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The Icelandic horse is a breed of small equines found in Iceland. Individuals are stocky, short legged, and quite strong for their size. Graced by a heavy mane and tail, they stand between 12.2 and 14.2 hands and come in a range of colors. There are around 80,000 of these horses in Iceland, a country with a human population of about 300,000.

Why are these equines known as horses instead of ponies?

Though they are small enough to fit the classic definition of a pony, Icelandics are generally referred to as horses. This custom is said to spring from the fact that the ancient language had only one word to designate equines, with no differentiation between small and large animals. Whether it’s a matter of tradition, owner’s pride in his animals, or an acknowledgement that these little equines have the ability to do as much work as a larger animal, “Icelandic horse” is the accepted term.

What is the background of this breed?

A small country lying just south of the Arctic Circle between Greenland and Europe, Iceland was settled by Vikings between 870 and 930 A.D. The first inhabitants brought with them small horses from Norway that were similar to today’s Fjord horses. Other early immigrants from Britain brought ponies of Shetland, Exmoor, and Highland breeding. From these Celtic and Norwegian lines, the Icelandic horse emerged with characteristics that reflect its ancestry. Genetic research shows the Icelandic horse is associated with a DNA group known as cluster C-1.

This group is made up of DNA patterns originating in a time period between 1500 and 8000 years ago. The cluster is geographically restricted to central Europe, the British Isles, and Scandinavia.

What steps have been taken to preserve the breed’s unique status?

The Icelandic is one of the purest breeds known today. No horses have been imported to Iceland for the last 1000 years, and once a horse leaves the country, it is not allowed to return. This limits the introduction of new genetic material as well as protecting Iceland’s equines from diseases that plague modern horses.

In closed genetic pools, undesirable characteristics tend to show up more often than in cases where new individuals are constantly introduced. To combat this possibility, young Icelandic horses are carefully screened for problems related to conformation, health, or temperament. Those few horses judged not to be good representatives of the breed are culled.

What characteristics are common to Icelandic horses?

Icelandic horses vary in size, although they are usually no taller than 14.2 hands. They have dense coats, long manes and tails, large eyes, and trim ears. Their necks are short and rather heavy. The legs are strong with dense bone and good-quality hooves. The horses are described as curious, intelligent, independent, affectionate toward humans, self-protective, prudent, level-headed, easy to train, and willing to work. The Icelandic horse is known for its strength, not only for carrying a rider but for driving and pulling heavy loads.

Icelandics move in a walk, trot, and canter, and most have at least one additional gait, the tolt. This is a smooth single-foot gait similar to the rack, and is the preferred gait for pleasure riding. Some Icelandics also perform the flying pace, a lateral gait (both right legs swing forward at the same time, followed by both left legs) that can be performed at great speed. Calm and well-mannered on the ground, Icelandics are spirited and energetic under saddle, and the rider who asks for a little more speed may quickly find himself in “over-drive.”

Horses of the Icelandic breed tend to mature somewhat more slowly than other breeds. They are not ridden until the age of 4 or 5, are considered mature at 7 or 8, and often live and work well into their thirties or longer.

A desirable trait is the Icelandic horse’s tendency to look at a strange situation and try to figure out how to overcome any problems associated with it, rather than to spook or run as many other breeds might do. It is theorized that this trait may be due to the lack of predators in the environment, or possibly it is a legacy of dealing with the challenges of the landscape in which they are raised. Herds are usually allowed several months of free-range living each year, and the rugged terrain includes lava flows, rock slides, glaciers, swift rivers, and steep mountains.

What are these horses used for?

The Icelandic horse is versatile, to say the least. Common uses are pleasure riding, driving, and serving as pack animals. Some are ridden to help with rounding up sheep from the highlands and working livestock (sheep, cattle, horses) on farms. They are still used as a means of basic transportation, and many automobile roads have a horse path next to them. They have been called “the bridges of Iceland” as an acknowledgement of their ability to carry riders over steep and rough ground. Trail riding, fox hunting, agricultural work, dressage, and jumping are also common uses, both for fun and in competition. Racing is usually between ridden horses rather than those in harness. Many horses are exported, with at least 100,000 now found outside Iceland, mostly in Germany and Scandinavia. The breed is popular in a number of countries in Europe and North America.

How are Icelandic horses managed?

Traditionally, Icelandic horses spend part or all of each year in large herds that rove over the rugged landscape and graze a variety of plants. A study done at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany analyzed health and nutritional status in a group of 88 Icelandic horses. Blood work and physical examination showed acceptable white blood cell counts and no indication of disease.

Icelandic forages contain high levels of trace elements, probably related to the soil which is enriched by volcanic ash. While soil selenium levels were high, plasma selenium levels in the horses were not elevated, and it is theorized that soil sulfur and pH may depress selenium uptake by forage plants.

Like many equines of small size, Icelandics tend to be thrifty keepers. Owners of these small horses are faced with the dilemma of providing adequate nutrition without overloading their animals with excess starch and energy. Many Icelandics will get along well with little or no grain; a vitamin-mineral supplement can be used to provide necessary nutrients. Overfeeding, whether with concentrates or even too much calorie-rich hay, should be avoided so as to limit problems with obesity, laminitis, and strain on joints.

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