SOME QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE ICELANDIC HORSE 

    This breed of horse comes from Iceland, where it has dwelled since Nordic pioneers settled Iceland around 865 A.D. (Learn more about Iceland under Home Country.) Icelandic horses are smaller than many breeds (12 to 14:2 hands) and weigh about 800 pounds, yet Icelandic horses are known for their tremendous strength and endurance. Icelandic horses can easily carry large adults for hours. The Icelandic is classified as a horse, not a pony. In fact, Icelandics are known to out-pull an ordinary horse 1.6 times per pound of body weight. 

    Icelandic horses are five-gaited and are used mostly as riding horses, though sometimes they have been used as a pack animal. The Icelandic horse has an incredibly smooth ride! Riding at fast speeds and carrying full beer mugs without spilling a drop is a common occurrence with these horses. Icelandic horses are fun and exciting to ride, yet unpretentious. They can maneuver safely through all kinds of terrain. 

    Icelanders value their horse's strength, spirit, sure footedness, hardiness, self-sufficiency and excellent temperament. Icelandic horses are very important in their home country where there are 250,000 people and 100,000 horses! Icelanders take pride in the loyal, friendly nature of their horses and treat them with great respect. 

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ICELANDIC HORSE 

    The Icelandic Horse has beaten its hooves across Iceland since Nordic pioneers settled Iceland in 865 AD. The settlers made an edict that once an Icelandic Horse leaves Iceland it can never return. This is still in effect today. So, over the centuries as horses crossbred, which made breeds bigger and unable to keep all their natural gaits, the Icelandic Horse has been purebred for thousands of years. 

    Although the Icelandic Horse is smaller than average, (12 to 14.2 hands) it can carry 1/3 of its weight, while most horses can only carry 1/5 as a maximum. They have retained all their five natural gaits: walk, trot, canter, tolt, and flying pace. 

    There are about 100,000 Icelandics in continental Europe, and only about 3,000 in the U.S., however they are a growing breed attracting both families, who love their gentle demeanor, and the professional rider, who admires their strength, speed and agility. 

    Icelandic horses live to a very old age, with 35-40 years old quite common. The oldest living horse, Thulla, was an Icelandic horse who died at age 57 because she just quit eating after her elderly owner passed away. Broodmares often produce foals well into their late 20's. The gestation period of horses is 11 months. Mares may be bred at age 4. The births of Icelandic horses are usually easy. Icelandic horses come in 42 marvelous color combinations. Pinto, buckskin, blue dun, palomino, silver dapple, chestnut with flaxen mane and tail. . . so many wonderful choices! They are beautiful to look at and friendly. 

    Some of the desirable conformation points of an Icelandic horse are: a long neck and a full, thick mane, forelock and tail. Their manes and tails are so full and the hair so coarse that rarely are they tangled. Icelandic horses have a height of about 13-14 hands and their adult weight is about 800 lbs. The Icelandic horses have a stride longer than most breeds and above all, a gentle disposition. Sound too good to be true? They really are. 

    Icelandic horses have sleek, glossy coats in the warm months but develop a furry, thick winter coat for cold weather. Due to their strength, smooth gaits, intelligence and loyal, friendly personality, both children and adults delight in their relationships with these animals. Icelandics are known for their excellent temperament, endless energy, amazing power, and most of all their gentleness. 

    Young Icelandic horses are first ridden at four years of age. The initial training of an Icelandic horse takes about two months. Afterwards the four-year-old is allowed a break in the pasture for nearly a year before further training. More in-depth training usually begins after this break when the Icelandic horse is five years old and is fully grown. 

    The flying pace of the Icelandic horse requires careful teaching with the closest cooperation between the horse and rider. The flying pace must be carefully developed in the horse and must not be rushed before the horse has fully developed the muscles necessary for this powerful gait. Icelandic horses have been clocked at 35 mph, going so fast that all feet are briefly off the ground or "flying". Flying pace racing is demonstrated in competition at all horse shows in Iceland and can be found at Icelandic Horse gatherings and shows in the U.S. 

    Ponying of the Icelandic horse is the practice of riding one horse and leading others to exercise them. The rider is usually in the center with horses being led on either side. Many other breeds of horses would not cooperate with this, but the Icelandic horse's temperament allows this joyful exercise.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE ICELANDIC HORSE

    Icelandic Horse Acres, Inc. has published several brochures about the wonderful Icelandic Horse, which are available to you upon request, so that you can learn more about this unique breed. 

Icelandic Horse Specifications

Icelandic Horse height range: 12:2 to 14:2 hands - compact, yet strong enough for a heavyweight man to ride

Icelandic Horse gaits: Walk, trot, canter, tölt, and flying pace: The Icelandic Horse is one of the only horses known to be ridden in all five basic gaits. These are fun, smooth, and entertaining to ride.

Icelandic Horse pulling strength, per pound of body weight: 1.6 times that of most breeds. 

Icelandic Horse numbers in existence: 100,000 in Continental Europe: only about 2,000 in the United States; 30-50 at Icelandic Horse Acres, Inc. in Washington State! We have a great variety of Icelandic horses for sale.

Uses of the Icelandic Horse: Pleasure riding, endurance riding, handicapped riding, racing, trail riding, carriage driving, team penning, dressage, jumping... you name it!

Life span of the Icelandic Horse: The horse keeps growing until about age 7 and performs at their best in their twenties. The oldest Icelandic horse on record lived to be 57! Usually Icelandics are not trained at all to ride until age 4. They are then finished and full weight can be placed on the horse at age 5. Therefore, they mature later, but live longer than most other breeds.

Colors of the Icelandic Horse: The Icelandic Horse comes in a beautiful variety of colors. There are over forty-two different color patterns possible on an Icelandic Horse including pinto coloration. Icelandic Horse Acres, Inc. has many of these unusual color variations. 

Hair Coat: The horse is sleek in the summer and fuzzy like a teddy bear in the winter. It has an enormously abundant mane and tail. 

Temperament of the Icelandic Horse: This Viking Horse is tough enough to carry a 300-pound man, and can easily be ridden by women and children.

Breed purity of the Icelandic Horse: This gentle powerhouse has been isolated and bred pure for more than a thousand years on the island of Iceland. Iceland is truly a land of fire and ice with abundant volcanoes and glaciers. With such a harsh climate only the strongest survive.