ICELANDIC PONY

Breed of pony descended from ancient horses brought to Iceland from Norway by the Vikings in the 9th century. The Icelandic pony stands about 123 to 132 cm (about 48 to 52 in, or 12 to 13 hands) high at the withers. (the high part of the back, located between the shoulder blades), and weighs about 380 to 410 kg (about 835 to 900 lb). A compact but powerful body and strong legs enable this pony to carry a full-grown man at rapid speed over a long distance. The neck is short and muscular, and the head is straight with a wide forehead and large jaws. The ears are small and the nostrils flared. The Icelandic pony's coat, which grows almost to the ground in winter, appears in almost any color or color combination. Its small stature qualifies it as a pony, which is characterized by heights from 102 to 153 cm (40 to 60 in, or 10 to 15 hands) at the withers. Icelanders, however, call it the Icelandic horse. The Icelandic pony is five-gaited, a quality unique to this sure-footed pony. Its five gaits are the walk; the trot, for crossing rough country; the gallop; the skeid, covering short distances at a fast pace; and the tölt, a running walk known to many horse-show competitors and fans. Few horse breeds have maintained as much purity as the Icelandic pony. The extinct Lofoten breed, from which the Icelandic pony descends, was influenced by the ancient tarpan and the tundra horses, both ancestors of modern horse breeds, and the Asian wild horse. Shetland ponies were crossed with Icelandic ponies for a brief period, but there has been no outside influence on this breed for more than 800 years. Selective breeding of the Icelandic pony has been practiced periodically by farmers to strengthen its best characteristics. Since the Vikings settled Iceland, this pony has been used as a pack (cargo-carrying), harness (cart-pulling), or riding animal, and for meat. Because the Icelandic pony can be raised outside during the Icelandic winter while cattle cannot, horse meat has been a staple of the local diet for centuries. The Icelandic pony also is used in sports events, including racing, cross-country riding, and dressage (guiding a horse through a series of complex maneuvers with slight movements of the hands, legs, and weight by the rider). About half of all Icelandic ponies live in a semi-wild state, roaming free in open areas of the country year-round.

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