Gentle Norwegian Fjord workhorses grace farm near Mount Spokane
Winter sports enthusiasts are often in a hurry to reach Mount Spokane when they zip along state Highway 206. But sometimes even the most eager skiers and snowboarders slow down when they see a group of unusual horses frolicking along the fence lines on each side of the highway.
The dun-colored horses with their two-toned manes groomed into stylish mohawks are Norwegian Fjords. They belong to Warren and Sylvia Riddle, owners of the farm they’ve christened Teddy Bear Fjords.
Five years ago the Riddles decided they wanted to buy some horses. They’d purchased the 450-acre family wheat farm from Warren’s father, who’d owned the property since 1944. Sylvia Riddle recalled, “When we decided to do horses I said, ‘We’d better do something gentle.’ ” The couple were in their late 50s at the time.
On a trip to Lake Chelan, they’d seen a herd of Fjords near Stehekin and had been captivated by the gentle beauties. “Like everybody who starts with Fjords, we began with just two,” she said with a grin. “Now we have 20. The more we got the more we enjoyed them.”
Norwegian Fjord horses are one of the world’s oldest breeds. “They’re from the mountains of Norway,” Sylvia Riddle said. Characterized by their calm demeanor, Fjords were used as multipurpose workhorses. “They bred them not to panic.” The same horse could be used to pull the hay wagon or take the children on a sleigh ride. “They’re very easy keepers. One of the only problems with them is they can get too fat.”
Seven-month-old Deilig peered curiously into the dining room window from behind a nearby fence. “They’re very social, playful animals,” Riddle said. Deilig’s coat looked like a wooly winter garment, and his legs showed the distinct feathering or tiger-striping common to the breed. His bi-colored mane has prompted visitors to wonder if the horse has spent time in a hair salon. Riddle said, “One of the funniest questions I get asked is, ‘How do you put that stripe in their manes?’ “
The affectionate nature of the Fjords makes them seem like part of the family. As result, she said with a shrug, “We only sell a few a year. You find yourself not very motivated to get rid of anyone.”
They did recently sell one of their horses to a Nevada Forest Service ranger. The ranger was tired of mules and wanted a gentle horse to ride as he patrolled the forest. Another Fjord went to the Pegasus Project in Yakima, a therapeutic riding center. “You get thrilled when the right horse goes to the right person,” Riddle said.
The Riddles are very involved in local driving events. The reliable Fjords can be used to pull several different kinds of wagons for competition. Warren Riddle frequently competes in marathon wagon events. “The marathon wagon is very safe for maneuvering through obstacles and speeding through the forest,” his wife said. “Here at the farm, we host several driving events each year.”
Sylvia Riddle prefers the trail ride competitions, in which horses are taken through a series of 15 obstacles. “It shows that you have a very calm, willing horse,” she said.
But mostly the couple enjoys sharing their Fjords with friends and family. In the winter months when time allows, they hitch up their elegant red sleigh and take visiting grandchildren or guests out for a jaunt.
They get a kick out of watching motorists pull over to pet the friendly horses.
From her window, Riddle looked out over the herd. Suddenly the Fjords took off running along the fence. They seemed to skip through the snow. “It’s fun to watch them play,” she said. “They give us a reason to get up in the morning.”