Size
The Icelandic Horse is smaller than most breeds.
It ranges in size from 12 hands to 14.2 hands and weighs about 800 pounds.
Despite
its smaller size, the Icelandic is classified as a horse., not a pony. Icelandics
can carry 1/3 of their weight, while most larger breeds can only carry 1/5 of their weight as a maximum. Icelandics have also been known to out-pull an ordinary horse 1.6 per pound of body weight.
Gaits
Icelandic
horses are typically 4- and 5-gaited. They walk, trot, canter, tolt, and flying pace.
The
tolt is a smooth four-beat gait in which all four feet move in the same pattern as in the walk, with higher action and more
speed. While all Icelandics have the ability to tolt, some are considered natural
tolters because that it the gait they prefer. Others are considered natural trotters.
The
flying pace is a two-beat gait in which the front and hind legs on the same side move forward and back at the same time. Horses have been clocked going faster than 35 mph at this gait!
Colors
One
of the best traits of the Icelandic Horse is their surprising range of colors and markings.
There are duns, bays, grays, blacks, palominos, chestnuts, and pintos 42 recognized colors, in fact.
Because
of the extreme cold in Iceland, these horses grow a
very long winter coat 4 inches! However, in the summer, their coats are sleek
and shiny. No matter what time of year, though, they have an abundant mane and
tail.
Life Span
Icelandic
horses dont fully mature until they are about 7 years old. In fact, most are
not ridden until they are at least 4 years old because they grow slower than most breeds.
In contrast, they reach their best performance in their twenties. Some
have been known to live well into their thirties and forties!
