com
Neck: Should be supple, forming a natural arch, and appear rather heavy but well raised and in proportion to the entire horse. The topline should be longer than the bottom line. Placement of the neck on the shoulder should be smoothly into the withers and chest creating an upward and outward-flexing image, giving the balance and carriage necessary to maintain the look of the Fjord Horse. Throatlatch: Slightly deeper than most other breeds, must be Back: Well muscled and refined sufficiently to allow proper broad, short to moderately flexing at the poll while still long. (Considered providing for normal respiration. moderately long when the back has the same length as the shoulder.) Croup: The shape of the hindquarter may vary and it is important that the back, loins, croup and quarters are in harmony. Loins: Well muscled, with an even transition to the croup. Girth: Deep, with an ample spring of rib to provide circulatory and respiratory capacity.
Head: Medium-sized, with a broad, flat forehead, a straight or slightly dished profile and good definition. Shoulder: Well muscled with good length and angulation. The shoulder and neck should be viewed as a balanced, functional unit. Chest: Wide, demonstrating muscling proportional to gender and body size. Legs: Should be correct and sound with a slightly longer forearm than cannon, well-defined joints, clean cannons, flat bone, and an appearance of overall substance and strength. When the legs are viewed from the side, front, and rear, they should be parallel and nearly vertical from the ground except for the angulation of the pasterns.
Notes
Norwegian Fjords
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1 is my easy top today as he blends the most harmoniously from neck to back to croup. He attaches a well laid back shoulder to a deeper chest which carries heavier muscling. He draws a straighter, stronger leg out of the shoulders and hind quarters, being set down lower on his knees and hocks. He also is more attractive about the head. 2 cannot match the quality of 1 as he is coarser made about the head and neck, is longer and weaker across his top and stands down on frail, poorly made legs as he is buck kneed.
HELPFUL HINT It is difficult to judge the conformation of breeds when all the horses are the same color, and have the same markings. Look closely at the parts and then step back to look at the horse in his entirety. After awhile you will see the conformational differences.
Norwegian Fjord Geldings Photos courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/norskhestesenter.starum? fref=photo
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Norwegian Fjord Geldings Photos courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/norskhestesenter.starum?fref=photo
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Norwegian Fjord Geldings Photos courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/norskhestesenter.starum?fref=photo
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Norwegian Fjord Geldings Photos courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/norskhestesenter.starum?fref=photo
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Norwegian Fjord Geldings Photos courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/norskhestesenter.starum?fref=photo
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Norwegian Fjord Geldings
Official Placing Cuts
Placing: 2-1-3-4 Cuts: 4-2-3
2-1-3-4 4-2-3
2,1,3,4 is my preferred alignment of the Norwegian Fjord Geldings. I found an easy top followed by a closer middle pair and an easy bottom. I started the class with the white dun, 2, as he more completely combines the aspects of balance, muscling and structural correctness. 2 connects a stronger and smoother blending neck to a longer, more well laid back shoulder and deeper chest. He is tighter over his top with a longer, more gently sloping croup, creating a deeper hip. In addition, he draws a straighter line from hip to hock to ground and stands on a squarer, firmer knee up front. Finally, he shows deeper lines of definition in his shoulder and forearm. Yes, 1 is longer about the neck with a more pronounced arch, however he is longer down his back and wanting in his hip. Advancing to my middle pair, it is balance that places 1 over 3. 1, more closely resembles 2 in the angle of his shoulder and depth of his heart girth. Furthermore, 1 is broader in his loin and trimmer and longer through his underline in relation to a shorter topline. Additionally, he is more refined about his head being shorter from eye to muzzle with a smaller ear. To his credit, 3 is squarer in his hip but he is coarser made from end to end, and more upright in his shoulder. Settling on my final pair, it is quality that pins 3 over 4. 3, more easily divides into thirds and blends a stronger loin with a squarer hip. The brown dun drapes heavier muscling over his longer shoulder and draws a more well shaped neck out of his wither and chest. I admit 4 is attractive about his head but he is lower tying from his neck to his chest, shallower in his heart girth, longer down his back and pairs a weaker loin with a shorter, steeper croup. Overall, 4 lacks the sturdy build and proportion to place higher today. Thank you.
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