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The Icelandic Horse

Formed in 1968, the Icelandic Horse Society of GB exists to maintain the purity of the Icelandic Horse and to promote interest in this unique gaited breed. John Crawford met with F. Pugh of the Society at the British Equine Event 2001. Please click on the ilnk below to listen to their discussion.

http://www.equiworld.net/video/ewvideo.exe?bb509

(Note: to listen to this file you will need Real Player. A free download is available at www.real.com )

All of the horses found in Iceland today are the descendants of horses taken there by the Vikings. Space was precious on the longboats, so only the best horses were selected. The ancestors of today´s Icelandic horses came from Northern Scandinavia and the British Isles - in particular the Dole Horse of Norway and from Britain the Celtic Pony, the ancestor of the Exmoor and the Shetland.
Icelandic Horses in their native habitat

Icelandic Horses have two extra gaits
 As well as the usual gaits - walk, trot and canter - Icelandics also have two extra gaits:
The "TÖLT", a 4-beat lateral gait also known as running walk. The Tölt can be performed at any speed and is smooth and comfortable for the rider.
&
The FLYING PACE, a two-beat lateral gait used for racing. Flying Pace makes great demands of both horse and rider, but is spectacular to watch and exhilarating to ride.
The horse can reach speeds of 30mph.

Please click here to learn more about Icelandic Horses

Please click here to visit the Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain website.



Find out more, visit the links page or find answers on the message board.