Icelandic Horse Trivia

We love our Icelandic Horses - Morgunn on the left and Gletta on the right. It has been said that the Icelandic Horse is the purest breed in the world.

They were first brought to Iceland in about 900 - 1,000 AD by the Vikings. They are the original Viking horse.

In 1,100 AD Iceland made a law that said no other horses could be brought into Iceland and, if an Icelandic Horse ever leaves, then it can never return. The breed is still genetically true to the original Viking horses. It has never been cross bred with any other horse breed.

Icelandic Horses are short, but stocky in stature. Many old-timers use the rule of thumb that if a horse is less than 14.2 hands high at the withers then they would call it a pony. However, newer guidelines look more at the horse as a breed. There are many pony breeds - Shetland, etc. - that are true pony breeds with a distinct pony conformation. However, the Icelandic Horse has none of the conformation characteristics of a pony and, by its conformation, is considered a true horse. When you ride a pony you know it. The feel and movement are different from a horse's feel and movement. When you ride an Icelandic Horse if feels like any other horse you can ride.

Icelandic Horses have the normal gaits as any other horse - walk, trot and canter. However, they have an inbred fourth and sometimes fifth gait. Almost all Icelandics have a fast walking gait called a tolt. It is fast and smooth gait that is a delight to ride. Most horses have to canter to keep up with an Icelandic doing a tolt. Some Icelandics have a fifth gait called a flying pace which is like riding a rocket at full blast. It is a short distance gait, but it is incredibly exciting to ride.

Icelandic Horses rarely ever kick. They are born and raised in the wild in Iceland. During the extreme winters they will group together to keep warm and kicking is discouraged as it disturbs the cohesion of the group and the warmth it can generate.

Because of the purity of the breed it is a long-lived horse. Most Icelandics will live into their 40's and can be ridden well into their 30's. The oldest Icelandic Horse lived to be 57. Betty's horse, Gletta, is 26, yet she has more get up and go and stamina than Dan's gelding, Morgunn, who is 9 years old.

Finally, Icelandics are easy keepers. They rarely get sick and, if treated well, require little maintenance other than good, common-sense horse care.

There are only about 3,500 Icelandic Horses in the US. Corrales, New Mexico where we live has about 12 or so Icelandics.

We feel we are blessed to have our two Icelandic Horses.