Icelandic horses are special horses from Iceland. They look like small ponies but are very strong. They have thick winter coats and long manes to stay warm. These horses love people and are very friendly. Here are some fun facts about Icelandic horses that show why they are so unique.
Fun Facts About Icelandic Horses
Here are some fun facts about Icelandic horses:
Pure And Proud:
In Iceland, they care a lot about keeping this breed pure. Since the 10th century, no new horses have been allowed into Iceland. Also, if an Icelandic horse ever leaves the country, it can never come back.
Seasonal Colors:
Some Icelandic horses actually change their coat color with the seasons. They grow a thick winter fur and shed it in summer, even turning into a slightly different shade sometimes.
Long-Lived:
These horses can live to a very old age. For example, one Icelandic horse named Tulle lived to be 56 years old. Another in Germany lived up to 47. Usually, they live about 25–30 years, but they can live into their 40s or 50s on rare occasions.
Small Size, Big Heart:
Icelandic horses are short (around 13–14 hands, which is like pony-size), but they are very strong. Despite their small size, they can carry adult riders easily.
Unique Gaits:
They have five natural gaits (the usual walk, trot, canter, plus two extra). Their special gaits are the tölt and the flying pace. The tölt is a very smooth four-beat gait. The flying pace is a very fast two-beat gait often used in short races. At the flying pace, they can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Not all Icelandic horses can do the flying pace, and those that can are often considered the best of the breed.
Many Colors:
Icelandic horses come in over 40 recognized color variations. They can be black, chestnut, brown, gray, pinto, and more. In fact, Icelandic people even have over 100 words to describe all the colors and patterns of these horses.
Gentle Nature:
They are known for being gentle and easy to handle. These horses love human company, and they rarely get spooked since they have never had natural predators in Iceland.
Useful And Versatile:
Icelanders still use them for herding sheep on farms. People also ride them for fun and sport. They compete in events like dressage, jumping, and racing. They are also used in trail riding and therapy programs because of their gentle nature and sure-footedness.
Fun Facts About Icelandic Horses For Kids
Here are some fun facts about Icelandic horses for kids:
Their Amazing Gaits
Most horses can walk, trot, or gallop. But Icelandic horses can do two extra moves!
Tölt:
A super smooth walk that’s much faster than normal. It’s comfy for the riderno bouncing!
Flying Pace:
A super-fast race move where their legs move in pairs on each side. It’s exciting and powerful, but only some Icelandic horses can do it.
Built for the Cold
Iceland is a really cold place. These horses grow thick, fuzzy coats in winter to stay warm. They can live outside all year, even when it’s freezing!
Names with Meaning
People in Iceland give horses special names. For example:
- Skjoni means “pinto” (a horse with white patches).
- Ósk means “wish.”
- Fífill means “dandelion”, a bright, cheerful horse.
Each name tells a little story or shows how the horse looks.
Strong and Helpful
Icelandic horses may be small, but they are tough. They helped Viking settlers travel and carry things across rough land. They still help farmers today and kids love riding them because they are gentle and calm.
Autumn Roundups: The Highland Run-Home
Every autumn, Icelandic horses roam free in the highlands all summer. Then, farmers come by on horses and walk to bring them back home. This big journey is called réttir – the horse roundup. Families and friends help gather their horses back to farms. It is fun, exciting, and shows how smart and brave the horses are.
Best Horse Breed for Beginners
- The Icelandic is a friendly and calm horse.
- Because of that, it is one of the best horse breeds for beginners.
- They are small, gentle, and kind.
- They help new riders learn with ease.
Best Horse for Older Riders in the World
- Many older riders love Icelandic horses.
- This makes the Icelandic one of the best horses for older riders in the world.
- They have soft, smooth gaits like the tölt that don’t bounce.
- They are patient, strong, and easy to ride for longer trips.
Herd Friends Make Happy Horses
Icelandic horses love being with others. They live in groups, called herds, with mares, foals, and sometimes geldings and a stallion. When they stay in a stable group, they fight less. They groom and play together. Friends stay close. This helps them feel safe and happy.
