Icelandic Horse Association Australia
Stall: 12, 13 & 14, Kelato Animal Health Breed Village
Icelandic Horses are the breed of the Vikings. They have been purebred for more than 1000 years. Icelandic Horses are a very unique breed. They are blessed with one or two extra gaits, Tölt, and for many also Pace. Tölt is a natural four-beat gait where one hoof always stays on the ground making it very smooth for the rider as there is no moment of suspension. Speeds can range from a slow trot to a fast canter. Pace, or flying pace is a two beat lateral gait that can be as fast as a gallop.
Icelandic Horses are small horses, with an average height of 13-14 hh. They are built and bred to carry heavy weight, so don’t let their size fool you! They carry full grown men through steep terrain in Iceland with ease.
The Icelandic Horse is an extremely versatile horse that can compete in many disciplines. They are incredibly strong, intelligent, powerful and spirited but also very gentle, kind and friendly. Worldwide they are successful in a variety of disciplines including jumping, dressage and endurance. In Europe and America, they are also ridden in Icelandic Horse competitions which focus on the Tölt and Flying Pace.
Icelandic Horses also make incredible trail riding and therapy horses. They really are a horse for the whole family!
Icelandic Horses can be found all over the world. There are over 250,000 horses registered worldwide. In Australia, we heading towards 400 registered horses. The official breeding goal for the Icelandic Horse includes “a healthy, fertile and durable riding horse. Robust and yet elegant with 5 excellent gaits.
Icelandic Horses come in 40 different colours with up to 100 variations and only a few exceptions like Appaloosa spots.