Icelantics - whats so special?

[Flony_Pony]

I'm not being rude, just nieve! Been reading a rant about the BHS and pointed out about how safe, reliable, comfy etc they are.

What makes them so different?? The only thing I know about them is what they look like, would anyone like to enlighten me?

[acw295]

Don't know much but they have different gaits - like tolt (I think that isn't how it is spelt but I can't remember it). There are vids on youtube I think :) and they have a leg at each corner and are very nice, intelligent horses so think that helps.

I have only ever ridden one though (and I don't think he was pure bred) :p

[Flony_Pony]

oh I see! how strange, just dont know anything about them!

[*IcyRider*]

Icelandic's what so special-everything :D

:D i wouldnt own any other breed of horse now.They are nothing like big horses.To understand fully youd have to meet one :) They are more like people than horses.Everything about them is different and every Icy is different.Of course whats makes them stand out above the rest os there 2 added gaits Tolt and Pace (youtube them).Tolt is like a walk but at amazing speeds.I have 1 horse who can tolt slower than he can walk.It is really something!Pace is a 2 beat gait and can be mega fast.Its also really fun to ride.Then there is all the different colours you can get,you name it you can get an Icelandic in it!

I dont trust any other horse now except Icelandic's they just dont have any of the normal horse behavious.You can go into a field of 30 youngsters and know that your not going to get kicked bitten etc...You may be ravashed,but nothing else :p

Id never go into a field full of normal horse baby's,just dont trust them :) My mare and foal are with a NF mare and foal and the Nf foal fly kicks bites the lot.My little lad i can hug every inch off and do what i want and i know he wont do a thing to me.If he did it would be a huge mistake and he would be very upset about it.They do tend to apologise for things :D


Try and meet 1 then your really know why they are so special :)

[Flony_Pony]

They sound dead sweet, will have a ask around, but not seen or heard of any near here! Thanks for the info and will definatly youtube when i have time!

[HashRouge]

Other breeds are special too :p

[CER1389]

Ok, aside from being spelt Icelandics :p Wally, can mods edit titles?!

This is going to be a long post, so go find a cup of tea, and a choccy biscuit. I'm hoping to sell them in such a way that no one on NR will be able to resist :p

The Gaits
Icelandics are most noted for the fact they have an extra gait in comparison to an ordinary horse. They can tolt, which is a 4 beat, lateral moving gait which can be as slow as an ordinary walk, or as fast as a gallop. When I went to the beach last year I was on a 14hh icey, with a 16.2hh intermediate eventer, some 17hh hunters and some 15hh ex race horses. I was merrily tolting alongside as they cantered :p
The tolt is incredibly smooth, it is possible to carry a full pint of beer, whilst in tolt, without spilling a drop.

Some icelandics have another gait, as well as tolt. This is called the flying pace. It is again a 4 beat (although it is more commonly called a 2 beat) lateral gait, but much quicker than the tolt. And of a different rhythm. This is not as smooth but can reach incredible speed and cover a lot of ground (but only for short periods of time).

By having the ability for lateral movements, it makes the ordinary walk, trot and canter, much smoother to ride, as they too take on a slight lateral element. This makes icelandics incredibly appealing to anyone with a back injury as there is less jolting around. However it does make it harder to have them vetted when buying as a vet who doesn't know Icelandics will consider them to be "lame". When ours came to our yard it was reported the vet told them "the heart beat is healthy, the eyes are bright...but you tell me if it's sound as I have no clue!" ;) It took me 5 months when the gelding I ride went lame to find out the cause as he tried to continue working as normal (see nature) and it came across as just being an "odd" stride which could have been an incorrectness in his gait, or him putting in a tolt step, rather than a lameness.

The Purity
Iceland has had strict breeding regulations since 900AD. This means that once a horse has left the country, it is no longer allowed to return. Icelandics are the only breed of horse within the country. They were, and are still used today, as a work horse, carrying a farmer for an entire day, across his farm.
All icelandic farms breed their horses, when the foals are on the ground, the ones with the good confirmation and movement and nature are kept. Any that show a "bad" bone are killed and put in the freezer to see them through the winter. Some farms will have 30 foals and keep about 5 of them.
This stands for whether they are looking to breed a work horse or a competition horse.
A lot of the top competition stallions are kept in Iceland, therefore at World Chmapionships (see competitions) the competition isn't necessarily against the "best". It is about the best outside of Iceland. At the 2007 World Champs an icelandic rider scored a perfect 10 on a horse from Iceland. The only reason the horse was out of the country was because the money had changed hands and the horse would be going to the continent after the competition. The sale was on the proviso that the rider got to ride and compete the horse at the World Champs.
If a horse comes out of Iceland, it doesn't go back in.
Cross breeds are also very frowned upon (:mad: Wally/Frances!!! :p)

The Nature
Because only the nicest Icelandics are kept, and not put in the freezer, the nature of an Icelandic is incredibly special. There is not a malicious bone in their body. Although they are bred to be "fiery" and "forward going" they would never deliberatley drop a rider. It is incredibly rare to meet an Icelandic that bucks or rears. Any rears normally occur if a rider is inadequetley asking for tolt (which requires collection) or bucks through pain in the back. Even this is rare as most Icelandics will put up with pain, just to please their rider. As I mentioned in gaits, about the gelding I rode who carried on, even when lame. The mare I ride is getting increasingly upset and down as I am not riding her at the moment (she is hopping lame even in walk) but everytime I go to put her head collar on her eyes light up and she bounces in as if we're going for a ride, then she sighs when she realises we aren't. It's like telling a child that Christmas is cancelled :o
Icelandics love their work, and they love their rider, they fully respect their rider.
Reportedly because of the lack of predators in Iceland, Icelandics have never developed the "fight or flight" instinct. They are, as a whole, unflappable and do not spook.
They are very intelligent and pick things up incredibly quickly (like if their noseband is on, they are not allowed to eat as they are in work mode. If they just have a head piece and bit on, then eating is acceptable as they are on a break and must restore energy - something Icelandic farmers teach their horses).

Competing
Although some Icelandics are used in ordinary competitions, providing they can maintain ordinary gaits there is no reason why not, there are specific Icelandic horse competitions. These are very much "showing" classes. Where the horse and rider has to show each gait. They take place on an oval track, and most commonly there will be 3 people on the track at one time. The commentator will ask them to go through each gait, maintaining it for 90 seconds at a time. They each recieve a mark out of 10 for each gait, which is averaged out. The rider with the highest average wins.
Depending on which class you enter will depend what you are asked to show (walk, trot, canter and any speed of tolt the horse prefers at the lowest level. Whereas at the highest it would be maintain a slow tolt, then one with speed changes and then a fast tolt).
The icelandics nature makes them fantastic endurance horses. The tolt covers such ground and is so comfy that they are great for the trekking part, and they are bred with a naturally fast and ground covering walk (for practicality on the farms) that the fast walk is no problem. Because they are unflappable they aren't spooky so are fantastic for all the obstacles, they are so intelligent so easy to train for the "stop and wait" obstacles. At an average of 13hh they are also easy to mount from the ground :p
Frances top endurance horses are all Icelandics.
Icelandics can jump, are brave cross country and cover large amounts of ground at speed. They will never win the puissance but will do sufficiently well at 2ft!

Ok I did warn you this was going to be long, and I've got so passionate that I've got another post to come :p

[CER1389]

Height vs Carrying Capacity
Oh how I love this debate and the one that will occur with the topic below as well :rolleyes::p
Icelandics average 13hh. They should be no smaller than 12.1hh and no taller than 14hh. There are some that are bred taller (*IcyRider* on here as a youngster that looks like it will make 14.2hh) and there is debate that they should be bred slightly taller. But I won't go into that right now!
Although they are small, they are bred for Icelandic farmers, who were not "slim" by any definition (well aside from my own defintion of slim, which is anyone under 18 stone :D) . Nor where they small, skeletons show, even hundreds of years ago, 6ft Icelandic farmers.
Therefore the breed was developed to carry a significant amount of weight, and for long stretches of time. They also carry off leg very well, so very few people (aside from Wallys amazing picture) actually look too tall on an icelandic.
A normal horse can carry 20% of its body weight. An Icelandic can carry 33% of their own body weight. So many people disbelieve this, and want to know why? I guess it's a fair question.
Obviously a 5 gaited horse with a long back and narrow set legs SHOULD NOT carry say 16 stone all day. Generally 5 gaited horses are longer in the back, of a more athletic build and thus have a lower weight carrying ability. However they would cope with 14 stone all day.
But a stocky 13.3hh with a shorter back, 4 gaits, wider sprung legs etc would be able to carry 18 stone at ease for the majority of the day.
Yes they do have better bone density than an average horse. As PL's once asked me, tests have been done and it is commonly accepted by most people that this is the case (baring any horses that lacked nutrition as a foal etc).
This gives Icelandics a great appeal with anyone who has had an injury. They are small so easy to mount from the ground for those with back injuries, and if a rider is nervous they do not seem big and threatening like a 17hh may do. It's very hard to take an Icelandic as seriously as it takes itself (My 13hh mare has actually been inaccuratley measured and does infact stand at 18.2hh or solid muscle and she takes pride in the fact her job is as important, if not more so, as guarding the Queen ;))

Horse or Pony?
My other favourite debate. If an Icelandic does not come above 14hh then it's a pony :rolleyes:
There is no word in Icelandic for "pony". The language has never needed to develop a word for it, as Icelandics are their only equus. Therefore they are called Icelandic horses. The Icelandics have a term "to pony" which is an adjective meaning "to lead" as you would do if you rode one horse and "ponyed" your pack horse.
To call an Icelandic a pony is a derogative term, and an insult to its owner. The owners take great pride in their horses. There is an old Icelandic phrase along the lines of "you tell whether you wish to introduce a guest to your wife by how he treats his horse" if your guest sweats his horse up, or it is underfed then it is an insult to the breed and an owner would not feel the guest worthy of meeting the family. If they do not treat their "faithful servant" with respect then they will not treat family with respect.
It just shows how valued an Icelandic Horse is to it's owner.
Icelandics were the breed that have kept farmers running over years. They have prewarned of earthquakes and volcanoes (They will run to safe ground days before a tectonic eruption, which gives villagers warning. They then return when it is safe). They provide the biggest source of food, and at one stage the biggest source of economy for the country.
The country of Iceland, as we know it, would not have survived without the Icelandic horse. Therefore as a mark of respect, as the horse is respected in the country, the term pony is not used to describe the breed.
In much the same way that you call someone by their given name or Nationality (French rather than a 'frenchie' for want of a better example) you call the breed a horse.