Mountain School for Foals
In summer, young horses go to a big mountain area called “afréttur.” They wander with other horses. This helps them grow strong. They learn to cross rivers and climb hills. It makes them brave and ready for life.
How Fast They Trot
Icelandic horses trot at different speeds. A study used GPS to find their speeds. They trotted between 4.5 and 8.6 meters per second. That is about 10 to 19 miles per hour. That means they can trot as fast as some cars on a quiet road!
How Many Icelandic Horses Are There?
- In Iceland, there are about 80,000 Icelandic horses living with a population of around 350,000 people.
- That means there’s roughly one horse for every four people in Iceland.
- Around the world, there are about 100,000 Icelandic horses living outside of Iceland.
- A large number of these are in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden.
The National Horse Festival: Landsmót
Every two years, Iceland holds a huge horse festival called Landsmót. It began in 1950. At this festival, the best horses show off their five gaits, like the tölt and the flying pace. There are fun shows, races, stalls, and games for kids. It’s like a big country fair all about Icelandic horses!
Icelandic Horse Colors
Icelandic horses have very thick coats and long hair. In winter, they grow long, heavy fur to stay warm. In summer, they shed the heavy coat for a shorter one, but they keep long manes and tails year-round.
Icelandic Horse Appearance
These horses can have many coat patterns. Icelandic horse colors include over 40 recognized patterns. For example, you might see a solid black, a bright chestnut, a spotted pinto, or a silky silver. Some horses even look like they change color a bit as the seasons change.
Icelandic Horse Unique Gaits
Icelandic horses are famous for their smooth gaits. Besides the normal walk, trot, and canter, they perform the tölt and the flying pace. The tölt is very comfortable for the rider, because the horse always has a hoof on the ground. No bouncing! The flying pace (also called skeið) is like a super-fast running pace. The Icelandic horse flying pace is a very fast two-beat gait with moments of suspension. Horses that can fly (pace) are often the cream of the crop. At full speed, they can reach up to about 30 mph.
Icelandic Horse Uses
What are Icelandic horses used for?
Farmers in Iceland often use these horses to herd sheep and guard their land. Families also keep them for riding in the countryside. Around the world, people ride Icelandic horses in competitions and shows. They are trained for dressage (fancy movements), cross-country riding, and even jumping and racing. Because they are gentle, they are also used in therapy riding programs.
Icelandic Horse Special Qualities
Why are Icelandic horses so special? They have been kept pure for over a thousand years. That means no outside bloodlines have mixed in, so they are a living piece of Viking history. They have two extra gaits that most horses do not have, making their ride unique. Despite being small, they are very strong and can carry adults comfortably. They are also very hardy, able to survive Iceland’s cold weather and rough terrain. All these traits make them a beloved and special breed in Iceland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Icelandic horses so special?
They are special because of many unique traits. They have been bred in isolation for centuries, so they are one of the purest horse breeds. They have five gaits (including the famous tölt and flying pace), while most horses have only three. They are small but strong and carry adults easily. They are friendly and hardy, too. All of this makes people love them.
How long do Icelandic horses live?
On average, they live about 25 to 30 years. Many can work into their late 20s. Some live much longer: one horse in Germany lived to 47, and an Icelandic mare named Tulle lived to 56. So they often reach a very old age if kept healthy.
Why can only Icelandic horses tölt?
Actually, the ability to tölt is genetic and was kept strong in this breed. Icelandic horses have a special mutation in their genes that gives them the tölt gait. For over 1,000 years, Icelandic breeders have selected for this trait. Their natural balance and agility also help them perform the tölt very well. (Some other breeds can learn a similar gait, but Icelandics are born with it more often.)
What does the Icelandic horse symbolize?
The Icelandic horse is a big part of Iceland’s identity and culture. In Norse tradition, it was seen as a symbol of fertility and power. Today, it symbolizes Icelandic heritage and pride. These horses appear in sagas, on country symbols, and even Icelanders give each horse a personal social security number! They represent the nation’s history, resilience, and love of horses.
I hope these fun facts about Icelandic horses helped you learn more about this amazing breed! Enjoy sharing these cool facts with friends.
