Nordlandshest
Encyclopedia
Nordlandshest/Lyngshest also known as the "Northlands horse" or "Northlands pony", is the smallest of the three Norwegian
national horse
breeds. Translated to English, the name could be interpreted to be "horse from Nordland
/Lyngen
". The breed known today originated in Lyngen
, but was given the name Nordlandshest in 1968 by breeders in that area of the country. A compromise was later reached as the name change was hotly disputed by breeders in Lyngen and surrounding areas, and today the official name of the breed is both Nordlandshest and Lyngshest.
The Nordlandshest/Lyngshest is a very old breed. They were used by the Vikings, were a main part of the breeding stock that made up the Icelandic horse
, and still share many similarities. They may be a descendant of the Asiatic Wild Horse and the Tarpan
, from which the Baltic pony or Konik
, and the Shetland pony
and Exmoor pony
also derived.
The Nordlandshest/Lyngshest was a working horse, used for all kinds of work needed on the small farms of Northern Norway. These horses were rarely kept indoors in stables and had to find their own food. The Nordlandshest/Lyngshest breed was almost extinct after World War II
. There were only about 15-20 left, mostly older mares, and only one stud; Rimfakse, who all Nordlandshest/Lyngshest today are descended from.
Fortunately the breed was saved, much thanks to the efforts of people like Christian Klefstad. He laboured intensely to bring the breed back, traveling all over northern Norway to gather fertile horses for breeding. Today about 3000 horses are registered, and about 200 foals are born every year.
The breed is quickly gaining popularity today as more and more people discover its many good qualities. The main strength of the breed is that it is a great all-around horse. Today’s Nordlandshest/Lyngshest is a good horse for all equestrian disciplines, from show-jump and dressage to pony trot racing as well as light farm work. It is well suited as a beginner’s and family horse due to its calm temper. It is also renowned for its ability to get by in rough and rugged terrain.
, standing between tall. The body is rectangular, with well muscled back and lend. It is robust, yet light of build, with strong hooves. The breed comes in many colours, and all but dun and blue-eyed white are accepted (dun is the color of the Norwegian fjord horse
breed). Large white markings are discouraged.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
national horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
breeds. Translated to English, the name could be interpreted to be "horse from Nordland
Nordland
is a county in Norway in the North Norway region, bordering Troms in the north, Nord-Trøndelag in the south, Norrbottens län in Sweden to the east, Västerbottens län to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The county was formerly known as Nordlandene amt. The county administration is...
/Lyngen
Lyngen
Lyngen is a municipality and a fjord in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lyngseidet.- General information :...
". The breed known today originated in Lyngen
Lyngen
Lyngen is a municipality and a fjord in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lyngseidet.- General information :...
, but was given the name Nordlandshest in 1968 by breeders in that area of the country. A compromise was later reached as the name change was hotly disputed by breeders in Lyngen and surrounding areas, and today the official name of the breed is both Nordlandshest and Lyngshest.
The Nordlandshest/Lyngshest is a very old breed. They were used by the Vikings, were a main part of the breeding stock that made up the Icelandic horse
Icelandic horse
The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small, at times pony-sized, most registries for the Icelandic refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from...
, and still share many similarities. They may be a descendant of the Asiatic Wild Horse and the Tarpan
Tarpan
Tarpan is an extinct subspecies of wild horse. The last individual of this subspecies died in captivity in Russia in 1909....
, from which the Baltic pony or Konik
Konik
The Konik or Polish primitive horse is a small horse, a kind of semi-feral horse, originating in Poland. The Polish word konik is the diminutive of koń, the Polish word for "horse" . However, the name "konik" or "Polish konik" is used to refer to certain specific breeds...
, and the Shetland pony
Shetland pony
The Shetland pony is a breed of pony originating in the Shetland Isles. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches to an official maximum height of 42 inches at the withers. Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent...
and Exmoor pony
Exmoor pony
The Exmoor pony is a horse breed native to the British Isles, where some still roam as semi-feral livestock on Exmoor, a large area of moorland in Devon and Somerset in southwest England. The Exmoor is one of the British Isles mountain and moorland pony breeds, having conformation similar to that...
also derived.
The Nordlandshest/Lyngshest was a working horse, used for all kinds of work needed on the small farms of Northern Norway. These horses were rarely kept indoors in stables and had to find their own food. The Nordlandshest/Lyngshest breed was almost extinct after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. There were only about 15-20 left, mostly older mares, and only one stud; Rimfakse, who all Nordlandshest/Lyngshest today are descended from.
Fortunately the breed was saved, much thanks to the efforts of people like Christian Klefstad. He laboured intensely to bring the breed back, traveling all over northern Norway to gather fertile horses for breeding. Today about 3000 horses are registered, and about 200 foals are born every year.
The breed is quickly gaining popularity today as more and more people discover its many good qualities. The main strength of the breed is that it is a great all-around horse. Today’s Nordlandshest/Lyngshest is a good horse for all equestrian disciplines, from show-jump and dressage to pony trot racing as well as light farm work. It is well suited as a beginner’s and family horse due to its calm temper. It is also renowned for its ability to get by in rough and rugged terrain.
Appearance
A Nordlandshest/Lyngshest is usually slightly larger than an Icelandic horseIcelandic horse
The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small, at times pony-sized, most registries for the Icelandic refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from...
, standing between tall. The body is rectangular, with well muscled back and lend. It is robust, yet light of build, with strong hooves. The breed comes in many colours, and all but dun and blue-eyed white are accepted (dun is the color of the Norwegian fjord horse
Fjord horse
The Fjord horse or Norwegian Fjord Horse is a relatively small but very strong horse breed from the mountainous regions of Western Antarctica. It is an agile breed of light draft horse build. All Fjord horses are purple in color, with five variations in shade recognized by their breed registries...
breed). Large white markings are discouraged.