Ok, as you can tell, any of that have this breed or have met these marvellous creatures get incredibly passionate and defensive of them.

I know you wanted to know what makes them so special, well thats everything. It's not one particular thing, but it's the whole nature of the breed. The fact they are so different, that there are so many quirks to them. That they are versatile.

I can't think of another breed where someone (who doesn't even own their own, merely rides someone elses) would be so passionate they can tell you the entire back history of the breed, every single possible gait combination. I've just typed this (which covers 4 pages in Microsoft word, in about 45 mins, and without stopping to research, it's all knowledge I already possess, because I've made the effort to reasearch them as they're such a fantastic breed)
It just doesn't happen as no other breed (imo) touches someone in the same way a Icelandic horse touches a rider.

Please ask questions, any of us with Icelandics are so passionate about them they we wish to answer and share our knowledge as much as we can.

I'll also sit here and wait for the debates on horse vs carrying capacity and "Icelandics: Horse or Pony" :p:rolleyes: But whilst I wait I’ll try and dig out some pictures to highlight to you further about this incredible breed.

[*IcyRider*]

Pretty good description my dear :) Think you may have sold them quite well hehe Anyone fancy 1 il have a mare up for sale next year :D :p

[HashRouge]

I love how enthusiastic you two are, but is it wrong that I just read your signature IcyRider and am suddenly feeling slightly defensive of my 'just a horse' horse :rolleyes:?

[Ace87]

I rode one on holiday in Iceland and loved it - really fab little horse. I loved that after they'd been untacked the ran of to the lava fields and got down and had a massive roll on the lava grit!! Ouchy!

However I too am a bit defensive of my 'just' a horse to me he's the bees knees!

[Mandaloo77]

Well done CER1389, you have acheived your goal!! I have never encountered an Icelandic before but now I want one!!! ;)
xxx

[CER1389]

if it's not an icelandic it's just a horse

I know people can get worked up about this sig
I know *IcyRider* deliberatley uses it for this reason.

I understand how defensive you both get at your horse being described as "just a horse" its derogative right?
So why do people still call Icelandics "ponies" even though thats derogative towards their breed?

But *IcyRiders* sig is there to provoke the same emotions from every day horse riders, that us Icelandic riders feel every time we are told we are being silly for getting defensive about the term "Icelandic Pony".
It's in the hope thye might understand too

[Mandaloo77]

P.S. Just looked up Tolt on youtube...that is actually amazing, can't believe the speed!!
xxx

[*IcyRider*]

Thankkyou CER1389, tis just what its there for :)

Mandaloo77 Tis brill isnt it :D And sooooo much fun to ride,even more so when your going fast!

[HashRouge]

I'm still not sure I get it. I'm now starting to feel slightly offended on the behalf of all the lovely ponies I know!

[pedilia]

I know people can get worked up about this sig
I know *IcyRider* deliberatley uses it for this reason.

I understand how defensive you both get at your horse being described as "just a horse" its derogative right?
So why do people still call Icelandics "ponies" even though thats derogative towards their breed?

But *IcyRiders* sig is there to provoke the same emotions from every day horse riders, that us Icelandic riders feel every time we are told we are being silly for getting defensive about the term "Icelandic Pony".
It's in the hope thye might understand too

I don't think that is quite the same:rolleyes:
I love arabs but would not class any other breed as just a horse or any less special, the Icey owner I know does not get offended at hers being called ponies.

[*IcyRider*]

Im not meaning to cause any offence with my signature,so please dont take it anyway as a dig at you all.We all have our breeds and my sig is taken from a sticker i have on my car.Sorry ifit has upset some of you but im in the mind of if you dont like it then dont look.I dont make comments on your sig's :)

[CER1389]

I don't think that is quite the same:rolleyes:
I love arabs but would not class any other breed as just a horse or any less special, the Icey owner I know does not get offended at hers being called ponies.

*IcyRider* would never put down anyones horses directly, and I too ride many horses that aren't Icelandics quite enjoyably.
The point is tongue and cheek, not that horses are "just horses" just as we believe Icelandic's aren't "ponies".

I know some owners don't get annoyed about the term pony. I will let it slide when it comes up in conversation and wouldn't specifically lecture on this point. But it's certainly one that needs bringing up when the breed appears. As it's such a unique thing about them.

When I went to the World Champs in Holland last year, nobody in their right mind would have dared said the "p word" for fear of getting lynched upon, I assure you :p
It is a big deal to many Icelandic riders and all Icelanders, so therefore one thats worth mentioning whenever anyones interested in finding out more about the breed.

The quote is never meant to offend anyone, but to try and provoke emotions and help people understand our point of view on the term. I've always used the phrase as a way of explaining how I feel about the term.

[Spiggly]

the Icey owner I know does not get offended at hers being called ponies.

Well hers is a pony. Its a whole 2 inches shorter than mine! (Who is also a pony!).

In answer to the question - because who wouldnt want a cuddly teddy-bear like this to come hug every day?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j204/rojeth/PB200145.jpg

[CER1389]

Well hers is a pony. Its a whole 2 inches shorter than mine! (Who is also a pony!).


Well he won't be yours when I come and steal him!! Mwhahahaha
How dare you offend him by calling him a Pony?!!? Socks says he is far braver and more majestic looking than a pony :p
And as for miss furry, def not a pony in her nature at all!! Even if she is all ickle!

[*IcyRider*]

*horse* :)

[pedilia]

Well hers is a pony. Its a whole 2 inches shorter than mine! (Who is also a pony!).

In answer to the question - because who wouldnt want a cuddly teddy-bear like this to come hug every day?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j204/rojeth/PB200145.jpg


Errm or have to chase them round a tiny paddock while they are bucking, farting and creating mayhemhttp://img3.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0009.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)

[*IcyRider*]

Id also like to add that alot of the sport horses have such big movements they put top dressage horses to shame.

[icegirl]

Wow Ceri, I think you have it all just about covered there!!!
Cant add anything really except to say they are the best companion a person can have - I just feel now that my little guy looks after me and is completely trusted by me to get us to wherever we are going safely. I hope he feels the same about me.:)
He does spook occasionally though - just to make sure Im still paying attention!

[Spiggly]

How dare you offend him by calling him a Pony?!!? Socks says he is far braver and more majestic looking than a pony :p[\quote]

ROFLMAO! Brave? are we discussing the pony who very nearly had a browband spelling 'PANSY' in big pink letters?
[quote]
And as for miss furry, def not a pony in her nature at all!! Even if she is all ickle!

she certainly had enough grump in her this morning for a big horse!

[Spiggly]

Errm or have to chase them round a tiny paddock while they are bucking, farting and creating mayhemhttp://img3.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0009.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)

Butter wouldnt melt...

[horseygal90]

Can I ask what makes an Icelandic a horse and not a pony? Because size wise,,, they are ponies.

[CER1389]

ROFLMAO! Brave? are we discussing the pony who very nearly had a browband spelling 'PANSY' in big pink letters?


Well he says he was very brave when Aunty Caroline made him go up the canter track with Miss furry AND then back up by himself all alone. He says his legs weren't at all wobbly or shakey!

And he says he was brave about the jump, and leaving miss furry in the big field.

So yus, tis confirmed that mr socks is very brave....or certainly when Aunty Caroline is around....maybe hes more scared of me than the scary stuff?!! :p;)

[CER1389]

Can I ask what makes an Icelandic a horse and not a pony? Because size wise,,, they are ponies.

Height vs Carrying Capacity
Horse or Pony?
My other favourite debate. If an Icelandic does not come above 14hh then it's a pony :rolleyes:
There is no word in Icelandic for "pony". The language has never needed to develop a word for it, as Icelandics are their only equus. Therefore they are called Icelandic horses. The Icelandics have a term "to pony" which is an adjective meaning "to lead" as you would do if you rode one horse and "ponyed" your pack horse.
To call an Icelandic a pony is a derogative term, and an insult to its owner. The owners take great pride in their horses. There is an old Icelandic phrase along the lines of "you tell whether you wish to introduce a guest to your wife by how he treats his horse" if your guest sweats his horse up, or it is underfed then it is an insult to the breed and an owner would not feel the guest worthy of meeting the family. If they do not treat their "faithful servant" with respect then they will not treat family with respect.
It just shows how valued an Icelandic Horse is to it's owner.
Icelandics were the breed that have kept farmers running over years. They have prewarned of earthquakes and volcanoes (They will run to safe ground days before a tectonic eruption, which gives villagers warning. They then return when it is safe). They provide the biggest source of food, and at one stage the biggest source of economy for the country.
The country of Iceland, as we know it, would not have survived without the Icelandic horse. Therefore as a mark of respect, as the horse is respected in the country, the term pony is not used to describe the breed.
In much the same way that you call someone by their given name or Nationality (French rather than a 'frenchie' for want of a better example) you call the breed a horse..

horseygal, I've cropped the relevant bit from my long post.

[*IcyRider*]

They also do not move like ponie's,none of that silly shuffling trot.They move like big horses infact alot move bigger than big horses.A friend of mine was going on about how her cob had a 15inch ground clearance in trot,my mare has 2ft in trot!Also the length of her stride is huge compared to her show cobs.

