Don't call them ponies! :-)
The Vikings brought with them domesticated animals to Iceland, including the Icelandic horse. The horse came with them from Norway, but it's origins go all the way back to Mongolia.
The Icelandic horse is not big but it is very strong and exceptionally sturdy, healthy and tolerates bad weather.
Due to it's friendliness and curiousity it has become very popular and there are now more Icelandic horses around the world than in Iceland.
There are strict rules for importing horses and those in Iceland who own a horse and take part in the world championship for the Icelandic horse, often held in Germany, are not allowed to bring their horses back to Iceland. Therefore they have to sell it after the race.
The breed is known for its five different gaits; walk, trot, gallop, tolt and pace. It's not the only horse that does tolt but it is the only horse that is shown doing five gaits in shows and contests.
Although the Vikings used to ride the horse they knew it was also good for other things as well, namely eating. In the year 1000 when the people in Iceland became Christian they agreed to the new religion with three conditions, one of them was that we were still allowed to eat horse meat! Tender horse is one of the best steaks you can get! You should try to ride and dine an Icelandic horse!
Contact me if you want to experience the Icelandic horse on a great horse riding tour!
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