Horse Breeder Ranks Norwegian Fjords Best

Horse Breeder Ranks Norwegian Fjords Best AG WORLD Ag World 10-2-20 "They're friendly enough to keep as pets but so versatile you can use them for almost any chore," says Bev Tarmina, Newport, Wash., one of only a few U.S. breeders of Norwegian Fjord horses, a thick-necked Scandinavian breed with a long history that can be traced back more than 4,000 years in Norway. The dun-colored, powerful horse attracts lots of attention at shows because judges often don't know what they're looking at. Tarmina bought her first Fjords in 1981 and now runs 14 of them on her, and her husband David's "Circle T Fjord" ranch. Fjords stand an average of 14 to 15 hands tall. Their powerful build and gentle disposition make them good workhorses. "They're used as draft and pack horses but they also make a good riding horse. Because of their build they're extremely comfortable riding, says Tarmina. Only 300 to 400 Fjords exist in the U.S., many of them owned by a couple of big breeders located in IIlinois and Colorado. Tarmina says Fjords are hardy, fertile, nearly disease-free, easy to train, people-oriented, versatile and easy to keep. They also don't eat much ù 2 bales of hay per day for her 11 adult animals ù and they relish the cold weather, developing thick shaggy coats. Coloring on the horses is distinctive but their enormously thick neck attracts the most attention. Tarmina says all her Fjords are for sale ranging from $2,500 for a young animal to $8,000 for a brood mare. Stallions sell for $10,000 to $15,000. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bev Tarmina, P.O. Box 1140, Newport, Wash. 99156 (ph 509 447-5327).

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