They have an intelligent face with a broad, flat forehead and large, gentle eyes. The neck is short and well-muscled, with more crest than seen in most riding horses. The body is short-coupled, with a large heart girth and excellent spring of ribs. The haunches are well-rounded, with heavy muscling that extends down into the thigh and gaskin. Legs are short but powerful, with a lot of bone.
Feet are good-sized, hooves are black and hard.
The harshness of the Norwegian environment naturally selected for hardiness in these horses. Fjords tend to be very healthy, and fairly impervious to inclement weather. They also grow heavy winter coats, so that they look almost like stuffed animals during the winter months. Natural selection has also created in the Fjord an extremely easy keeper. And, when the grass is grazed down, Fjords will turn to thistles, blackberry leaves, and just about any other non toxic edibles they can find.