Nikki here! A recent customer enquiry unexpectedly turned into a fascinating chat about Icelandic horses in Australia. After leaving a review on our site about her recent hay net purchase, the chat flowed on and she began sharing some interesting insights about her breed. I thought they were too good not to pass on! So here’s some of the information she shared with me.
Around 2000 years ago, Vikings were the first people to arrive in Iceland. They brought their best horses to explore the island. Only the strongest horses survived the boat trip, volcanos, hunger, ice, snow and overall harsh climate. The horses developed a thick skin, higher bone density and triple coat. They truly are a horse in pony size, as there wasn’t enough food for Clydesdale sized horses, yet they had to be able to carry big beer bellied Vikings. Icelandic horses typically measure between 13 and 14 hands high (132-142cm), however, they can be shorter (old style) or taller (modern, sport style). Technically horses of that caliber would be considered ponies, however, due to their strength, power and ability to carry adult riders, they have earned the title Icelandic “horse”. Conveniently, Iceland does not have a word for ponies, as they are the only horse breed to have ever lived on the island...
The Icelandic breed has been isolated on Iceland for over 1000 years. 200 years ago, Iceland closed its boarders completely for horses; Once a horse leaves the island, it is never allowed back. There are no equine viruses, and therefore there is no need for vaccinations. Going overseas to show your priced stallion or mare in European competitions, therefore inevitably comes with a one-way ticket. This assures a continuation of the purity of the breed, as no "unpure" horse could ever enter the country. Even used horse gear will be taken away at border security.
It is not just their fluffy exterior, willingness to work, an array of over 100 color choices, fearlessness and hardiness… The Icelandic horses separate themselves by being capable of five separate gaits. Where other breeds usually loose a gait to make way for a new one, these horses can master all five. Icelandic horses can be four or five gaited (with the occasional accidental three gaiter). Their gaits are walk, tölt, trot, canter and flying pace. Tölt is their most comfortable gait. Being a four-beat gait, it feels like you are gliding, as they will always leave one foot on the ground. The speed ranges from a slow walk, to the speed of a fast canter! The tölt allows the horse to use little energy, and as the rider can sit to it easily, it can be maintained for fast distances. In contrary, the flying pace does have a moment of suspension. It is a two-beat gait, as the left legs move forward, followed by both right legs. It is often referred to as the camel pace, and not quite as comfortable for long distances. However, reaching speeds of 50km per hour, it makes for a decent sprint! Competitions include gait tests at different speeds on oval tracks, flying pace races and beer tölt (fastest to the finish in tölt, without losing too much beer out of your jug). These competitions are often held on Ice lakes or rinks! They are an all purpose breed, and while most Australian have them for comfortable bush rides, they perform quite well on pony clubs, cart work, working equitation, endurance rides, jumping... You name it.
While Iceland has the equivalent of one horse for every three people on the island, Australia is home to just over 350 Icelandic horses. The earliest record of the breed entering Australia is from 1863. In the early 1990’s two Haldane decided to import water buffalo from Denmark to make special cheeses. There was room left on the plane, so they decided to add 1 Icelandic stallion, and 8 mares. And so, the Icelandic Horse Association of Australia came to life. Since, more stallions and mares were imported, as well as frozen semen. My mare Björt (meaning "Bright", bay dun) was the first filly to be born in Tasmania. Björt is five gaited and born from an Australian bred mare from the Haldane family, and an imported stallion. My gelding Gyllir (meaning "the golden one", palomino dun) is 4 gaited and is born from a Haldane bred mare and another imported stallion. All Icelandic horses over the whole world need to be genetically tested and microchipped before they can be registered. Their name also has to comply with approved Icelandic horse names. It is a worldwide registry, and that helps us keep the bloodlines pure. This too helps us keep track of genetics and family line, which is especially important in Australia with such a small number of horses within the breed.
All hay nets I own are the knotless hay nets from GutzBusta. I have half squares, full squares and round bale nets. I love using the nets to keep my hay together as it is often windy on the north coast of Tasmania! The nets prevent my hay from blowing away (see picture before and after using a net on the round bale). While my horses are always on some grass,I mostly feed out hay in the spring and summer months, to balance the grass intake for my two easy keepers. I always choose the bigger hole size, to allow for easy hay access, which makes the hay more appealing than the short grass.
Do you want to learn more about the Icelandic horses in Australia, or get in contact with many of the Icelandic horse owners? Simply look for "Icelandic Horses in Australia" on Facebook, or look up any of the studs in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Once again a massive thank you to all our wonderful customers, your messages, questions, and chats always make my day. You never know what gems of knowledge will pop up along the way!
