History With Draft Horses

Draft horses have been a silent, yet integral part of Stoney Hill for several decades. For many years, we were home to a handful of Suffolk Punch horses who participated in a wide array events including 4 and 6 horse hitches, plowing events, threshing demonstrations and obstacle courses in addition to being used for light work at home. More recently, we have transitioned into the smaller draft breed known as the Norwegian Fjord Horse.

 

Rose and Daisy mowing pasture 2018

 

Thea and Audun 2022

 

Our newly established breeding program with the stately Norwegian Fjord will continue to focus on producing well balanced, close coupled draft-type horses that are mentally suitable for farm work and yet athletic enough to perform well in other disciplines. As with all we do here at Stoney Hill, our goal is to produce a small number of quality animals per year, and the Fjords are no exception. Just as our Suffolk Punch, the Norwegian Fjord foals are raised with a solid foundation of basic handling skills that will follow them to their new homes!

Mission and Management Practices

Our simple mission statement, ‘Restoring All Things’ has come from a heart to see every aspect of life function in the manner it was created. Management of our small Fjord herd is no exception. It is rare to find small dairies such as ours who practice intensive rotational grazing, but even more rare is to find horses as an integral part of this regenerative agriculture picture.

By rotationally grazing the horses behind the cows, we are able to manage sugar and caloric intake, which are important factors in preventing health issues such as laminitis episodes and metabolic disorders. Proper body condition also has a positive impact on reproductive health. Longevity, and specifically reproductive longevity is one of main reasons we selected Audun and Thea as the foundation of our herd. Audun’s sire was 23 and his dam was 20 years old when he was born, while Thea’s sire and dam were in their mid and late teens. We are hopeful that our breeding program will continue to pass along these often overlooked traits of longevity and reproductive longevity.

In the winter months, our horses are maintained on grass hay with a mineral supplement and run-in shed for shelter. And since we believe that all animals deserve to live in social structure as they would in nature, you will find our stallion grazing alongside mares/foals until weaning.

Having been in the veterinary field for nearly 30 years, I have had to care for far too many horses who were receiving treatment for tetanus or WNV infections due to lack of vaccination. This is why, you will find integrated with our more natural approach to animal management, some traditional medical practices including:

  • 6-way vaccines in spring

  • deworming as indicated

  • teeth checked/floated in fall

  • foot trims done when needed

Registered Norwegian Fjord Horses

Stallion: 1dr Audun

  • Brown Dun, Color Genotype: EE AA NN

  • Born: June 16, 2019

  • First Place 2 yr. old and Reserve Champion Stallion, Heritage Livestock Canada (Virtual Show) 2021

  • Proven Sire

  • Harness training in progress

  • NFHR Pedigree Link: https://nfhr.hvyhorse.net/horses/9109

    (photos below taken in 2023 as a coming 4 year old)

 

Mare: Double C Thea

  • Brown Dun, Color Genotype: EE Aa NN (Carries Grey, 50% of offspring will also carry grey)

  • Born: July 9, 2020

  • Proven Mare

  • Harness training in progress

  • NFHR Pedigree Link: https://nfhr.hvyhorse.net/horses/11623

We are hoping to add another mare to our herd next year!