Icelandic Pony Breed

From: Horse Breeds

Icelandic Pony
This beautiful horse may be small but it is incredibly strong, sturdy and surefooted over the toughest of terrains and is able to cover uneven ground at speed with ease.

Originates
The breed originates in Iceland

Height
12 to 13.3 HH

Colour
Icelandic ponies can be bay, black, chestnut, brown, grey and dun.

Conformation

The head is fairly large with a generous eye and fairly small ears.
The neck is short and strong.
The shoulders are sloping and powerful.
The back is short and strong and fairly broad.
The body is compact.
The hindquarters are powerful and well rounded.
The limbs are short and strong.
The tail is well set on and both the mane and tail are thick.
The girth is deep.

Uses
Icelandic ponies are a good all round horse capable of driving and riding.

History
The Icelandic ponies were taken to Iceland by Viking settlers and are thought to be of Scandinavian origin, they have had very few influences with other breeds due to the Parliament of the time forbidding it after some unsuccessful attempts were made to improve the breed, in so doing the Icelandic ponies have retained their original characteristics of being intelligent and quick thinking animals who have toughness and strength combined with a wonderful kind and calm temperament.

They survive very successfully in harsh winters helped by their thick coats and dense manes and tough survival instincts and are known to happily cross icy rivers, treacherous ground and have strength enough to carry a grown man with ease.

They are used for farm work mainly in the low lands of Iceland close to the coastline where they also transport loads as well as by the farmers to round up their sheep, cattle and other Icelandic ponies.