September 2010 Feature - The Icelandic Horse: Five-Gaited Fun for the Family

By Melanie Huggett

A land of volcanoes, tundra, and rough terrain, Iceland sits in the north Atlantic, 287 kilometres off the coast of the nearest landmass, Greenland. Only 23 percent of the island, which is dotted with fjords, lakes, and glaciers, is vegetated, consisting mostly of grasslands. It is on these grasses that many of Iceland’s unique livestock species forage: the Icelandic sheep, cow, and horse. Guarded for centuries by isolation and strict importation laws, these species, along with the Icelandic sheepdog, are some of the world’s oldest and purest breeds.

A Thousand Year History
The Icelandic horse is much like its homeland: rugged and wild looking. Over 80,000 of the small, sturdy horses dot the valleys and hillsides of Iceland, where they have lived, mostly undisturbed, since they first arrived with the Vikings more than 1000 years ago. These Vikings brought with them their best stock, which adapted to Iceland’s harsh environment, becoming strong, hardy, and intelligent, with thick hair to guard them from the cold and wind. The Icelandic horse was extremely important to the new Viking settlers and remained key to their survival for hundreds of years. “They were used for everything, from transportation, to rounding up sheep and horses in the rough highlands, packing hay and other goods, and also providing meat,” explains Lisi Ohm, who breeds Icelandics at her Vinsdalur Icelandic Horse Farm in Vanderhoof, BC. Without these horses, Ohm says, settling the island would not have been possible, as the land was too rough for roads to be built. The first road for wheeled vehicles was not constructed until 1870.

The importance of these horses is shown in ancient Icelandic mythology and stories. Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology, rides an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. Many other gods also had horses, including Gna the messenger, the gods of day and night, and Freyr, god of plenty. In the famous Icelandic Sagas, written in the 13th century, horses play an important role and are depicted not only as riding horses and beasts of burden, but also as racehorses, war horses, and prized possessions. Good riding horses were highly valued by Viking chieftains and given as special gifts.

In 930 AD the importation of horses was banned in Iceland, and this rule remains in place today. Even Icelandic horses, once exported to another country, may never return. This has kept the breed extremely pure with the Icelandic as the country’s only breed of horse. However, “Icelanders are very proud of their horses and cannot imagine riding a different kind,” says Ohm.

Fit for Flying
Icelandic Horses are not only ancient and pure, but they are also unique. In addition to the walk, trot, canter, and gallop, the Icelandic has two additional gaits: the tolt and the flying pace.

The tolt is the Icelandic’s signature gait. An even, four beat gait known for its smoothness, it can be ridden slowly or at great speed — up to 35 kilometres an hour. “Since the horse maintains contact with one foot on the ground at all times, the gait does not have the jarring movement of the trot,” says Phil Pretty, owner of Icelandic Horse Farm in Vernon, BC.

“A beautiful action (of the tolt) is high and wide with the forelegs, as well as collected, with good head carriage,” says Susan Bunge of Woodlawn, Ontario, secretary of the Canadian Icelandic Horse Federation (CIHF).
“A good tolter feels like your favourite couch in motion, with the power of a Hot Rod in the mix,” says Ohm with delight. “I tell people who ride tolt for the first to be careful — it’s addictive!”

The tolt is considered a traveling gait, while the flying pace is a racing gait. The pace is a lateral, two beat gait with parallel legs travelling together, creating a smooth ride that is also incredibly fast.
“The pace is exhilarating to ride,” says Pretty.

“We normally only ride (the pace) for shorter distances (200 to 250 metres) in pace races,” says Erhard Marenbach, president of the CIHF and owner of Tolt Away Farm in Enderby, BC.

Not all Icelandics have all five gaits. Some only have the basic three (walk, trot, and canter), some four (walk, trot, canter, and tolt), and some five (walk, trot, canter, tolt, and pace), though four and five gaited are preferred, with four being the most common.

