There is a variety of ideas as to the origin of this breed.
Research indicates that it came into Norway from the east during very early times.
For various reasons it was forced northward where it lived and developed through the centuries, but after World War II the breed was at the door of extinction. It is of the northern type and is similar to the Lofoten. Because of varied environmental conditions and scattered, locally centered breeding districts in Norway, this pony was given several local names. The breed developed differently in different districts through crossing with other breeds. Some believe that the Nordland is the result of a mixture of two different types of the same race one type from Lyngen in northern Troms and one from Norland, based on individuals from the district of Lofoten.