Icelandics- tell me everything :)

[martini55]

I've always been an admirer of this breed. I've decided that I am going to set up a savings account, which will be my 'horsey account', and save towards getting another horse (so hopefully I'll have a nice fund in a few years time). What I would be looking for is an easy-going, friendly sort on the ground but who perhaps had a bit more go when you got onboard. Someone fun and reliable for happy hacking (perhaps some endurance/fun rides if I got out and about again) :) I'd love an icelandic but have never been lucky enough to meet one, so would they have the characteristics I am looking for?

Could someone explain their gaits to me? Do all icelandics who tolt also trot? If so in what order do the gaits come and how do you ask for tolt as opposed to trot?

I've been looking on breeder's websites etc and it's mostly young horses I have come across. Are they generally sold as youngsters and are nicely trained older horses harder to come by?

The one thing is I am 5'9 and weigh just over 9 and a half stone. What would be the smallest height of icelandic that would happily carry me?

Any other information on the general keeping and riding of them would be great too.

Thank you :)

[chickyd444]

i thought they have 5 gaits but i am not sure i know there is a tolting expert on here somewhere

[martini55]

Yup some do- tolt and flying pace. I think flying pace comes after canter (well I think), it's the tolt that confuses me a bit:)

[Wally]

What I would be looking for is an easy-going, friendly sort on the ground but who perhaps had a bit more go when you got onboard.

That is the Icelandic in a nutshell. :D

When an Icelanidc is being friendly though, they are not all over you, mugging pockets, a good one will just come to stand by you, close to, but NEVER touching, unless you invite it. Some folk think they can be aloof because of this, it's not aloof, it's respect.

At your weight and height, ANY size Icelandic and most of our big Shetlands could carry you all day.

I'd strongly advise going to see Smári Steingrimsson at Pitton Wilts, get some riding experience of the gaits. Fi Pugh in Worcestershire is also an excellent source of information and advice. In Anglesey there is Kjarten Davidsson too. Go on the site and get on the phone. Just looked you are in Scotland. I'll PM you ;) Jill Noble is in Edinburgh, she might be a good place to start.

Right the Icelandic. 12-14.2hh generally. 12 is rare as is 14.2hh. Beware of some owner's idea of what 14.2hh is, generally it's 14hh :D

An Icelandic should have tölt no matter what other gaits they have. Piggy pace does not count. Tölt is a 4 beat leteral gait like walk, but with fewer feet on the ground at any one time. One or two at most, no moment of suspension like trot and canter.
http://www.ihsgb.co.uk/the_gaits.htm

Pace is a racing gait that not all Icelandics have, it should only be used in racing and after canter, Pace should never be allowed to corrupt the other gaits, which is sometimes very hard in strongly pacey horses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDUNmu3_cYM&feature=related

They can look like dear little hairy ponies, they are not always like that be careful. Imported ones can be speed freaks, in Iceland there are few fences and roads and gates to contend with and when allowed to go on they will! They are very willing indeed. My old riding school Ma'am used to say a horse will go as fast as you make him or as slow as you allow him. Icelandics will go as fast as you allow them or as slow as you ask them.

Go and ride a few and get a feel for what is a good tölt and what is a piggy pace, this is the difference between getting a horse into bad habits and keeping the gaits clear.

[martini55]

Thanks Wally, they do sound fantastic and I'll have plenty of time to find out if they are for me as I think it'll probably be a couple of years before I've saved enough pennies to buy one. I'm just v. excited at the prospect! :D :D

[Wally]

Really though, do go and try to get a ride on a few.

The forward going ones that are light and bouncy are great fun, though they can seem a bit scary to start with. When an Icelandic sets out to go somewhere they will out walk a 16hh horse with ease. Some folk feel a bit out of control to start with.

[Bay Mare]

Thanks Wally :D I love Icys too :D Heather had one (a gorgeous 5 year old) at her Christmas conference, he was 4 gaited I believe and an absolute star.

A friend of mine was on the British team for the 2007 World Championships :D Here's her website, there's lots of lovely photos of Icys :D

http://www.icelandichorse.co.uk/index/index.php

[ambatt]

That would have been one of Fiona's then Bay Mare - if so it is likely to have been bred by Smari in Wiltshire.

Echo everything Wally has said, Icelandics are a fabulous breed, so much fun and a nice Society too.

[Wally]

Ambatt, can you suggest anyone else she could contact, I am a bit out of touch.

[ambatt]

As out of touch as you Wally I am afraid, but Jill Noble still has Icelandics for sale at Pentland, I would still recommend Fi Pugh and Smari. Fiona Tyson in Devon does not have anything for sale, but is a mine of information.

After that, I believe Nick Foot *may* have some for sale, and Mic at Solva usually knows of one or two or for sale.

After that I am a bit clueless!

Best to look on the IHSGB website, we are bit of the Ancien Regime now Wally.

[Bay Mare]

That would have been one of Fiona's then Bay Mare - if so it is likely to have been bred by Smari in Wiltshire.



Yes, Fiona took him there :D Becky did some clicker and in hand work with him and Heather did some lateral work with him (with Fiona on board). He was fantastic, so chilled but so bright :D

[ShariN]

Mic is in Wales... she would know what is for sale.

OK... here I go, litte different than anyone else. Not all Icelandic's will be able to carry normal adult weight. Stay away from the refine, thin body ones.
Not all Icelandic's are laid back and easy going. Most of the Icelandic's I have owned or work(ed) with, were anything but. Have to know what you are doing.

In this side of the country..average height is 12.3 hands.. know many 12 to 12.1 hand Icelandics.
Freydis, the one I sold, was unusual at 13.2 hands tall. She was also 1st prize quality...which is also rare over here in the NW.

There are 3 , 4 and 5 gaited Icelandics. Seen a number that will not tolt or pace... many nice 4 and 5 gaiters.
Gets pretty detailed with the gaits in Icelandics.
Most all the Icelandic's I have ridden that have Tolt...had a smooth tolt.
Slow pace or Piggy pacers can be either smooth or very rough..depending on the horse.
At one time I had a Fly pace mare, while she could race pace, she was a rough ride.

Dyfra is 5 gaited and on the pacey side.. I can get her cleaned up with work and she will trot when I start posting. But you have to know how to clean up the pace to get a clear tolt, trot or canter.
Other wise you get a pacey tolt/trot/canter which is not good.

Frey was very clean and clear in all 5 gaits. Very high quality mare.

It is best, if you can, to find an Icelandic that has clear gaits. Or more rare...a natural Tolter.

So like with any breed..do your shopping and if you have to.. go to Iceland and get a good one, if you can not find what you want in your country.

I still keep going back to the Icelandic's, been working and owning them for 15+ years...so you know I favor the breed.