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In 874 AD, a group of Norwegian farmers of Viking origin left their homeland and sailed towards Iceland because of a dispute with their King who was trying to force them to submit to his rule. But the Vikings were use to their freedom and would no capitulate. They decided to leave their homes and settle in the uninhabited island of Iceland which they discovered in the course of their war expeditions across the North Sea. As well as their wives, children, servants and cattle, they also took their horses with them which were of the small, stocky Germanic type. Other horses were then brought to Iceland by these same settlers from the coast of Ireland and Scotland which they plundered in various raids at that time. These horses were of Celtic origin and were lighter and more refined that the Germanic ponies. Both these groups of horses formed the basis for the horses that have been bred for over 1000 years in Iceland, called the Icelandic horses.
You can imagine Iceland is not a paradise for horses. The climate can be very cold and the land is bleak. The Icelandic horses which lived for centuries in semi-wild herds, neglected by the people who lived alongside them have had to survive a very hostile environment with thick snow and icy storms. Most of them grazed in inaccessible highlands and steep valleys developing their extraordinary hardiness and undemanding nature. As a result, Icelandic horses aren’t suited to warm, closed stables. Like all horses it would be torture for them to wait there all day until their owner comes to set them free from the boredom of doing nothing. They feel best in a herd, which is what they have been used to for hundreds of years in their homeland. Ideally they should be kept in a herd out in the open with access to a stall for shelter. That way they are free to decide where they want to be. They will make use of a stall when it is raining or in the summer when the sun is too strong, or if the flies plague them. Even in the snow they love to play around. Their coats are so thick that the snow does not penetrate them.
The first Icelandic horses were exported from Iceland in 1850 for pulling the coal wagons in the depths of the mines. In 1950, the first Icelandic horses were imported into Germany but before long these small horses had won many friends throughout Europe. The goal of Icelandic horse breeders both in Ireland and in secondary breeding areas is to breed a robust, placid horse with a smooth gain. Performance is more important to the breeders than appearance. This is demonstrated in the marks awarded when the horses are judged: 60% for riding quality/gait and only 40% to build and appearance.
Icelanders are also an ideal horse for the recreational rider: animated but calm, tough and hard working, foot sure and plucky. The ambling tilt gain makes riding much easier for older people or those with back problems. Those who are more interested in competitive riding also achieve great success with these fast, agile horses.
Every coat color can be found amongst Icelandic horses. The most common colors are chestnut, bay and black as well as, to a lesser extent, gray.
Contact us for more information about our Icelandic horses or our April 2006 foul.
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