The most important unique characteristic of Icelandic horses is that they have five gaits, rather than the three gaits most horse breeds perform. Read more: Meet Icelandic horses at a farm in W. Iceland: Local farm opens perfect petting- and 'selfie stop'. Icelandic horses in winter The thick winter coat allows the horses to survive the hars Icelandic winter.
Some horses are able to reach up to 48 kilometers per hour 30 miles per hour. Isolated and pure-bred for a millennia Like other small horse breeds the small stature of the Icelandic horse breed evolved as a result of living on the margins of livable horse habitat. The first horses came to Iceland with the Viking settlers in the ninth century. These horses came from Scandinavia, but also from Viking colonies in the British Isles.
Read more: The Vikings left their mark on the European map: Here is our guide to help you find them. The ban has been strictly enforced since and is still in effect. As a result the Icelandic horse has been bred absolutely pure for more than 1, years.
The law also applies to Icelandic horses living abroad: This means that an animal that has been exported is never allowed to return. The reason for this law is to protect the breed from any diseases: It is also illegal to bring any used riding gear to Iceland. As a result of this isolation the Icelandic horse is not only pure bred, it is also almost completely free of any diseases.
A closely controlled breed The Icelandic horse is a pure bred stock, which is closely tracked in breeding registries. The Icelandic horse is capable of all the usual gaits of any other horse — the walk, trot, and canter. This fluid movement helps stabilize the ride, removing the usual bounce that a rider experiences and providing a smoother riding experience.
Performed at speed, there are points at which no hooves will be in contact with the ground. A nation of just , people, Iceland is home to around 80, of the , total registered Icelandic horse population. With roughly one horse for every four people, you can already tell that horses play a pivotal role in Icelandic society. The rest of the Icelandic horse population - , horses - live overseas, with half believed to be in Germany, where the Icelandic horse enjoys some popularity.
Typically, horses are cared for by a farmer or stable owner, and so they live on the land which their owners manage. However, shortly after the Spring lambing season, many farmers will release their horses into the mountains to graze on the rich vegetation in the highlands.
So to a traveler's eye it may at first appear that there are many wild horses, but most horses in Iceland are in fact owned by farmers or grooms. Wherever you go in Iceland, you are highly likely to see an Icelandic horse on your travels. When driving the Ring Road, you might spot them at the side of the road or grazing in close-by farms or stables. It is common that travelers will stop to pet and take pictures with the horses, but it is important that we interact with them responsibly: by not feeding them and by not entering onto private property.
Horse riding in Iceland is a unique sport — not least due to the unpredictable weather conditions. It is important to consider what time of year you ride, what you wear, what kind of tour you want to take, and your own skill level and readiness to ride.
One of the greatest things about horse riding in Iceland is that you can enjoy it in all seasons. This year-round activity is extremely popular with travelers and locals alike. Though most horse-riding stables and farms will provide you with specialist rider gear, including a helmet and heavy raingear if you need it, it is still best to come prepared yourself too.
The warm natured Icelandic horse is a wonderful choice for beginners. They are patient and forgiving, meaning that they allow riders to learn, and their shorter, stockier build makes them a stable and less intimidating horse to ride.
Elsewhere in the world, beginner horse riders may start by riding a pony, but horse riders in Iceland can saddle up right away with an Icelandic horse.
Offering the chance to meet these warm and friendly creatures, while also leaving enough time for visitors to explore more of Iceland, a single day, or half-day, trip is the most popular option among travelers. Why is this horse so beloved in Iceland and abroad? What is so special about its gait? And where can you go horse riding in Iceland? Get the answers to all your questions about the Icelandic horse and discover fascinating facts you never knew!
Known for their easy-going attitude , the Icelandic horse temperament has made them popular around the world. Typically friendly and curious, they can also be stubborn and relentless. Some say it has to do with the freedom they experience as youngsters, with vast open fields of grass to run around in and little contact with anyone except other horses.
The fifth gait is a way of riding where three of the horses legs touch the ground at the same time to create a more stable and even pace. The Icelandic horse is the only breed in the world that can perform five gaits , whereas other breeds can only perform three or four.
This results in a comfortable jaunt for the rider, who sits in his saddle without hopping and jumping around in it.
This soft gait is one of the many reasons we love the Icelandic horse! The beautiful Icelandic horse comes in over 40 colors and various patterns. There are special words in the Icelandic language for each and every one!
Sometimes the horse even changes color throughout its life span. If a horse has this color it will literally change colors multiple times a year, often resulting in a splattered in-between color. Did you know? Icelandic horses can have light blue colored eyes. This is usually caused by either a white color covering the eye or the horse being two-colored.
Eager to see an Icelandic horse for yourself? Join a horseback riding tour and see them up close! In honor of the holiday, horse owners open their stable doors to visitors and clubs around the island organize contests and shows. They are also considered more flexible and soft in their other gaits. The Icelandic horse shares the walk, trot, canter, and gallop with most other horse breeds. This gait can be observed during horse shows in Iceland.
A walking pace, the more relaxed they are, the higher their grade when competing. It is a good rule to begin and end all horse riding tours with walking. Brokk or trot is the most common gait around the world. It is often counted in two rhythms. When you are riding a horse in a trot, you will go up and down with each step. A good way to ride brokk is to step strongly into the stirrup and move with the horse.
It is a four-beat lateral ambling gait and its speed can vary a great deal. There is a small difference between the canter and the gallop, but most would consider them to be the same. It is common amongst other horses in the world and can be ridden both fast and slow. This is a particularly popular gait in racing as the horses can reach an incredible speed, up to 30 mile or 48 kilometers per hour.
During flying pace, only two legs touch the ground at a time. This gait is not popular for regular riding as it is quite uncomfortable for the rider. However, it can be very entertaining and is sometimes used by experienced riders to help the horse stretch. There are many different ways to enjoy the Icelandic horse while in Iceland.
If you simply want to pet them in between exploring beautiful attractions, we recommend multi-day tour s with Arctic Adventures that take you to the best places to ride horses in Iceland.
Most riding stables are located in the rural countryside of the Golden Circle and around Reykjavik. Another option is to go on a horse riding tour.
The options are endless.
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