“Every horse has a different ‘gait distribution’ (which gaits are strong and which are weak), and training aims to develop all four or five gaits evenly — not an easy task but for me a big part of the fun!” says Ohm.
“The horse that can demonstrate all five gaits with action, energy, and suspension is known as Gæðdinger or ‘dream horse’,” says Bunge.

Not maturing until six or seven years of age, the training of Icelandics traditionally begins much later than with most breeds. In Iceland, young horses are raised in large, roaming herds until they are four or five years of age, when they are brought in to be trained. Many breeders in Canada have maintained the traditional Icelandic way of raising young horses in herds, as it is seen as important to their mental and physical development.

The ideal Icelandic shares many of the conformation traits of a good riding horse, but in a small and sturdy package. They should have a high set, elegant neck, with good flexion at the poll. A long, sloping shoulder, well-muscled back, strong croup, and strong legs allow them to carry themselves properly from behind. The neck and shoulder are considered important as this gives them the ability to move more freely in the front. They should also have good sized hooves. Long, thick manes, tails, and forelocks, which are never cut, garnish their well-proportioned, compact bodies.

Icelandics come in every colour imaginable, from chestnuts, blacks, and bays, to pintos, duns, creams, and silvers. The Icelandic language has more than 100 names for the shades and patterns of its horses.

Sure-footed, strong, and hardy, Icelandic horses are well known for their weight carrying abilities. Though typically standing only 13 to 14 hands high and weighing 800 to 900 pounds, the Icelandic’s sturdy, compact build makes them able to carry proportionally more weight than other breeds. “An Icelandic can carry approximately 25 percent of their bodyweight,” says Marenbach, who believes this strength is due to the breed’s heritage. “Vikings could only take small horses on the ships, but the Vikings were not small or lightweight. So only the strongest survived the trip.”

Icelandics also have great stamina, with the ability to tolt for hours if properly conditioned. “A big problem is people just take them out of the field and hop on and say ‘oh yeah, now he can carry me for three hours.’ Well, no, they have to be conditioned for that,” warns Marenbach. Traditionally, Icelanders bring multiple horses on long trips, changing their mount throughout the ride as necessary.

In modern times, horses both in Iceland and abroad are judged in evaluations for both conformation and gaits. “Icelandics have had standardized breeding evaluations for over 50 years,” says Pretty.

“They have to show all gaits and they get scores for this,” explains Marenbach. “From those scores… they calculate the total score (out of ten). Forty percent of the total score is conformation and 60 percent is for gaits.” A total score over 7.5 is considered above average.

Friendly
A millennium of isolation without any natural predators has also given the Icelandic a wonderful temperament and great spirit.

“Icelandics have a very low fight and flight instinct. The danger in Iceland is loose rock and rough or boggy ground, all of which are not handled well by a panicked horse, so the breed has evolved to think rather than react,” says Pretty.

“Icelandics are well known for their very nice disposition,” says Marenbach. “You have a friendly horse, but not a boring horse.”

“This is a sensible but spirited horse who will give with energy,” says Bunge. “The Icelandic Horse is rather like an exuberant child. It will cheerfully challenge the boundaries set by the rider but will rarely persist in arguing. This challenge is to make rather than break the spirit of the Icelandic Horse.”

“They basically have two temperaments,” explains Ohm. “On the ground they are well mannered, friendly, cooperative, and very easy going. Under saddle they show power, light reaction to aids, and speed and willingness. To me this is the perfect mixture.”

Icelandics are also people-orientated and trustworthy.

“Icelandics have a tendency to bond strongly with their people,” says Pretty. “Having grown up with a lot of freedom in Iceland, they are sure-footed and trustworthy horses that can handle themselves in difficult situations.

“There are countless stories of Icelandics safely bringing their riders home in white-out blizzards or balking to go somewhere that later proved to be dangerous. They are loyal and curious and can be your best friends if you give them half a chance.”

