THE ICELANDIC HORSE

From the HorseTV Global Archives, we bring you the good-natured and resilient Icelandic horse, which is also an incredibly beautiful breed. Often sporting a gorgeous mane, the Icelandic horse can be found in 40 distinct colors and many more patterns.

The Icelandic horse is capable of all the usual gaits of any other horse – the walk, trot, and canter. However, they possess two unique gaits, the tölt and the skeið, that are thought to have developed in response to a gene mutation.

When Icelandic horses perform the tölt, at least one foot is always in contact with the ground. This fluid movement helps stabilize the ride, removing the usual bounce that a rider experiences and providing a smoother riding experience. Watch and learn about the horses of Iceland, their history and heritage.