The Icelandic Horse

The horses of Iceland are the original Viking horses and one of the purest horse breeds in the world. The breed has been isolated on the rugged island in the North-Atlantic since the settlement, or over 1000 years ago, hardly any genetic input from other breeds if any at all.

As the first settlers came to Iceland they could only bring a limited number of livestock with them, and most probably chose their very best animals. Thus, it is very likely that the Icelandic horse has its origin in a herd of preselected, high quality individuals who had to survive the rough trip on a Viking longship across the Atlantic, before taking on their role as “the most indispensable servant” for the first Icelanders in this vast, wild, and entirely unknown country.

Photo: Christiane Slawik

Due to the geographical isolation of Iceland, very few equine diseases are found on the island today and no vaccinations are needed. However, this means that no horse or other equine can enter the country at all. Once a horse leaves Iceland it can never return and anybody travelling to Iceland is also kindly, but also very seriously, requested not to bring any used equipment such as gloves, chaps or riding boots, and to disinfect all other gear (

read the complete guidelines here

).

The Icelandic horse is an extremely versatile breed. These strong, intelligent and smooth horses are successful in many disciplines and can do well in endurance racing, carriage pulling and a great for therapeutic riding. Some are excellent jumpers and many are trained to quite a high level in dressage.

Today, the most common use for the Icelandic horse is as a general riding horse. A horse that the whole family can enjoy as a trustworthy and loved companion: a horse that will take you on long and short rides through the woods of Germany, along the beaches of Denmark or in the highlands of Iceland.

Photo: Carolin Giese

Icelandic horses can be found all over the world. As of 2024, over 300,000 Icelandic horses are registered around the world, thereof approximately 40% in Iceland. They have amazing adaptation skills and do well in the ice-cold climates of Greenland and Alaska, but also down under in Australia and New Zealand. They can even be found in Hawaii.

It can surely be said that the horses of Iceland are the best ambassadors for the little island in the north. They represent the country and culture well and encourage their human friends to visit Iceland at least once, if not regularly.