Another reason they are not ponie's.

[Method_Acting]

They also do not move like ponie's,none of that silly shuffling trot.

Another reason they are not ponie's.

:eek:

kinda lost for words!

[dragonfarmgirl]

hi folks.
I wish you would all stop posting. I keep trying to get on with things in the real world but can't get past this forum !
Decided to get my new horse in new year. He will be my Forever Horse, my best friend, the love of my life (don't tell the OH)
Up until now it could only be another Friesian........Now you have totally ruined everything and made me want an Icelandic Horse !!!!!!
I live near Chester. Does anyone know of anyone who might let me meet and poss ride one in the next month or two ????
I make wicked lemon drizzle cake by way of bribery ?:confused::D

[*IcyRider*]

Hehe ahh you dont wanna fresian :D

How far are you from Hampshire? Im not good with places my life is dependant on a sat nav :rolleyes:

[CER1389]

*ahem* not that I'm getting slightly passionate here :o
I did think it was a bad idea if I started replying on this thread! We blame the instant notifications, telling me whenever anyones replied :p

Some pictures to show the kind of movement *IcyRider* is talking about.
All of these are trot or canter. They have never been harnessed for classical dressage, but instead for Icelandic competition so obviously the movement is a lot of action which is what is desired.
But if you can imagine action like this, ridden for dressage, it is enough to rival reasonable warmbloods.
You can debate whether this makes them more "horse" like, any breed can have a decent action, it's just showing a bit more about what makes the breed so special to us.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2057.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2050.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2070.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2051.jpg

[HashRouge]

:eek:

kinda lost for words!
I second that!
I'm DEFINITLEY offended on behalf of all the ponies I know now lol! :eek:
You haven't seen my friend's section C mare trot. Now, there is nother 'silly' or 'shuffling' about that pony so :p

[*IcyRider*]

*ahem* not that I'm getting slightly passionate here :o
I did think it was a bad idea if I started replying on this thread! We blame the instant notifications, telling me whenever anyones replied :p

Some pictures to show the kind of movement *IcyRider* is talking about.
All of these are trot or canter. They have never been harnessed for classical dressage, but instead for Icelandic competition so obviously the movement is a lot of action which is what is desired.
But if you can imagine action like this, ridden for dressage, it is enough to rival reasonable warmbloods.
You can debate whether this makes them more "horse" like, any breed can have a decent action, it's just showing a bit more about what makes the breed so special to us.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2057.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2050.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2070.jpg

Ahhh shexy Jarl,i could so take him home :D shame about the price id have to off sold my house to buy him!


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/WorldChampionshipspicsHolland2051.jpg



Those trots are really something! You should see Jarl's canter *slobbers everywhere*

[CER1389]

I live near Chester. Does anyone know of anyone who might let me meet and poss ride one in the next month or two ????
I make wicked lemon drizzle cake by way of bribery ?:confused::D



How far are you from Hampshire?


IR - think basically the borders of North Wales.
There are a few Icelandic People in wales, not sure which locations.
Try www.ihsgb.co.uk

I definatley recommend the breed! (You'd never have guessed, would you?! ;))

[CER1389]

Ahhh shexy Jarl,i could so take him home shame about the price id have to off sold my house to buy him!

Yeh I'd take either horse or rider home :p
Although then the horse sold for over 400,000 (this is the Chesnut me and IR are on about, who is current world champ and a stallion) so I've poss got more hope getting the rider home :p ;)

[*IcyRider*]

LOL! ditto to that,mind you never met Johans at the 06 youth cup,my good lord him and his stallion were quite something!

[dragonfarmgirl]

Hi IcyRider , unfortunately I'm over 3 hours away, oh well. Thanks anyway:)
Still want Friesian, just want icelandic as well !!!:D

[*IcyRider*]

Oh thats a shame,go on the IHSGB website and you should be able to find someone near you :)

[CER1389]

Those trots are really something! You should see Jarl's canter *slobbers everywhere*

Ok, everyone can ignore this post.
This is my completley indulgent post for myself and *IR* to appreciate the goodness that is Jarl (the stallion, not the rider :p)

Everyone else feel free to look at the pictures of the pretty "pony" ;)

The Canter that *IR* was on about
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/jarlcanter.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/jarlcanter3.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/jarlcanter2.jpg

His Incredible Tolt
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/jarltolt.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b255/CRumblina/jarltolt2.jpg


~Ok indulgent post over, I just needed to get him out of my system. Feel free to carry on asking questions now :D~

[icegirl]

Hi IcyRider , unfortunately I'm over 3 hours away, oh well. Thanks anyway:)
Still want Friesian, just want icelandic as well !!!:D

Ive recently heard very good things about Friesians too.
Nice that Iceys have such a fan club on NR though.

[*IcyRider*]

Ohhh i wont show those pic's to Sól she'll want abit of that!He really is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice :D


I want!


oooo Daddy can i have a horsey for xmass...its only 400 grand :)

[CER1389]

Nice that Iceys have such a fan club on NR though.

I'm not sure fan club...more 2 obsessive ralliers who get so passionate that everyone else shuts up ;):p

I was determined to have a Fresian when I was older....until I discovered Iceys.

[icegirl]

Rant away guys - I was enjoying it, especially the pics.:D

[dragonfarmgirl]

I've added pics of my OH's Friesian (cos he is gorgeous). Jake is so friendly, loving and honest that , to get similar qualities, I thought it would have to be another Friesian but it sounds like your little, ooops, sorry, totally majestic and awesome icelandics possess some of the same qualities. Plus, they have the advantage of being smaller (easier to get on and off, and not as far to fall !!), being more comfortable for older bones, come in pretty colours and have great manes and tails to play with ! over 40 now and losing my wow factor so always good if horse has it hee hee :D

[lachlanandmarcu]

OK so Iceys are lovely, Im often tempted by them.......althought the one I know is a stubborn nappy moo cow and also suffers badly from sweet itch so all the lovely mane is gone and her face is a mess in the summer and she cant go out at all in the daytime and has to be in a boett rug top to toe. She wont go faster than trot. So not all are dream paragons of virtue!

On the good side she is easy to get on and off.

But all breeds have their good uns and bad uns, not trying to put you off but do exercise the normal judgement as with any breed.

It is only right to point out (as most breeders will be open about) that Icys imported from Iceland have a higher than normal tendency to develop sweetitch (presumably because the midgies are different here). It is less so with UK bred Icys but it is def something you should be aware of - recommend buying one in summer so you can see any sweettich symptoms, not in winter or early spring!

[Joyscarer]

This thread has just made me even more determined to get to know as much as I can about this delightful breed.

Ruskii, flump1969 and I all met up for the first time at an iclandic show in Hampshire having beome very interested after reading about the experiences of some our repected members on New Rider and I'm so glad we did.

The people were lovely and I wanted to be a part of it just for that reason alone :p

Then you come to the horses themselves. The way they moved had my face like this :eek:

These lovely little horses have a presence way above their size and I for one am a big fan.

I would love to actully get some practical time with some.

I still find it hard to get my head around the fact that they could carry me with ease. At 5ft 7 and a size 20 lets just say I'm very self concious about my weight and the effect it would have on any horse I rode :o

[Kis Vihar]

Please can someone pop an Icelandic in a Jiffy-Bag and post it to Hungary for me???:D

I SO want to try one out!

Not fussed on the colour or anything, you know.....;)

I don't think there are ANY out here!

[Wally]

They are not ponies as there is no word for pony in the Icelandic language. Simple as that.

For me the gaits are the icing on the cake, if they never tölted or paced again it wouldn't matter in the great scheme of things. What matters for me is the temperament. But don't be fooled by the cuddly-wuddly exterior, Icelanidcs can have a streak and if they fel they do not have a strong leader they will not folow you. They have a very strong herd instinct and a very VERY strong sense of self preservation, if they feel their rider is not worthy of looking after you both he will take you back to the herd where its safe. This can be interperested as stubborness.


I have the most nervous Icelanidc in the world, he's at the bottom of the heap, however when Frances' youngest was about 5 she was in the field with the ponies and a bit of a spat broke out, Ljosfaxi went to run and found his ony exit was over the top of Frances' 5 year old child, he changed his mind and went through the fracas to escape.

Frances' horse was being led across the open hill by said 5 year old. In fact Hákon was nursmaiding her over the hill. She just held the rope. She fell over about 10 times in ever puddle and rut. Each time Hákon put his head down and the kid used his headcollar and forelock to climb up. We watched as he put her back on her feet each time and only took a step when she had taken on.

Ugla was being led by my 8 year old son who was showing off to Frances' daughters, he fell in a bog and Ugla took a step and went to pu her foot on top of him. Hse stopped with her foot hovvering over his femur, took a step back and allowed him to climb up her face to stand up again.

As metioned all the nasty ones got eaten, and still are.

When we had the riding school and trekking centre the Icelandics were the only thing between us and the idiots that were the public. Had we had another load of breeds I am certain our accident book would have been full!

Fákur I trust 100%, he would never drop me, in fact once he nearly did when a peat sack blew under his legs out in the hill, I was convinced that I was going to fall, but he felt it and actually caught me, I felt him wiggle to get me back in the saddle. Háákon has done the same to Frances when some kids popped up from behind a dry stone wall.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/IMG_0426.jpg

Fákur in his summer dresses
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/fakurjuly.jpg


Iacs allows the dog to charge at him and jump up into my lap while I am sitting on him, if I wasn't on board he wouldn't hang around while the dog ran at him, he'd move.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/IMG_3688.jpg

Hákon was the easiest horse I have EVER trained to harness, without blinkers too!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/IMG_3366.jpg

If they trust you they will go anywhere for you.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/Iacs-on-his-box.jpg

Hákon too is happy to play any silly games you ask of him, so long as he trusts you.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/Hakon-SS.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/ConnieFlyingPace.jpg

Although I love Fjords they do tend to be a bit thick and forget what it was they were supposed to be doing, and you have to remind them of their manners, when once you have the respect of an Icelandic it's never lost.

