 
- This breed of horse comes from Iceland, where it has dwelled since
Nordic pioneers settled Iceland around 865 A.D. (Learn more about Iceland under Home Country.) Icelandic horses are smaller than many breeds
(12 to 14:2 hands) and weigh about 800 pounds, yet Icelandic horses are known for
their tremendous strength and endurance. Icelandic horses can easily carry large
adults for hours. The Icelandic is classified as a horse, not a pony. In fact,
Icelandics are known to out-pull an ordinary horse 1.6 times per pound of body weight.
- Icelandic horses are five-gaited and are
used mostly as riding horses, though sometimes they have been used as a pack animal. The
Icelandic horse has an incredibly smooth ride! Riding at fast speeds and carrying full
beer mugs without spilling a drop is a common occurrence with these horses. Icelandic
horses are fun and exciting to ride, yet unpretentious. They can maneuver safely through
all kinds of terrain.
- Icelanders value their horse's strength, spirit, sure footedness,
hardiness, self-sufficiency and excellent temperament. Icelandic horses are very important
in their home country where there are 250,000 people and 100,000
horses! Icelanders take pride in the loyal, friendly nature of their horses and treat
them with great respect.
Additional Information about the Icelandic Horse
Icelandic Horse Acres, Inc. has published several brochures about the wonderful
Icelandic Horse, which are available to you upon request, so that you can learn more about
this unique breed.
Icelandic Horse Specifications:
Icelandic Horse height range:
12:2 to 14:2 hands - compact, yet strong enough for a heavyweight man to ride
Icelandic Horse gaits:
Walk, trot, canter, tölt, and flying pace: The Icelandic Horse is one of the only horses
known to be ridden in all five basic gaits. These are fun, smooth, and entertaining to
ride.
Icelandic Horse pulling strength, per pound of body weight:
1.6 times that of most breeds.
Icelandic Horse numbers in existence:
100,000 in Continental Europe: only about 2,000 in the United States; 30-50 at Icelandic
Horse Acres, Inc. in Washington State! We have a great variety of Icelandic horses for
sale.
Uses of the Icelandic Horse:
Pleasure riding, endurance riding, handicapped riding, racing, trail riding, carriage
driving, team penning, dressage, jumping... you name it!
Life span of the Icelandic Horse:
The horse keeps growing until about age 7 and performs at their best in their twenties. The
oldest Icelandic horse on record lived to be 57! Usually Icelandics are not trained at all
to ride until age 4. They are then finished and full weight can be placed on the horse at
age 5. Therefore, they mature later, but live longer than most other breeds.
Colors of the Icelandic Horse:
The Icelandic Horse comes in a beautiful variety of colors. There are over forty-two
different color patterns possible on an Icelandic Horse including pinto coloration.
Icelandic Horse Acres, Inc. has many of these unusual color variations. Hair Coat: The
horse is sleek in the summer and fuzzy like a teddy bear in the winter. It has an
enormously abundant mane and tail.
Temperament of the Icelandic Horse:
This Viking Horse is tough enough to carry a 300-pound man, and can easily be ridden by
women and children.
Breed purity of the Icelandic Horse:
This gentle powerhouse has been isolated and bred pure for more than a thousand years on
the island of Iceland. Iceland is truly a land of fire and ice with abundant volcanoes and
glaciers. With such a harsh climate only the strongest survive.
Now Available -- Icelandic Horses Questions and
Answers
Interested in Owning an Icelandic Horse?
Icelandic Horse Acres, Inc. has many beautiful Icelandics for
SALE!
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