Norwegian Fjords and Elves

This young lady is riding a Norwegian Fjord (pronounced Fy-oord) at a holiday celebration and demonstration in Virginia. 

The Norwegian Fjord is often the height of a pony, but it is still considered a horse (except when they compete in pony classes in a horse show). These horses are very agile and considered a light draft breed.

All the Norwegian Fjords have distinctive coloring, like the one shown here, some variation of dun with a dorsal stripe down their backs. In this photo you can see how the horse's mane, which has been clipped short, or "roached", shows the light color on the outside and the dark stripe straight down the center. Some Norwegian Fjords, like the one pictured below, have vague striped or multicolor markings all over their body.

The Fjord horses are one of the oldest and purest breeds of modern day horses and are believed to have existed in Norway at the end of the last ice age. Their gentle disposition combined with small but sturdy size make them excellent horses for therapeutic riding centers, and are often seen pulling wagons full of tourists in Norway today.