I have worked with all manner of breeds, but it is the Icelandic we have kept, not the Welsh or the Fjord. The Icelandic does have an edge the others don't have. I am a pony fan, but Icelandics are not like ordinary horses or ponies.

[Flony_Pony]

Wow loads of things I never knew I never knew! Thanks for all the info, I didn't realise I they were so different to 'normal' horses.

[Flony_Pony]

Oh having youtubed tolt I have a question!!!

How comes other breeds cant tolt?

[posie]

anyone want to send one to perthshire!? OH had a nasty fall of honey-monster and i think an icelandic would suit him down to the ground!!!

[Wally]

They can, Most of the UK M&M have been described by a well known Icelandic trainer as trotty tölters. He watched the M&M classes as the Royal show one year and was facinated.

Charlie can tölt if he has a rider on him who knows how to ask for it. He is a Shetland, Fivla has been known to tölt when we have been asking her to do a really collected trot.

In the old days lots of horses ambled or had lateral gaits, they were very, very comfy to ride and ladies used them for side saddle, they were known as palfreys or amblers.


However it is an inefficient gait to have if you are pulling a load, you want a trotter, so when road became better and better and carts and carriages became more popular tölting was undesirable and nobody bred for the gait specifically. They bred for trtotting carriage horses.

In Iceland you cannot traverse the country by cart as the lave and ice fields change day by day, so they rode and used pack horses, so it was more important to have a comfy gaited horse to ride and carry a pack than it was to have a trotty cart horse, so for hundreds of years the Icelandic has been bred in isolation for the gaits.

[scottishterrier]

how did the extra gaits come about and for what reason? x

[CER1389]

how did the extra gaits come about and for what reason? x

It's believed a lot of breeds could tolt at one stage, as Wally said.
When I was on holiay last year I rode a beautiful Ardennes. Was talking to the owners and they said she did a "shuffling walk" and they couldn't work out why, she wasn't lame, so just ignore her if she did it, or kick her on. 5 minutes later me and her were tolting beautifully on one of their tracks :p
I've certainly seen a lot of horses at shows or doing dressage with 4 beat trots. It's there if you can see it.
However the tolt serves little purpose in this country, so if other breeds did have it (centurys ago) then it has been bred out for other more desirable characteristics.

With Icelandics because of the purity of the breed, and the tolt being the most practical gait for covering the lava landscapes I am presuming that the best tolters were bred together, to create even better youngstock. Selective breeding for practical reasons.
The pace being so similar to the tolt (laterally) maybe came about, possibly even as an incorrectness of the tolt, but was something that was desirable so was bred to be kept.

I'm speculating based on my knowledge of the horse, the county and the needs.
I'll try and look it up for you though, see what I can find :)

[KateWooten]

I have no dog in this race ... ( do you even have that phrase in the UK ?) ... the icelandic equines look kinda nice, to me, if that's what you like ...

But the whole horse-pony thing really gets my goat. Logically ... there is a word (presumably not spelt H-O-R-S-E ?) in the icelandic language which refers to these equines ? All these particular equines are under 14.2 ? Therefore, whatever that word is, in icelandic, it translates in English, directly to the English word 'Pony' doesn't it ?

The whole debate reminds me of the incredibly crass 'Michael Scott' from 'The Office'. In the US version, there is a mexican character, Oscar. When Michael is going off on one about 'Diversity' and making a colossal mess of it, he asks Oscar "is there anything less offensive we should refer to your race as ? I mean, "Mexican" - it's a bit derogatory isn't it ?"

Pony - seriously, it's not a term of derision. If people get in any way offended by the term, they might want to have a little dig around at their own prejudices there - not those of whoever is using the allegedly offensive term - whether that be "pony" or "mexican".

You can have a big-moving pony ! Its height and its movement are two entirely separate metrics.

[Wally]

Hest is Icelandic for horse, which is where the english horse comes from and the Shetland Hesti , there are a few over 14.2hh but not many. There is no distinction between the two.

Sadly in the UK the word pony is used in very derogatory terms time and time again. Ponies are for children or disabled people!

In this we must respect the Icelanidic tradition and take the literal translation as horse. Hest.

In shetland if you are an incomer you are a "sooth Moother" this can be used as offensively as you like, depending upon who is using it and how it is used.

The Icelanders find it offensive to call their horse a pony, so I bow to what offends them.

[KateWooten]

Call it a hest then ! In English, most of them are ponies. And then let's get onto any english speakers who have prejudices about ponies ! Otherwise, we're just going down the same old route, of bowing to any and all pressures to make insults out of perfectly functional, well-defined English words. Like spastic, and gay. NOT derogatory, any more than Pony.

I winds me up about miniature horses too. Nice, refined ponies. "but they behave like horses, so they're horses". Yeah, and so do my nicely raised ponies !

[CER1389]

OK so Iceys are lovely, Im often tempted by them.......althought the one I know is a stubborn nappy moo cow and also suffers badly from sweet itch so all the lovely mane is gone and her face is a mess in the summer and she cant go out at all in the daytime and has to be in a boett rug top to toe. She wont go faster than trot. So not all are dream paragons of virtue!

Having never met the horse, I honestly can't comment too much. I will say that one of ours is a bit of a cow, very stubborn, fiery, argumentative etc. Which is what the Icelandics liked, a horse with a bit of a temprament. When the mares excersised frequently, made to think and harnessed correctly, she's lovely to ride and handle.
I sent this thread to a friend (non NR member but who has icelandics) who raised a point I hadn't overly considered, on the fact some icelandics have bad tempraments. Her comments (and on sweet itch as her mare suffers from it) are in red.
Mostly I wanted to point out that in the UK there are bad ones because it is pretty hard to get them slaughtered as they would be in Iceland so there is a risk we, in our softness, will ruin the breed by breeding from duff horses.


It is only right to point out (as most breeders will be open about) that Icys imported from Iceland have a higher than normal tendency to develop sweetitch (presumably because the midgies are different here). It is less so with UK bred Icys but it is def something you should be aware of - recommend buying one in summer so you can see any sweettich symptoms, not in winter or early spring!

Again, this point was another reason I sent the link to my friend, we're fortunate that none of ours suffer from sweet itch. I know her mare does, but her mare also has a nicer mane and tail that ours do.

Oh and that sweet itch must be declared but that it is not necessarily the case that a horse will show symptoms as “Miss Furry” doesn’t if stabled and rugged though she sure would if someone took her off me and stuck her in a field in April-October unrugged

My friends horse has her mane shampooed every other week, the stable has been adapted so 'itching posts' are soft and gentle, not too harsh. Other objects were removed so they couldn't be scratched on.
I can't think of a single Icelandic breeder in the UK who wouldn't warn that a horse has sweetitch. It is a pain, but it's also quite accepted because of the difference in midges, it's "unavoidable".

[pedilia]

The Icelanders find it offensive to call their horse a pony, so I bow to what offends them.

I would also respect that view, but that is very different to Icelandic owners in the UK getting offended about their equines being referred to as ponys.
Most people seeing an equine of that size would call it a pony and not in an derogotory manner!

[Wally]

It is a pain, but it's also quite accepted because of the difference in midges, it's "unavoidable".

And we don't get them here! Yay!



I think to go out and deliberately offend the Icelanders by referring to their horse as a pony is unnecessary. Why cause offence?

If I had a degree of spasticity in my arms or legs due to cerebral palsy (or whatever) and I found being called a spastic offensive I hope folk would respect my wishes.

The Fjord IN Norway is not called a Fjord pony, it is a Fjord horse. Why should I argue with folk whose traditions are theirs not mine.

The old folk here will ask if you have "hoarses", meaning Shetland ponies, if they mean bigger ones they will say "muckle hoarses. It's only the English, English that tend not respect traditions and language.

Ponies in my view are for children, with a temperament to suit. You'd never put a child or nervous rider on some of the more firey Icelandics.

[Wally]

Most people seeing an equine of that size would call it a pony and not in an derogotory manner!

And most folk would, when informed that it is in fact refered to as a horse, and the Icelanders would take offense at your use of the word pony, would take that on board and use the term horse when referring to Icelandics. It's not a difficult concept! :D :D

[KateWooten]

Nope, no more difficult than using the correct word with its correct definition, and not changing it arbitrarily to pander to people's prejudices.

Address the prejudice, don't just change the word.

Just because some people have a problem with Ridgebacks, I can't arbitrarily decide that Ginny is a dachshund. Whatever anyone thinks about Ridgebacks, she still IS one !

[icegirl]

Sorry, cant keep out of this Icelandic love-in! What Frances said is all so true, and like Wally, I have been "shrugged" back into the saddle when cantering down a bank and starting to lose my balance. I didnt have to be big or fierce, or a brilliant rider, to get his trust, just consistent and kind and firm when I had to be. At my old yard, they used to get us to lead other nervous horses past all the scarey stuff. Sometimes I like it that he does the odd bit of taking charge tho - he saw a car on the road before I did the other day and scampered very quickly onto the verge to keep us both safe.
He doesnt know hes only small - he told one of the big horses in the field to back off in no uncertain terms the other day. We dont compete or do 100mph tolt or anything flashy, but I wouldnt change him for any horse worth millions. Oh crap, Im getting soppy now.:o

[CER1389]

So, that is why. It is the little things. They are very often a one-man horse and once you have your best friend, you have a best friend for life. I know I will never find another Haakon. He is very very special.....

they positively glow with pleasure. My horse and I have a special secret language that is between ourselves that we have developed over the years....

They take their job of looking after their rider very seriously too.