A Family Favourite
With their rideability and willing temperament, the Icelandic remains as popular a riding horse today as it was with the Viking chieftains of the past. Primarily a pleasure horse, they are used for multiple disciplines.

“You name it, they can do it,” says Pretty. Icelandics can jump, perform basic dressage, drive, and plow, and also make wonderful therapeutic riding horses due to their smooth gait and short stature. However, they are perhaps most valued as trail horses for pleasure and long distance competition. “They are highly treasured as trail horses being sure-footed and smart when it comes to challenging terrain,” explains Pretty. “In recent years an Icelandic horse, Remington, was one of the top ten most successful endurance horses in the US.”

One of the best things about Icelandics, say breeders, is that it is impossible to outgrow them, as they are suitable for either children or adults. “You never grow out of them,” says Marenbach. “With an Icelandic horse, you get one, and you can stay with him.”

“The Icelandic Horse is a versatile horse that can suit the whole family,” concurs Bunge. “It is pony size with tall horse power.”

And with their longevity the family can ride them for years. “It’s not uncommon to see 30-year-old horses under saddle,” says Marenbach.

In short, the Icelandic horse is an ancient, friendly, willing, and enjoyable horse for a variety of uses.
“Icelandics are like an all terrain sport car: fun, zippy, go-anywhere, and with a five-speed transmission,” says Pretty.

Icelandics in Canada
Though the first Icelandics were imported into Canada in the 1950s, the first larger importation of Icelandic Horses to North America occurred in 1960 when 80 horses were transported to Saskatchewan and Colorado. Major importation did not begin until the 1970s.

On July 5, 1979, the Canadian Icelandic Horse Federation (CIHF) was created by a group of breeders and enthusiasts who came together in Calgary, Alberta along with Gunnar Bjarnarsson, a representative of Iceland who became the honourary president. The Canadian National Livestock Records Corporation officially recognized the CIHF in 1983, creating a secure registry for Icelandics in Canada. A year later, the CIHF joined the Federation of European Friends of the Icelandic Horse (FEIF), allowing them to participate in World Championships.

As of 2008 there were over 2000 registered Icelandic horses in Canada, with the majority in BC and Ontario.

ICELANDIC EXTRA:
Volcanic Ash Rains on Iceland’s Horses
By Melanie Huggett

On April 14, 2010, the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted violently, sending a massive plume of ash into the sky that halted air travel across Europe. But while the ash was causing issues for travellers around the globe, it was also endangering Iceland’s horses and livestock in one of Iceland’s prime agricultural areas. On April 18, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority warned horse owners to be aware of the ash fall, which could have serious negative impacts on horse health.

Volcanic ash is full of the compound fluoride, which, if inhaled or ingested in large enough quantities, can cause internal bleeding, bone damage, and even death. In an animal’s stomach, the fluoride creates acid, which corrodes the digestive tract, causing internal haemorrhaging. In the bloodstream it binds to calcium, making bones and teeth so frail that they fracture and crumble.

With so much ash in the air and landing on water sources and grasslands, farmers rushed to gather their herds and bring them indoors or transport them to safer areas on the island. Accustomed to living outdoors, Icelandics rarely set foot in a barn. But in this case it was necessary. Farmers blocked the windows and cracks in the doors and carted in fresh water and feed for as long as their natural grasslands were contaminated with ash. In total, 17 percent of all Iceland’s horses, 15 percent of all cattle, and 6 percent of all sheep were affected.

Being an active volcanic island, eruptions are something Icelandic horses have dealt with since the beginning and are part of what has made them so hardy and strong. “Famine and volcanic eruptions in Iceland resulted in survival of the fittest,” said Susan Bunge, secretary of the Canadian Icelandic Horse Federation. Volcanic eruptions occur in Iceland approximately once every five years.

Photos courtesy of: Phil Pretty, Iris Marenbach, Kordula Reinhartz, Kathy Whittington, Valdimar Snorrason