History of Icelandic horses
Not all experts agree on the origins of the Icelandic horse. Some believe that it is the result of the crossing of horses of different breeds imported by the Vikings on the island in the ninth century. Others see him as a direct descendant of Equus Scandinavicus. In any case, it is one of the breeds that has experienced the least external genetic contribution, because of its isolated location. Even today, all imports of Equidae are prohibited. In this logic, any horse that has left the island cannot return.
The Icelandic horse is not the emblem of the island country for nothing! It has always been present in wars and conflicts throughout Icelandic history. It has also had a key role in agricultural or transport activities. During times of famine, its meat was consumed by the inhabitants. And even when the country was Christianized and religion forbade hippophagy, a concession was granted to Iceland. This does not mean that it was not respected: Icelandic warriors were often buried with their mounts.
Its decline came with the arrival of the automobile on the island around 1940. Agriculture has itself mechanized. The Icelandic horse has therefore lost its usefulness. But passionate breeders immediately mobilized for its preservation. However, the selection criteria have evolved. Stamina and strength of character no longer matter as they once were. It is more the quality of the gaits and the equestrian finesse that guide the selection, which gradually evolves the breed.
Morphology and dresses of the Icelandic horse
The Icelandic horse is a small horse. It measures between 135 and 145 cm at the withers. He should therefore be considered a pony since the pony/horse limit is set at 148 cm by the International Equestrian Federation. However, its strength and constitution unanimously make it a horse in its own right, both for breeders and riders.
Despite its isolation and little genetic mixing, there are two types of Icelandic horses:
- Light, long horses, with thin necks, cylindrical bodies, and long legs;
- Horses a thinner necks, less cylindrical chests, and above all, shorter legs.
In both cases, the Icelandic horse has a wide and well-muscled back that makes it a very comfortable horse. Its mane is often long and thick, as is the tail. Its coat thickens to cope with the harsh winter.
Its dresses are very varied and are all allowed in the breed. The most popular is the Silver dapple. The Silver gene acts on the black pigment and gives the horse a silvery appearance. "Dapple" means "spotted". It is therefore not a uniform color because small, lighter cheekbones punctuate the coat. Mouse grey is also sought after. In addition, features such as the blue eye (called "splash") are popular.
The character of the Icelandic horse
The Icelandic horse has an overall calm and calm temperament. He is voluntary and cooperative, and it is possible to confront him with the difficulty without him showing opposition. He is gentle, even with children.
When you mount it, you measure all the power it is capable of: it has great energy. It is very versatile and suitable for both recreational and competitive riding.
The gaits of the Icelandic horse
The specificity of the Icelandic horse lies in the number of its gaits: it is the only horse in the world to present five instead of three usually in other horses.
Like the others, he knows how to walk in step, a slow pace with four beats. He also knows how to go to the trot, at a faster pace in two strokes. Some Icelandic horses struggle to master trotting because they will tend to want to make amble (see below). The Icelandic horse also moves of course at a gallop, three-stroke pace whose speed can vary. These are the following two gaits that characterize the Icelandic horse.
Let's start by talking about the tölt. It is a four-stroke pace, like the step. It is a stable gait that leads the horse to always have at least one foot on the ground. This is very comfortable for the rider who does not need to cushion jumps much like galloping. Riders who have never ridden an Icelandic horse are quickly seduced by the fact that the seat remains very stable without much effort. It allows you to travel long and quickly. When moving in this way, the horse retains the flexibility of movement and a proud head bearing: it is very natural. The speed can be modulated: the Icelandic horse can adopt a slow or very fast tölt. In the latter case, it can compete with an Icelandic horse launched at a gallop.
The other characteristic gait of the Icelandic horse is the flying amble. It is a two-stroke pace popular during races of international competitions. Indeed, the horse simultaneously moves the legs on the same side. It is a jumpy but very fast pace in which the horses only put the hooves very briefly, hence the name amble "flying". This pace was developed by Icelanders to cross frozen lakes in order to limit contact with the ice and avoid breaking it. In Iceland, amble races are organized. Horses are ridden and not harnessed.
Mastering both the tölt and the flying amble requires work. Not all Icelandic horses are capable of this, but those that do are the most sought-after.
The health of the Icelandic horse
Life expectancy
It is quite high, ranging from 25 to 30 years.
Feeding
The diet of an Icelander differs little from that of another saddled horse. This must consist of good-quality fodder or grass.
Like any working horse, an additional energy intake of concentrated feed is necessary, but should not be in excess, especially since the breed is very hardy and easily adapts to a lean diet. They must be rationed because they quickly tend to gorge.
Care must be taken to leave a source of clear water in sufficient quantity (minimum 40L per day).
General Health
As explained earlier, the Icelandic breed is very hardy and breeds outdoors all year round, even in Iceland, its hair is full and thick.
Althing's law prohibits the importation of horses into Iceland to avoid contamination. Thus, Icelandic horses are generally disease-free.
However, he is predisposed to:
- Summer dermatitis: which is hereditary in Icelanders. It is a condition of the epidermis due to an allergy to insect bites.
- EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome): genetically predisposed to this syndrome, Icelanders are sensitive to weight gain because of their hardiness and obesity is unfortunately common. This syndrome can lead to laminitis.
"Close" breeds
Heck's horse: from a cross of breeds, including the Icelandic, in order to reconstitute the Tarpan breed, now extinct. It is of the same caliber as the Icelander and has inherited its hardiness.
The breed being pure for more than a millennium, its origins are uncertain, but the ancestors of Fjords, ponies of the Faroe Islands, or Nordlandshest are conjectures considered in view of the morphological similarities observed.
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