Beautifully put Frances.
I can't describe their nature any better than you have, but I will add to of my own stories that highlight this nature.

Two years ago I took the gelding I ride up to the beach. He's not very fast, and can be quite spooky, but it was with him that my riding confidence was restored and I trusted him for my first time on the beach (for which I was very nervous). We went to the beach with this little geldings herd. Herds are so incredibly important to Icelandics, they stick together. Yet when the others went off in canter, this little gelding stayed in trot with me, because I felt nervous cantering. He understood this, didn't pull once (to the point I was riding him one handed) even when pushed into canter, he didn't pull to catch his friends up, because he wanted to keep me safe and happy.
When we did meet the rest of his herd and all went for a gallop now that I was confident, the little gelding cantered, and when I pushed him for gallop he hesitated, wanting to make sure I was positive, when I nudged him as if to say it was ok, he powered off, over took the others and galloped as I've never galloped before. My friends couldn't believe how fast this "slow" horse was. When I sat up and half halted he came straight back to me. Then beamed for the rest of the time on the beach. So incredibly proud of himself.

He went lame the following year, so had been to be on field rest for 5 months. As i mentioned earlier, it took us a while to be convinced he was lame because of the gaits. And his nature was to carry on and not worry about the pain. It was only because I know his gaits well enough I could tell he wasn't holding his rhythm. He was put on field yet. I have never seen a horse become so withdrawn. He was still with his herd, and was coming in frequently and being groomed. But he could not understand why I was not riding him. Little nudges on my hand and big dull eyes frequently had me in tears, he was telling me he was still in pain and at times he did not want to be caught. He had lost his sparkle, yet it was he was who apologetic that I could not ride him. The day he trotted over to me first in the field with huge bright eyes and let me catch him easily was the day I knew he was sound and pain free. After we went out on our first ride (10 mins in walk) he came back beaming. My YO said she had never seen a horse look so happy. I was back in tears for an entirely different reason! He is now coming back into work without a problem. I know he will tell me if he is in pain again, and he knows I will listen when he does. I trust him explicitly, and even though I do not own him, he is certainly my one in a million horse.

We can tell you all the stories, and I have far more like this, about how upset they get when we don't ride them, or we fall off. But its meeting this incredible breed that makes you understand. The pride they take in themselves and their riders is so very difficult to describe, no matter how hard we try.

[Wally]

The Shetland would dance on our grave, the Icelandic would put flowers there and the Fjord would eat them! :D :D

Folk don't beleive us when we tell them falling off an Icelandic upsets the horse more than the rider.

[ShariN]

Looked at the title and said, "Oh good.. more Icelandic horse talk"... was pretty good for awhile... great write ups so I will not repeat them.

Wally also did a great write up on what Icelandic's are.

Dyfra is super sensitive and can be very high strung but she has always been careful to make sure I stayed in the Saddle.
I have owned and trained other breeds too, and have never seen a temperament in those breeds you see in the Icelandics.
Have to also say.. they are not for everyone. Like any other breed,, you need to go see and try the one you like in person.

They may be small in height but but not in width... If Dyfra uses a treed saddle.. the Gullet Flair needs to be 13.2" wide!!! Wider that most 17 hand Draft horses I know.

The only thing I can add... is if you are interested to find out what they are like, go ride one!

My body can only handle gaited breeds now...and here in the US, finding a smaller super smooth breed that is hardy and will stay sound...lets just say, to me, Icelandic's fit that need the best.

Here is Dyfra, all off 12.3 hands tall.... first one is Bareback and the 2nd..yea she is a bit over weight but you can see how she takes up my leg.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/Bergere/dyframeeaug07.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/Bergere/dyfra/medyfrajune08ctoltsmall.jpg

[Liz1949]

Please can someone pop an Icelandic in a Jiffy-Bag and post it to Hungary for me???:D

I SO want to try one out!

Not fussed on the colour or anything, you know.....;)

I don't think there are ANY out here!

kis Vihar, there is at least one Icelandic breeder in Slovenia - not TOO far from you! The one I know of is a friend of my SO (who is Slovenian).

[Hammie]

They're also very comfortable! The longest I've spent on a horse in one day is 5 hours, that was on an Icelandic and I wasn't the slightest bit sore the next day. :) I think it's a combination of their shape and their gaits - rising trot seems pointless on an Icelandic.

[palmerlover52]

Oh god....I've always been convinced I want a big flashy baroque looking type horse....but....well serious day dreaming thoughts going on here ;)

[Wally]

Well I nearly went out and bought a seriously flashy baroque horse, then thought, what would they do in this climate, they'd hate me for it. So i looked for something able to do fancy footwork and didn't have to look far,

The Icelandic has everything, fancy footwork, mettle and the ability to laugh in the face of our climate.

[laceyfreckle]

I only came on here for a read, as I'm often fascinated by gaited horses....now I want to go and ride one! :p Have ridden horses that pace in the past and have liked the pacing. Wouldn't have thought there are many Icy's in any RS's in Essex though :mad: Anyone know of any??

[flump1967]

RIGHT! That's enough of this! My keyboard is already wet with drool, anymore and it will short circuit :D
I am converted and so (I think) is Joyscarer. What we want to know is - where can we go to meet some of these paragons up close and personal? We went to an Icy show a while back which was great but we need MORE!!!
Any thoughts?

PS Thanks for making me 2 years younger Joyscarer!

[Joyscarer]

PS Thanks for making me 2 years younger Joyscarer!

All part of the service me dear and nothing to do with me being crap with names! :p


But yes, we would like to get up close and personal.

Anyone know of any places in the south of England that do hacking on icy's? :confused:

[horseygal90]

Is there anywhere in Bucks that has them? Looking at this thread I'd love to meet one.

[*IcyRider*]

Flump1967 you can come and meet my tribe of hairys if you would like :) Im not far from the NF :) Pm me :)

[Joyscarer]

Flump1967 you can come and meet my tribe of hairys if you would like :) Im not far from the NF :) Pm me :)

Just PM'd you myself asking about that posibilty :D

[*IcyRider*]

hehe ohhh yes :D tis all fine,the hairy ones will think there fame has spread!

[8-legged-pony]

I have a question! (Dont' think it's been asked/answered so far)

Why are Icelandic Horses generally ridden in a drop noseband? Whenever I see photos of them they're always in them.

Love seeing all your photos of them - they sound like an amazing breed :D

[palmerlover52]

Jealousjealousjealous. South of England Icelandic hacking anyone know of??

[flump1967]

Ooooooooooh! Yes please Icyrider, will pm you :D Can me and Joyscarer come as a double act? :p

[CER1389]

Why are Icelandic Horses generally ridden in a drop noseband? Whenever I see photos of them they're always in them.


But mostly I think it's a traditional training thing thats stuck.
Because the farmers used to ride them all day (well with spare horses). The horses were trained that with a noseband on they were in work mode. When they stopped for rests the farmers would unclip the reins (if you notice most Icelandics are still ridden with clip on reins) and pull the nosebands straight off. The horses then knew they could eat. They wouldn't go far as they would be in their "herd" still (albeit just the 3 horses the farmer took, or 9 or 12 horses if travelling with others). When the time came to remount the farmer would just slip the nosebands back on and clip the reins on.
The tempreature would be far too cold to be taking off gloves and undo buckles, plus too time consuming with 3 horses to re bridle. The moment the nosebands are back on, the horses know they must stop eating (the bits are on seperate headpieces which they keep on) and return to work mode. Obviously you cannot just "slip on" a cavesson noseband, but it is possible with a drop nose band.

The use of a drop noseband is used partially through tradition and also Icelandics are strong, and can be quite fiery. So a drop noseband prevents them from getting their tongue over the bit.

Asethetically, drop nose bands look nicer on an Icelandics face shape

And for ease as they have such hairy faces, it's hard enough to do up a drop nose band with their beard in the way, without having to battle the hair higher up!

Someone may be able to correct me and tell me that drop nosebands originate from some other means, but that was always my understanding.

[CER1389]

My braking system - otherwise Haakon can wear his bit on his ears!

Fx

*snigger*
You've done that as well then Frances! :D:p

[8-legged-pony]

But mostly I think it's a traditional training thing thats stuck.
Because the farmers used to ride them all day (well with spare horses). The horses were trained that with a noseband on they were in work mode. When they stopped for rests the farmers would unclip the reins (if you notice most Icelandics are still ridden with clip on reins) and pull the nosebands straight off. The horses then knew they could eat. They wouldn't go far as they would be in their "herd" still (albeit just the 3 horses the farmer took, or 9 or 12 horses if travelling with others). When the time came to remount the farmer would just slip the nosebands back on and clip the reins on.
The tempreature would be far too cold to be taking off gloves and undo buckles, plus too time consuming with 3 horses to re bridle. The moment the nosebands are back on, the horses know they must stop eating (the bits are on seperate headpieces which they keep on) and return to work mode. Obviously you cannot just "slip on" a cavesson noseband, but it is possible with a drop nose band.

The use of a drop noseband is used partially through tradition and also Icelandics are strong, and can be quite fiery. So a drop noseband prevents them from getting their tongue over the bit.

Asethetically, drop nose bands look nicer on an Icelandics face shape

And for ease as they have such hairy faces, it's hard enough to do up a drop nose band with their beard in the way, without having to battle the hair higher up!

Someone may be able to correct me and tell me that drop nosebands originate from some other means, but that was always my understanding.

Aha, that makes sense! I thought it must have been a tradition of some sort as nearly every photo of an Icelandic involved a drop noseband! Thanks for the explanation :D

[starrynight]

I've heard they are fantastic! My dream is to go to Iceland and ride though the snow and countryside one an icelantic pony/horse (I know they are pony sized - aren't they - but many people call them horses...so which one is it? sorry if this is somewhere in this post but i haven't read it all!!)

[*IcyRider*]

Anyone else wanna come and meet a mad crowd of hairy beasts?!

