Facts about Icelandic Horse
- 09
Riders can travel at speeds up to 30 kilometers per hour on the tölt gait without experiencing the jarring motion typical of trotting on other horse breeds.
- 08
Landnámabók records that Viking settlers brought horses to Iceland around 874 CE, establishing the foundation for today's breed which has remained genetically isolated for over 1100 years.
- 07
Icelandic Horses possess a distinctive long, thick mane and tail that historically served as shelter material for Viking settlers during Iceland's early colonization period.
- 06
Icelandic Horses possess a double-layered winter coat that sheds completely each spring, allowing them to regulate body temperature in extreme weather conditions without additional shelter or blankets.
- 05
In 1882, Iceland banned the import of horses to preserve breed purity, a restriction that remains in effect today and prevents any foreign bloodlines from entering the country.
- 04
Icelandic Horses can survive harsh winters on minimal feed due to their ability to digest low-quality vegetation more efficiently than other horse breeds.
- 03
Five gaits distinguish Icelandic Horses from most other breeds, including the tölt, a smooth four-beat gait that allows riders to travel long distances without fatigue.
- 02
The Icelandic Horse stands 12 to 14 hands high and weighs 330 to 380 kilograms, making it one of the smallest horse breeds despite its exceptional strength and hardiness.
- 01
Approximately 1000 years of isolated breeding has made the Icelandic Horse one of the purest horse breeds, with no outside bloodlines introduced since the 10th century.