The Icelandic Horse
The origin of the horse in Iceland is exactly the same as the arrival of the
first settlers from Scandinavia in the ninth century. Clearly, the horse was the
catalyst that allowed the settlement of Iceland to go forward and prosper. Since
no other breed of horse has ever been imported to Iceland, this special animal
is a pure-bred "Viking Horse".
The
horse was used for everything. They worked tilling the farmlands from dawn to
dusk and provided transportation between the farms as they were settled. They
went on scouting expeditions into this new territory in search of everything
from water to grazing areas. Strong and sure footed, the Icelandic horse
adjusted and adapted to this new land certainly as fast and most likely faster
than the new settlers.
Viking battles were fought on horseback and the animal
quickly adjusted to any situation that was presented to it. Is it any wonder
that many of the slain Vikings warriors of the many battles in earlier times
were often buried with their horses as a sign of honor and respect?
The Icelandic horse has many characteristics unique unto
itself. Perhaps the most noticeable would be its intermediate size and the mane
of shaggy hair. The five gaits of the horse are also one of the special features
that sets it apart form all other horses. These gaits are the fetgangur, the
walk or step, the brokk or trot, the tölt, which is a running walk, the skeiš or
the pace and the stökk, or gallop.
