Gotland and Fjord Ponies

The Gotland Pony(also known as the Skogsruss) is originally from Sweden and is the most ancient of the Scandinavian breeds. Its original habitat was Gotland, an island off the Swedish coast, where it has likely existed since the Stone Age. The Fjord, sometimes called the Westland (Vestfjord), is indigenous to Norway, but is found in variant types throughout Scandinavia and beyond. It is bred principally in Norway, where a strict breeding policy has been practiced since the beginning of the 20th century.

The Gotland Pony
The Gotland resembles the Hucul and Konik of Poland and like them is believed to have descended from the Tarpan Crosses to eastern blood were made in the 19th century and possibly later, and for some years the ponies have been bred selectively.

The stallions that had the greatest influence on the breed were Olle, a Syrian Arab/Gotland cross who introduced the yellow dun coat colour, and the Arab, Khedivan, who is responsible for the grey coloration. At one time the ponies were semi-wild, and lived on Gotland and in the forest of Lojsta on the Swedish mainland. Today they are bred all over Sweden and throughout Scandinavia, as well as on Gotland.

The Gotland was once used for general farm work, but it is now kept principally as a riding pony; it is said to excel at jumping and in trotting races. The walk and trot are fast, but the gallop is labored and restricted.

These ponies have a rather light, narrow build, with sloping quarters and a low-set tail. In general, the hind legs are poorly made, but the feet are good and hard. There is no doubting the breed's endurance and hardy constitution. The Gotland stands at 1.22-1.27 in (12-12.2 hh), and there is a variety of coat colors including brown, dun, black, chestnut, grey, and some palomino.

THE FJORD PONY
Of all the modern equine breeds the Fjord bears the most striking resemblance to the Asiatic Wild Horse of the Ice Age. It retains much of its ancestor's primitive vigour, as well as the uniform dun coat colour. The latter is accompanied by an eel stripe running from the forelock to the tip of the tail, and sometimes by zebra bars on the legs. The mane and tail are usually lighter in colour, and can be almost silver.

A notable feature is the coarse, erect mane, which is characteristic of primitive equines. Were it left alone the mane would grow as long as that of any other breed, but by ancient tradition it is hogged (clipped) so that the black hairs at the centre stand above the rest. It is cut in a crescent shape from poll to withers, giving a pronounced crest to the neck. Horses with their manes hogged in this way appear on the runestone carvings of t Vikings, which may still be seen in Norwa. The Fjord was the Viking horse, and was used in the popular sport of horse-fighting when horses were pitted against each othe and sometimes fought to the death.

The Highland Pony resembles the Fjord in both conformation and coloring. This is a result of the close connection between Scandinavia and the Western Isles of Scotland. The first Norse raiders to reach the Western Isles came from Hordaland in Norway, the chief habitat o the Fjord. As late as 1890, two Norwegian stallions were brought to the Hebrides to upgrade the stock there, and the incidence of ponies with silver manes and tails is often attributed to their influence.

The modern Fjord of the best type stands at 1.32-1.42 m (13-14 hh). It is compact and strongly muscled and has short limbs with plenty of bone. The head is wide, with small ears, and is of pony type. Despite the overall similarity to the Asia Wild Horse, there is no sign of the primitive, convex profile in modern stock. In Norway the Fjord is used for ploughing, as a pack, pony, in harness, and under saddle. It is sound and hard and can operate on a modest diet. Fjords have been successful in European driving competitions, and their stamina and courage are an asset in long-distance riding