When the gods established their realm of Asgard, they needed fortifications around it to protect it. One day, a skilled craftsman, who was really the giant Hrimthurs in disguise, arrived at the bridge to Asgard and told Heimdall that he had a plan for the gods. Odin gathered the Aesir to listen to the plan. The craftsman said that he would build the fortifications in eighteen months, and as payment, he would take the sun, the moon, and the goddess Freyja as his wife.

Enraged by his demands on the goddess Freyja, Odin bid the craftsman leave, but Loki however implored the gods not to be too quick in making the decision, for he had a plan too for the craftsman. Loki's plan was to pose the impossible task of completing the fortifications in one winter, failing which no payment was to be given, and the gods would have a part of the fortifications already done. Thinking the craftsman would not be able to complete it, the gods agreed to Loki's plan.

The craftsman was rather hesistant, though he finally agreed when the gods allowed him to enlist the help of his horse, Svadilfari.

Progress on the fortifications was amazingly quick, with the giant's horse helping him move large blocks of rock quickly. A few days before the deadline, the wall was almost done. In such a situation, the gods blamed Loki for persuading them to agree to the plan and forced him to come up with a solution. Loki, being ever cunning, was not without another plan. He transformed himself into a beautiful mare and distracted Svadilfari. The giant lost control of his horse and thus without Svadilfari, he was not able to complete the fortifications before the given deadline.

Raging over his lost wager, the giant revealed his giant form and threatened to destroy everything in Asgard. When it was clear that the giant indeed was from Jotunheim, the Aesir called upon Thor, who killed the giant with his hammer, Mjollnir.

A few months later, Loki returned to Asgard with a young colt that had eight legs. The young horse was the offspring of Svadilfari and Loki whilst he was a mare. Odin adopted the colt and named him Slepinir, which would later become the magical steed of Odin.

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