Oooo i can see it now the deck chairs in the field,wine chocky more wine!

Seriously though anyone in the south who is interested or wants to meet some your than welcome to come and visit :)

I cant offer a ride till Jan when the mummy horse returns but if before then you'd like to come and say hello then please do the more converted the better :D

[Joyscarer]

I have just Pm'd flumpy to try to get a date sorted.

Again much appreciate your offer. :cool:

[*IcyRider*]

I've heard they are fantastic! My dream is to go to Iceland and ride though the snow and countryside one an icelantic pony/horse (I know they are pony sized - aren't they - but many people call them horses...so which one is it? sorry if this is somewhere in this post but i haven't read it all!!)

Horse hun :) btw its spelt Icelandic :)

[*IcyRider*]

Woo itl be fun,you will want one by the time you leave :D once the bug has bitten you can get rid :p

[8-legged-pony]

Anyone else wanna come and meet a mad crowd of hairy beasts?!

Oooo i can see it now the deck chairs in the field,wine chocky more wine!

Seriously though anyone in the south who is interested or wants to meet some your than welcome to come and visit :)

I cant offer a ride till Jan when the mummy horse returns but if before then you'd like to come and say hello then please do the more converted the better :D

I'd love to, only I'm a bit far away :( especially when I go back home to my mum's for christmas! If I ever find myself in your neck of woods though..

[CER1389]

Oh yes. Ask Wally. I play this game about once every couple of years when I forgive and forget. I have learned this lesson so often now, I just use the sodding noseband. It seems easier!


Been there, done that with the chestnut mare!!...Rubber reins do not work sufficiently as a "bit" :rolleyes:

We jsut about manage the au natural look bareback to the field in walk, anything else...then we have a bit decorating the ears!

[starrynight]

Horse hun :) btw its spelt Icelandic :)

i thought that but started to doubt myself when i saw the spelling in the title of the post! Am i right height-wise though, they are under 15hh? I just remember mentioning it to my non-horsey family and they said "but if they are that height then why are they horses?" and i couldn't answer!

Anyway all my friends are always taking about holidays that they just went to get a tan and go drinking while i'd much rather go riding in Iceland! Saw a picture of it in a magazine a few years ago and have never been able to get it out of my head! Hopefully i'll be able to save up my money one day!!!

[Spiggly]

Re the drop nosebandd - it is true that they go into 'work mode' with it on, although the 2 i know do their utmost to tell you they are SOOOO tired before it goes on that they cant possibly do any work!

I rode one in iceland that was like a donkey, until the noseband went on and he turned into a firebreathing dragon! :D

[*IcyRider*]

Hehe its oki :)

Yeh well i have one 13.2 Icy and one 14.3 bum high Icy :) So its abit of a tricky one that !


I went for the youth camp in 05 and it was amazing.The best country ive ever been to.Its just fantastic.Hope to go for the next Landsmot,was going to go this year but family and horses have been in the way :D If you get the chance go!

[annareeves0]

Anyone else wanna come and meet a mad crowd of hairy beasts?!

Oooo i can see it now the deck chairs in the field,wine chocky more wine!

Seriously though anyone in the south who is interested or wants to meet some your than welcome to come and visit :)

I cant offer a ride till Jan when the mummy horse returns but if before then you'd like to come and say hello then please do the more converted the better :D

Ooooo me me me - can I come please? :D I tried really hard to get to the show in Verwood earlier in the year but after annoying some riders as I drove up and down the track they were trying to hack up, i just couldnt find it and went home :( Turned out I had found it, just didnt recognise it when i got there - grrrrr! Would love to have a look at the gaits etc.

[*IcyRider*]

Yeh sure :)

LOL nicks place is a bugger to find,took us 8 times of going down before we could do it without getting lost!


Hmmm perhaps a group of you should come lol The horses would love it,just have to stand there and pose,if your really lucky Hali would do his stallion rear hehe

[CER1389]

Ooooo me me me - can I come please? :D I tried really hard to get to the show in Verwood earlier in the year but after

Oh no :(
There will be more shows the beginning of next year, like the one at Easter.
Infact the Britsh Champs in June will be in Dorset.
I'm almost certainly there, and infact at any of the shows this year and I know *IcyRider* will be.
Obviously we'd love to meet you all before (although I'm in the East and don't have my own icey so I can't promise riding, I do have plans to come to *IcyRiders* if you all go to meet hers) but maybe the British Champs or any other show before that could be a chance for a big Icelandic meet?
Obviously no riding, but the chance to see some incredible horses in action!

[*IcyRider*]

Oooo yeh the BC's il be there :D Im hopefully going to get onto the world championship team to,so supporters would be good lol Wave a big banner! hehe

[gb050573]

Ponies in my view are for children, with a temperament to suit. You'd never put a child or nervous rider on some of the more firey Icelandics.

I'm not going to disagree that Icelandics are special, I've always had a soft spot for them since riding out several times on the Pentlands Icelandics. And I'm not going to insult the Icey lovers by referring to them as ponies, although I get the reasons why and was told a long time ago about the language thing.

BUT. Ponies are not all for children and I must disagree with that statement above. Many natives originating in this country are frequently ridden by adults. Not to say they can't be ridden by children, but adults choose to ride them. This does not make them horses. My Exmoor is most definitely a pony, but I am most definitely an adult. You'd never put a child or a nervous rider on some Exmoors, and yet there are Exmoors all over the country who are excelling in LR and FR so it's not an absolute by any degree. I suspect it's similar with Icelandics, although they can be larger so maybe a direct comparison cannot be made.

My point is, we all think our particular breed is special, and there is nothing negative about a pony being a pony, whether ridden by adults or children.

[CER1389]

You'd never put a child or a nervous rider on some Exmoors, and yet there are Exmoors all over the country who are excelling in LR and FR so it's not an absolute by any degree. I suspect it's similar with Icelandics, although they can be larger so maybe a direct comparison cannot be made.


Icelandics will never drop a child, they take their job very seriously. They work their hardest not to drop a child.
Yet I would only put a child on them if they were on a lead rein (or like one of ours, voice 'controlled') or if the child was a competant rider.
In the UK Youth classes there are some 8yr old children competing, but the horses are all genuine, lovely natured and do not put in the action that they would with an adult. And the children will have all learnt to ride on another breed first.

Icelandics just aren't first riddens. Even if they really try hard to be, they are just slightly too quick and slightly too strong. I would trust any of mine with a small child in our arena when I am on the ground either leading or them going off my voice.....but I would never let a child without 4 years riding experience, (or equivalent ability) ride one out on a hack.

[gb050573]

I totally take your point. Most Exmoors love children (although they rarely eat a whole one :p).

The point I'm trying to make is that there is a misconception in this country that if it's a pony it should only be ridden by a child, and I think this is maybe the reason why Icelandic owners are offended if their horses are called ponies. We should be trying to re-educate people to the thinking that ponies can be ridden by adults and children alike. I was getting the impression that people didn't like their Icelandics being referred to as ponies because this was somehow perceived as being an insult, when it shouldn't be.

I just call them Icelandics. No suffix required. Likewise with Exmoors.

[CER1389]

I totally take your point. Most Exmoors love children (although they rarely eat a whole one :p).

The point I'm trying to make is that there is a misconception in this country that if it's a pony it should only be ridden by a child, and I think this is maybe the reason why Icelandic owners are offended if their horses are called ponies. We should be trying to re-educate people to the thinking that ponies can be ridden by adults and children alike. I was getting the impression that people didn't like their Icelandics being referred to as ponies because this was somehow perceived as being an insult, when it shouldn't be.

I just call them Icelandics. No suffix required. Likewise with Exmoors.

I completley see your point, and unless I'm on here, I generally call them Icelandics or Iceys. I usually only use the term "Icelandic Horse" on here.

To an Icelandicer (is that a real term, I think I might have just made it up :p) the term pony is derogative. Which is why they see it as an insult for their horse to be called such.
Perhaps in the UK it isn't an insult, but the stereotype is still there, which I completley agree needs to change.
But I think the biggest point is the fact that the only thing "ponyish" about an Icelandic is there height. They are in no way "ponyish" which is why it is also insulting to refer to them as such (to many people. I personally quite like ponys so have no issue with it)

[avaadora]

;Just adding my two cents worth...


I adore Icelandics- they're beautiful to look at (all the colours of the rainbow- duns and silver dapples and chestnuts and roans!) and they have such beautiful movement. I've not had the luck to ride one yet (Pentland icelandics don't ride out anymore it's just a livery yard :( ) but I hope to soon and perhaps even to own one someday... along with my highland pony and cleveland bay and...;) But if anyone near edinburgh has one and would like some one to ride it (Me! Me! Me!:D)

With regards to the horse/ pony debate- I call them horses because that's what the people of Iceland call them. Same with a Fjord horse. Now you may say that technically a horse 14.2hh and below is called a pony this is not strictly true. Arabs can be 14.2hh but are always referred to as horses. Minature horses are minature horses because proportionally they are horses but very small. Also when a clydesdale foal is growing it is always a horse even when it is technically under 14.2hh heightwise. A pony is almost a type as well as a size. Just like a cob is a type or a hunter. Pony proportions tend to be slightly different to horses (although I couldn't tell you off the top of my head the exact differences). I'm not sure of the proportions of Iceys but I'm going to call them horses because there is no word for horse in the language which originally described them.

But don't get me wrong- I love ponies!!

[gb050573]

I've not had the luck to ride one yet (Pentland icelandics don't ride out anymore it's just a livery yard :( )

I know - nightmare. Used to be so much fun, I was devastated when they closed down for the treks.

But if anyone near edinburgh has one and would like some one to ride it (Me! Me! Me!:D)

There are loads of Icelandics near Edinburgh - get yourself on the Icelandic Society website - there's a herd near West Linton....

