About the Icelandic horse

 

The Icelandic horse is a small breed of horse that has evolved in isolation in Iceland. It is indeed a horse and not a pony. They are small, but strong and very tough! The horse has survived in Iceland for 1100 years without any crossbreeding.

 

The Icelandic horse is relatively small, its average height ranging from 132 to 145 cm high. Still is is so strong that it can easily carry a full grown adult. It has a spirited temperament and a wonderful  personality. It comes in over 100 different colours and colour patterns, even colours you would not find among other breeds.

 

Our horses are known for their extreme sure-footedness and ability to cross even the roughest terrain, glacial rivers and lava fields. It has two additional gaits. Beside the walk, trot and gallop you find in other horse breeds it also has the ability to perform the tölt and pace. The tölt is a four-beat gait where the sequence of foot falls is the same as in walk. This means that at least one foot is on the ground at any time. That being the case, there is no period of suspension within the tölt. This lack of suspension in the gait means it has a smoothness which is comfortable for the rider as there is no time when the horse bounces the rider out of the saddle. Some of the horses can also do the „skeið“, the "flying pace". It is used in pacing competitions and is very fast – even sometimes faster than a full speed gallop. Some pacers can go as fast as 50 km/h  but it is not a gait we use for long distances.

 

But the most exciting thing about our horses is their friendly „will to go“. We love to refer to them as our good natured „Porsches“ - with the speed but without the pollution!

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Find out more about the Icelandic horse here: https://www.horsesoficeland.is/the-icelandic-horse/

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Disinfection of riding gear

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Icelandic horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad.Visitors are asked to adopt strict biosecurity measures! 
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Importing the following equipment is strictly prohibited:

• Used riding equipment, such as saddles, bridles, nosebands, pads, rugs, whips, etc.

• Used riding gloves

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Cleaning and disinfection: 

• Used riding clothes and boots should be washed in a washing machine or dry cleaned prior to entering the country

• Used riding clothes and boots that cannot be placed in a washing machine or dry cleaned should be washed and disinfected as follows:

• Rinse thoroughly with detergent

• Dry

• Spray with 1% VirkonS® (10g per liter of water)

• Store for at least 5 days prior to bringing the clothes into contact with horses in Iceland

 
Thank you for your cooperation – by following these rules you are doing your bit towards Horse Welfare in Iceland! 
More information on this matter can be aquired throught the website of the Icelandic Food & Veterinary Authority: https://www.mast.is/en/import-export/import-of-riding-equipment