Description: Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic Horse is a unique and ancient breed originating from Iceland, renowned for its strength, stamina, and friendly temperament. Brought to Iceland by Viking settlers over a thousand years ago, these horses have remained isolated from other breeds, resulting in pure lineage and distinctive physical and behavioral traits. The Icelandic Horse is relatively small, often pony-sized, but displays the courage, hardiness, and spirit of larger horses. They are particularly famous for their unique gaits, the tolt and flying pace, which make them smooth and comfortable to ride. Their thick double coat protects them against harsh climates, making them exceptionally adaptable. Icelandic Horses are commonly used for riding, competition, and as reliable farm companions. Their calm, approachable nature and manageable size make them a preferred choice for riders of all ages and skill levels.
Icelandic Horse ratings
Properties
The Icelandic Horse is a unique and hearty breed that has been developed in isolation on the island of Iceland for over a thousand years. Known for their spirited yet friendly temperament, Icelandic Horses are small but extremely strong and resilient, capable of withstanding the harsh climate and rugged terrains of their native land. One of the breed’s most distinctive features is its array of gaits. Unlike most horse breeds which have three gaits (walk, trot, and canter), the Icelandic Horse is famous for its smooth and unique additional gaits: the tölt and the flying pace (skeið). The tölt, a four-beat lateral ambling gait, is highly valued for its comfort to the rider over long distances, while the flying pace is a two-beat lateral gait used for short bursts of speed and is typically reserved for racing.
The Icelandic Horse stands out for its compact and muscular build, with an average height ranging from 13 to 14 hands (52 to 56 inches). Despite their smaller stature, they are remarkably powerful and durable, easily carrying adults even over long distances. Their thick double-layered coat provides excellent insulation against cold and wet weather, enabling them to thrive outdoors year-round. The breed exhibits a vast variety of colors, with over 40 recognized shades and more than 100 different color patterns, making each horse visually distinctive.
In terms of temperament, Icelandic Horses are generally described as intelligent, cooperative, and eager to please. They form close bonds with humans and are considered to be very trustworthy, making them popular with riders of all ages and skills, including children. Icelandic Horses have a long lifespan, with many remaining healthy and active into their late twenties or even thirties. Another notable characteristic is their robust health; due to strict import regulations that have kept the breed genetically isolated, Icelandic Horses are less prone to many common equine diseases. However, this isolation also means that once a horse leaves Iceland, it is never allowed to return, a measure designed to protect the nation's equine population from foreign illnesses.
Due to their versatility, Icelandic Horses are used not only for pleasure riding but also for competitive events, agricultural work, and therapeutic riding programs. Their adaptability, hardiness, and gentle nature make them a cherished and iconic part of Iceland's cultural heritage, admired by horse enthusiasts worldwide.
Appearance
The Icelandic Horse is a small, sturdy, and robust breed that is instantly recognizable due to its unique proportions and impressive presence.
This breed typically stands between 13 and 14 hands high (approximately 132 – 142 cm at the withers), but despite its smaller size compared to many other horse breeds, the Icelandic Horse is always classified as a horse, not a pony. Its overall appearance is compact, with a deep chest, short strong back, and a well-muscled, broad croup. They have short, strong legs, noted for being extremely hardy and structurally sound, often with substantial bone and well-formed, strong hooves. Many Icelandic Horses do not require shoes, even when ridden on rough terrain.
The head of the Icelandic Horse is expressive, featuring a straight or slightly convex profile, large intelligent eyes, and alert ears of moderate size. Their neck is muscular and arched, allowing for both flexibility and strength, which supports their unique gaits.
One of the most distinctive features of the Icelandic Horse is its thick, abundant mane and tail. The mane often falls to one side in a luxurious, sometimes curly display, and the tail is full and long, offering protection against the harsh Icelandic climate. Their coat is double-layered; the outer layer is long and coarse, providing insulation and water resistance, while the dense undercoat keeps the horse warm during the severe Icelandic winters. This double coat can become especially thick in winter months, sometimes making the horse appear even more robust.
Icelandic Horses are found in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns. There are over 40 different color variations and more than 100 different color patterns, including chestnut, bay, black, grey, dun, palomino, pinto, and more. This diversity is partly due to selective breeding for color in addition to other traits. Their skin is generally dark, helping to protect them from sunburn and skin irritations, and their hooves are often black, which is considered stronger in Icelandic lore.
Overall, the Icelandic Horse’s appearance is a combination of strength, hardiness, and beauty, uniquely adapted to its native environment and visually striking for equine enthusiasts around the world.
History
The Icelandic Horse is a distinct and ancient breed, boasting a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. The origins of the Icelandic Horse can be traced to the island's settlement in the late 9th and early 10th centuries, when Norse settlers arrived in Iceland, bringing horses from Norway and potentially other parts of Scandinavia and the British Isles. These settlers carefully selected horses suited for the demanding conditions of the rugged, volcanic landscape. Over the centuries, the isolated geography of Iceland and strict laws prohibiting the importation of horses—enacted as early as the 10th century—ensured that the Icelandic Horse was bred in relative genetic isolation.
The breed thus developed with very little outside influence. This isolation helped the Icelandic Horse preserve traits from its ancestral stock, notably the ability to perform additional gaits, such as the tölt and the flying pace (skeið), unique features not commonly found in most other breeds. The Icelandic Horse was essential to Icelandic society, serving as the sole means of transportation across the island's challenging terrain, from rocky highlands to rivers and glaciers.
Throughout history, the Icelandic Horse was highly prized, both for its versatility and temperament. In daily life, it worked as a valued farm partner, transporting goods, herding sheep, and aiding in travel. The horses were included in Norse mythology and Icelandic sagas, often described as loyal companions of heroes and gods. Despite multiple hardships, such as harsh volcanic eruptions and plagues, the breed survived thanks to its sturdy constitution and resilience.
By the 19th and 20th centuries, improvements in infrastructure reduced the practical need for horses, but a growing interest in equestrian sports and the cultural significance of the breed sparked renewed appreciation. Today, the Icelandic Horse is celebrated for its purity, good nature, and unique abilities. Its story is a testament to the enduring relationship between the people of Iceland and their beloved horses—a relationship shaped by centuries of mutual dependence and adaptation to one of the world’s most challenging environments.