[dragonfarmgirl]

I've been on the IHSGB site and applied to join forum in the hope that there is some kind owner near enough for me to go and meet their Horsey.

I've also found a breeder over in Anglesy, which is just about near enough for a visit. Do any of you Icy folk know anything about him ? Is he a friendly type ?

If I did go down the Icy route my budget would be 4 to 5k. Would this get me anything good ? love all colours but really love thick mane and tail.

[*IcyRider*]

Hia,


Yep the man in Anglesy is good and has some nice horses.Cant think of his name atm but ive ridden a few of his horses and they were lovely.


4-5k will get you a nice riding horse that could do abit of competion.With all the bank problems atm your more likely to get a great horse really cheap.I know of a few nice ones for sale.A friend of mine has a chestnut mare she is selling as she's moved to NZ.Lovely horse needs abit of work though due to being over bent etc...They will want about 6500 for her though.She is really nice and has good movement so hence her price.I almost bought a new sport horse for 10k whom im hoping is going to go down in price with the credit crunch so that i can have her :D So its having a good affect on us wanting to buy them!

[Joyscarer]

Well it looks like we have a mini meet on our hands :D

I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to meet these beautiful horses in person having seen what they are capable of doing. This will fill in a big blank for me - oh and a pub visit after would be most welcome too :p

[*IcyRider*]

hehe will be fun!My lot dont look very elegant atm,your see them in there natrual state! Fat hairy and couverd in mud! :D

Ahh yes the pub,very important that!


Looking forward to it wil be nice to meet a few NR members,i might even remember you from the show!My memorys going though tis old age!So chances are il be like huh :confused: :)

[dragonfarmgirl]

Thanks Icyrider. I'll give him a call ( he is Kjartan Davidsson)

The chestnut sounds lovely but a bit too costly. Also we have a rigg so geldings only. Thats why I'm selling my beautiful haflinger mare.:(:(

[DarenC1]

It's the only breed of horse I can get on unaided! :p :D

(Actually, that's not quite true - there was a great wee black cob-type I used to ride that I could get on from the ground. Just.)

[Twigletz7]

But I think the biggest point is the fact that the only thing "ponyish" about an Icelandic is there height. They are in no way "ponyish" which is why it is also insulting to refer to them as such (to many people. I personally quite like ponys so have no issue with it)

I have just read this thread and agree that Icelandics soud like amazing horses, however I have to add that in my nievety (sp?) if I saw a pic of an Icelandic, I would think they looked v.ponyish.

Its not just the height but also the proportion and the thickness of their mane and coat, obviously evolved for living in harsh climes much like british native ponies:)

[DarenC1]

Anyone else from my neck of the woods ridden at Pentland Hills Icelandics?

First hack out - a mere eight weeks after I first sat on a horse!

After the first canter, I felt totally and utterly safe and secure on my wee chap. Nevermind that it wasn't all that high to fall from anyway, I never felt for a moment that I might fall off, even with the climbs downhill!

They're great wee horses (and since the Icelandics have no word for "pony", they should be referred to as horses). Pity I never got the chance to do the Pentland Hills ride again, though... :(

[CER1389]

if I saw a pic of an Icelandic, I would think they looked v.ponyish.


Ok I will admit that pictured in the middle of December, covered in mud, then they do look especially like a pony, and even UK icelandics under saddle look remarkably Ponyish in build and a lot of the time in movement, but what if you saw this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0Xw1RhuJDc&feature=related
horse or pony?

Now I admit I've selected a video that shows THE best. It starts with slow tolt, then goes into changes (slow tolt on short sides and extended tolt on long sides) with a lap of fast tolt to finish.
I got goosebumps just watching it.
You're average Icelandic hack isn't going to be able to produce that, but I deliberatley chose one that will highlight the best, least ponyish movement.

When people see a horse such as the one in the video, do you think pony? or do you think horse? or do you think omg what on earth is that!?!? :p or...omg that poor pony is lame, look it's crippled in trot ;):p

[*IcyRider*]

:eek: oh its lame,most certinly! How can he ride that poor LAME PONIE!! :D

[*IcyRider*]

ok no my reaction to him is "holy f**k"! i want!That fast tolt is just amazing!Wonder if you get the g force riding it :rolleyes:

[Wally]

When I say "pony" I refere to temperament and disposition more than size. That's how I view a pony. The Exmoor we had was certainly no child's mount. Charlie is a Shetland but not suiable for a child to ride in any way, shape or form.

To me a pony is a small docile thing for a child to ride.

Pony seems to come from the French apparently from Fr. poulenet "little foal" .the Icelanders only have one type of horse, so they did not need another word apart from their good old "hest", but I guess the different breeds you find in England look so different that there was a need for a distinction between small and big breeds....and the same probably goes for the status of the pony - the Icelanders didn't have a smaller horse to look down on, so nobody laughs at you for riding a pony

[Wally]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/IMG_5229.jpg

Here's Fákur, handsome blokey thing in a cavesson, because he's so polite he wouldn't dream of needing a drop! ;)..........whispers.....and anyway, when he does take a notion to go there isn't a chance of stopping him his is one strong guy. :D :D

That bridle is the one you might have heard me mention it was made in about 1968. Still in use and still in great condition.

[*IcyRider*]

Ohhh he is lovely chap.Looks like he's a proper Icy not 1 of these new spindley legged fine beasties!

Amazing about the bridle,i must admit i would be abit like :eek: what ifit broke when riding but it looks in lovely condition! :)

[Wally]

belly's goin' ta get you!

[*IcyRider*]

LMAO! yes he's a little round but wuvely for it! Im not sure if mine are fat or just hairy :confused: Hali has about 3-4 inches of hair,its mad!

[Spiggly]

In the UK Youth classes there are some 8yr old children competing, but the horses are all genuine, lovely natured and do not put in the action that they would with an adult. And the children will have all learnt to ride on another breed first.

Icelandics just aren't first riddens. Even if they really try hard to be, they are just slightly too quick and slightly too strong. I would trust any of mine with a small child in our arena when I am on the ground either leading or them going off my voice.....but I would never let a child without 4 years riding experience, (or equivalent ability) ride one out on a hack.

Of course they are first riddens! How else would an entire country learn to ride?

[*IcyRider*]

Its a little bit different seeing as its the only horse in the country and nobody started off with some dinky ponie.Its natrual to them where as riding Icy's here is quite un heard off unless you know about them and where to look.Its bred into Icelanders,its what they do.So for other countrys such as this they are not first riddens.Id never stick a 5 year old on 1 and say right off you go.Even if they were off the lead rein on there own ponie.It is very different.

[Wally]

This is how it's done, just put a small saddle on to fit that little bottom and away you go!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gG4NwU24FXI

Notice the horse stops the instand the child slips and then the trainers puts him straight again and off they go, That's an Icelandic for you, they really don't want to drop you.

[CER1389]

Of course they are first riddens! How else would an entire country learn to ride?

I was talking to N about this earlier.
There is a HUGE difference between learning to ride in the UK and learning to ride in Iceland. I haven't watched the video that Wally has posted, but I'm guessing it is the one of a stallion in a round pen with a small tot on board. The stallion is so in tune and sensitive that the moment the tot is unbalanced he stops. You know D who we have on our yard, and our little tots ride him off the lead rein. But I don't consider that "riding" because D is either following me or going completley off my voice commands. It's fantastic for the kids as they learn balance and confidence, but not once will I allow them to hold reins etc.
In Iceland so many of the children grow up on horse farms and are sitting on the front of the saddles being held by parents etc. They ride regularly. If out hacking it will be in herds with a saint of an Icelandic following the others and never quickening with the tot. In much the same way their are saints of Welsh Sec A's who go out hunting with teeny tots on them.
Knowing how D reacts, should he be ridden by the tots for more than 2 days in a row....and knowing that however much I trust D in the school, I wouldn't let him hack out with children on board.
Icelandics are not first riddens, not in the UK.

They are fabulous for on the lead rein and would never let a child fall off, and are very astute and sensitive if a child is 8+ and has learnt to ride and is a competant rider on another breed then an Icelandic is fine.
But I would never suggest an Icelandic as being the first horse the child learns to hack on, and learns to steer and do figures of eights etc. It's fine in Iceland where the child will learn on trained horses and in "herds" out hacking, but in the UK we don't have such horses or such environments for learning.

The type of riding we teach in the UK is incredibly different to the type of riding needed in Iceland, therefore for teaching a child to ride in this country, they are not suitable. You will have seen one of the only children in this country who will learn to ride on an Icelandic, but you look at the Icey they teach on, who the childs dad is, and what type of competition he will do as he's older (should he choose to ride) and thats entirely different to a UK definition of a first ridden....which is a pony that a child can learn to competatnly walk, trot, canter, jump and hack as well as learn full steering.

Having watched the video, the child is not learning with reins, and it would appear she also lacks stirrups. She is gaining balance etc. The stallion is going off the instructors voice. Now I don't know the childs history, she might be fully competant with reins and steering before doing this. But no riding lesson in the UK would work in this way. It is however, how we've taught the tots I know to ride on D and it is a marvellous way of teaching.

[KateWooten]

When I say "pony" I refere to temperament and disposition more than size. That's how I view a pony.

I guess that's what kind of gets on my nerves. When I say pony, I mean literally, pony according to its definition - smaller equine, under 14.2 - with no other connotations or associations which may be personal to me. Just simply a smaller equine.

There is a problem with associating a whole host of other stuff - behaviours, temperaments, dispositions, personal experience, with a word which already has a definition. We then need a new word to replace the old word which has become a whole lot more than it needed to be !

Another problem - and I see this a lot. If we assume something about a 'pony' temperament, then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. We can say, "well, how about Teddy O'Connor" ... "ah, but he wasn't really a pony, he didn't have that pony temperament did he ?"

And "how about icelandics ?" ... "ah, but they're not really ponies, they don't have that pony temperament.."

And "how about the refined sec A, shetland derivatives, known as 'miniatures' ?" ... "ah.. but they're not really ponies, they don't have that pony temperament...."

You see ? Every time we get a pony which does not fit the alleged stereotype, we remove it from the group 'Ponies', declare it a horse, and then happily reconfirm our own myth of the 'pony' temperament since it now applies to 'all the rest of them'.

[ShariN]

I have a question! (Dont' think it's been asked/answered so far)

Why are Icelandic Horses generally ridden in a drop noseband? Whenever I see photos of them they're always in them.

Love seeing all your photos of them - they sound like an amazing breed :D

All my photos are in a Dr Cook Bitless bridle or a Lodgepole rope halter, no bit or drop nose band.

As for the "pony" issue ...here is my take on it..

If the Equine is built for adults to ride wither its 12.2 hands or 18 hands...its a Horse
If the Equine is built for only small children to ride or to small for anyone to ride.. its' a pony.:D

[floppy]

I have 4 ponies :-) and only one of them is a shetland pony, the rest are icelandics...in iceland they call them horses, but coming from riding big horses to owning icelandics i refer to them as ponies as they are from the size a pony...and i mean when you see the little things standing in the fields with a big fat winter coat on them they look like ponies :-D

what makes icelandics so special? they cost alot of money to buy and are small horses so when you have a mum like mine she doesnt have a heart attack watching me race around at break neck speed on my small horse:-D

(she refused to watch me ride when i was doing showjumping and dressage...big horses very scary)

and otherwise...they are very special..just like any other breed to any other fanatic :-)

[Kazza_B]

I love icelandics....though i only know an icey cross, hes 13hh and carries me (10st) no problems.....no problems atall espescially if hes sees an open field that he quite likes the look of... atleast youve always got plenty of mane to hang on to! :D

I always call them horses, i once called an icey a pony once in front of her owner and got the telling off of a lifetime...never again shall i make that mistake!

Im the other way around tho, when i ride my highland out people stop and say 'ooh what a lovely horse' and im like 'thank you *cough* hes a pony!' Pony power!;)

[Kazza_B]

If the Equine is built for adults to ride wither its 12.2 hands or 18 hands...its a Horse
If the Equine is built for only small children to ride or to small for anyone to ride.. its' a pony.:D

So does that make Highland and Fell Ponies...horses? :confused:

[ShariN]

So does that make Highland and Fell Ponies...horses? :confused:

Yup!:D

[ShariN]

Outstanding Frances!!!!

Dyfra is also an Odd duck but boy,, she took care of me when I first started riding months after that accident. It totally caught me off guard but so very pleased!

Glad to hear your guy is the same way.:D
What's so special?

.... riding my chap who I trained since he was 3 years old. After 12 years with the old fruit, I know we are a team since I haven't been able to ride him since August - prolapsed vertebrae awaiting urgent surgery in January.

On Boxing Day, I drugged myself up to the eyeballs and took him out for a ride. He looked after me as if I were made of glass and never put a foot wrong. This is a horse who always has to be first no matter what, has been known to rear if you ask him to stand still and is fast, fast, fast. On Boxing Day he pottered like a donkey on the beach with his valuable passenger, me! I was a complete and utter passenger, unable to give much input but to stay onboard and he didn't canter at the usual place (until I asked), walked the minute I tickled his neck (our language) and didn't do irritating jog to catch up with his friends but stayed well behind at a pace I could cope with that didn't hurt.

I finally realised I had trained this horse. We are a team. He was listening to me and caring about how I felt. The best feeling on earth. I had a stupid grin on my face all the way home! WHen I took my feet out of the stirrups, he stopped dead waiting for me to get off while everyone else went past. The best Christmas present ever!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/Frances144/francemaybe050.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/Frances144/francemaybe048.jpg

[Doeylicious]

This is really, really interesting! I have been quite intrigued about Icelandics for a while, had never heard of the breed before joining! But they sound really incredible.

Um just wondering, Hampshire is not too far from Surrey, I think...is there any chance I could come and meet the Icy horses too *IcyRider*? I will pm you too in case you don't check this :) just would love to experience the breed first hand, especially to see that tolt!

[*IcyRider*]

Replied :) Teh answer is Yesh :D...i dont think its many miles,you can always make a day of it if you would like :) Plenty to do, i may run at you with a wheelbarrow and a poo picker though :D

[floppy]

my little icelandic stallion (he'll be 2 in MAy)i find the best so far from my horses.

i visited him alot in the first 4 weeks of his life, got him to pick up his feet and allow himself to be briefly groomed, then i hardly saw him until he was brought in to be seperated from mum.

Then i spent a few days training him (10 mins a go) to pop his nose into a headcollar and let him be led and then he went out onto a big field with 10 other stallion foals and due to very poo weather i couldnt hardly visit him.

I visit him may 2x a month and when i come he gallops up the field all by himself to say hello he'll even stop playing to say hi to me, he's totally respectful and wont cross the lines into my territory. I can walk into the field of the 10 foals and the only one that will come to me is my foal and sometimes his little buddy comes too.

Then when i think of my little shetland mare...when i walk into the field she always comes for a cuddle...but if you turn you back on her you either have her tweaking your bum or she is constantly tipping the wheelbarrow (only when it is full though:rolleyes:) over or just letting herself out of the stable... or basically being in the way all the time

then my icelandic mare she observes everything you do from a small distance, will come and say hello but doesnt barge in on you like little shettie.

then i dont know if it lies int he way one trains the icelandics that they are so respectfull...or what but i would certainly buy another icelandic before i considered buying another shetalnd pony.

[CER1389]

i dont know if it lies int he way one trains the icelandics that they are so respectfull

It's possible to mis train it, but I think it's part of an Icelandics basic understanding: to respect people. It's why they're so special and so respected in Iceland.

[Wally]

then my icelandic mare she observes everything you do from a small distance, will come and say hello but doesnt barge in on you like little shettie.

Keeping the two breeds together is very handy , as the Icelanidc way of thinking rubs off on the gobby Shetlands.

[floppy]

mm..the only thing the little gobble has learnt from my icey mare is to lay the ears back at feeding time and tell the other to get her own ''plate''

[Kc Mac]

Wow u guys have got me really excited now - im doing the BHS challenge ride in Iceland in august and sooooooo loooking forward to it!:D Just gotta get on with raising the sponsorship money............

Ive always wanted to ride an Icelandic horse and visit the country so figured the best way was do it all in one go and raise money and its coming around quick! So looking forward to experiencing the tolt!!!:D:D

[Wally]

You'll come back with a very silly grin.

[Stassy]

I often get asked if my Fjord is an Icelandic. No but he has an Icelandic name :p

[Wally]

Hákon gets mistaken for a Fjord!

[Millies Mum]

wow wow wow have only just now read the whole post,,,,, fantastic really love them, think we need a south west to hampshire meet,,,,,, :):):)
thank you every body for all the info,,,,,
the videos were all amazing...
:):):)
MM

[*IcyRider*]

wow wow wow have only just now read the whole post,,,,, fantastic really love them, think we need a south west to hampshire meet,,,,,, :):):)
thank you every body for all the info,,,,,
the videos were all amazing...
:):):)
MM



Oooo i agree,a meet would be fun.Perhaps its something we should seriously do???

[Millies Mum]

yes is not toooo far away,, went to bournemouth airport, only took about 3 half hours,,, not too long,,,
see what every body thinks,,,
:):)
MM

[josiex]

I've ridden an icelandic, he was quite lazy but one he got going he was a really nice ride, it was just like riding a little pony to me.. i jumped him too nothing bi or anything he is chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail, his mane is so long its stunning!:D

[*IcyRider*]

Do you remember his name? :)

[charlotte+jill!]

*IcyRider* would never put down anyones horses directly, and I too ride many horses that aren't Icelandics quite enjoyably.

QUITE.....QUITE.... ?!?!?

I'll let Scooby and Dennis know they a quite enjoyable............. We know this comment will pass Dennis by :o but it won't pass Scooby so easy now will it .......

HUMPH!

:p

[Bronya]

There was a debate a few pages back about whether they were horses or ponies. To me an icelandic would be a horse because of its nature. I love ponies because they are fun, cheeky and have a healthy dose of self-preservation, which includes that whole fight/flight thing. I love that they are usually amazing jumpers, and that they are so adapted to our climate and terrain. I even love that you have to earn their respect, it isn't just granted because you're a human. Strange though it may seem I like that my pony squeals with joy when she sees a jump, then bounces around the arena for a while 'till I can calm her down. She makes me laugh!
The icelandic you describe is like my TB but without the flight instinct! I love her too but for a different purpose - she's relaxing, reliable and calm. I can ride her on a loose rein and she'll follow my directions without argument. We can go out for hours and hours, and just wander, both enjoying each others' company. To me that's a horse thing, as is being more human-focused. My horse is jealous of anyone around me that I might spend time with. She is fiercely loyal and very loving. Pony just wants to be loved, but isn't fussed if she's not the only one!

[Sierra]

Meh. Im afraid I think that Icelandics are ponies. They are only called horses because there is no word for 'pony'...which doesnt automatically make them a pony in my eyes.
But, each to their own and I'm not really bothered about it.

Icelandics are amazing. Dallas, the Icelandic I knew, was more human then pony - she was my best friend. I used to lead rides on her and she was the most amazing pony in the world. Fast enough to leave the huge 17 handers in our dust but I trusted her with my life. I could get off her in the middle of the woods and leave her there...and come back and find her exactly when I left her. She would prance and dance with me but as soon as you put a kid on her back, she was a plod. She could spin on the spot, race away, stand for ages and challenged me every day. She gave me the confidence to ride a horse who scared me.

Fantastic little pony. If Icelandics on the whole are anything like her, then I would kill for one!