Forum rules
Each breed may have only one topic. The first post in the topic is to be informative. It should help explain the breed, and breeding goals; advice on how to select mares and stallions; and links to ideal Stallions available for breeding.
Keeping a directory of breeders working on the same goal is also helpful.
All new threads must be approved.
Each breed may have only one topic. The first post in the topic is to be informative. It should help explain the breed, and breeding goals; advice on how to select mares and stallions; and links to ideal Stallions available for breeding.
Keeping a directory of breeders working on the same goal is also helpful.
All new threads must be approved.
Icelandic Horse
Breed
The Icelandic Horse is one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world, having been brought to Iceland in around 850-940AD by the Viking Settlers moving there to inhabit the small Island, which to this day only has a population of around 350,000. This breed is one of the purest, having the strictest rules of moving horses, no imported horses are allowed and horses who have left the country are not allowed back. This has meant that the Icelandic population has flourished and remained traceable for thousands of years. They also have the least disease rate of any horse breed in the world, and as Survival of the fittest has remained a huge part of these horses lives, they are rarely sick or sorry.
For years they were the only transportation in Iceland, used for moving goods, people and other animals across the vast landscapes of grassland, rocky hillsides, lava fields and even glaciers. They were also kept for meat and still are to this day. In modern times they are mostly hobby animals, however the Autumn roundups are still spectacular with the Icelandic horse herding livestock through ground that is far too rough and rugged for vehicles.
The Icelandic horse is gaited, performing two paces outside of the usual walk, trot and canter. They perform the Tolt, a walk like pace that can go to the speed of canter, comfortable and quick for easy transportation; and the Flying Pace, where the legs on both sides move at the same time, at the speed of a gallop. Much like a pacing Standardbred.
These hardy little ponies can be almost any colour, from greys to Silver dapples, with or without tobiano patterns.
They usually make 13-14 hands, however they can be as small as 11 or as tall as 15.
They have a well-proportioned head, a short, thick neck with broad, strong shoulders and a long back. They have a large muscular rump with short stocky legs.
Temperament wise, they are most commonly docile, and easy to handle, due to the lack of predators on the Icelandic island.
Breeding Goals
To create a rendition of the traditional hardy Viking pony in the wide range of colours it is known for and the heavy manes and tails.
To ensure all horses have at least 2 desirable traits to pass on, whether that be colour, a green/gold trait or something as simple as a thick mane, tail and feathers.
To erase the red traits from the breed, especially movement, which seems to be the downfall.
Advice on selecting mares and stallions
Pick a stallion that will counter any flaws the mare has.
If possible, pick a pair with plenty of hair.
Ensure that both have AT LEAST a 4* breed rating.
Try to breed against bad traits, especially movement.
Ideal stallions
So far there are very few stallions for stud that are desireable, two belonging to me, two belonging to Skua
Laufer
Laufer, no reds and all the foals that I have from him carry on his beautiful bright bay coat.
Kveldulfur
Red speed, but this is easy enough to breed out, I have plenty of his foals too, and he carries cream which is a massive good thing!
BH Pearls
One of mine, by Kveldufur, carries no reds and is also a double cream perlino!
BH Poison Glory
My other stud stallion, has green tempo and often passes it to his foals, he also carries the Sooty gene, which looks gorgeous on dun babies
The Icelandic Horse is one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world, having been brought to Iceland in around 850-940AD by the Viking Settlers moving there to inhabit the small Island, which to this day only has a population of around 350,000. This breed is one of the purest, having the strictest rules of moving horses, no imported horses are allowed and horses who have left the country are not allowed back. This has meant that the Icelandic population has flourished and remained traceable for thousands of years. They also have the least disease rate of any horse breed in the world, and as Survival of the fittest has remained a huge part of these horses lives, they are rarely sick or sorry.
For years they were the only transportation in Iceland, used for moving goods, people and other animals across the vast landscapes of grassland, rocky hillsides, lava fields and even glaciers. They were also kept for meat and still are to this day. In modern times they are mostly hobby animals, however the Autumn roundups are still spectacular with the Icelandic horse herding livestock through ground that is far too rough and rugged for vehicles.
The Icelandic horse is gaited, performing two paces outside of the usual walk, trot and canter. They perform the Tolt, a walk like pace that can go to the speed of canter, comfortable and quick for easy transportation; and the Flying Pace, where the legs on both sides move at the same time, at the speed of a gallop. Much like a pacing Standardbred.
These hardy little ponies can be almost any colour, from greys to Silver dapples, with or without tobiano patterns.
They usually make 13-14 hands, however they can be as small as 11 or as tall as 15.
They have a well-proportioned head, a short, thick neck with broad, strong shoulders and a long back. They have a large muscular rump with short stocky legs.
Temperament wise, they are most commonly docile, and easy to handle, due to the lack of predators on the Icelandic island.
Breeding Goals
To create a rendition of the traditional hardy Viking pony in the wide range of colours it is known for and the heavy manes and tails.
To ensure all horses have at least 2 desirable traits to pass on, whether that be colour, a green/gold trait or something as simple as a thick mane, tail and feathers.
To erase the red traits from the breed, especially movement, which seems to be the downfall.
Advice on selecting mares and stallions
Pick a stallion that will counter any flaws the mare has.
If possible, pick a pair with plenty of hair.
Ensure that both have AT LEAST a 4* breed rating.
Try to breed against bad traits, especially movement.
Ideal stallions
So far there are very few stallions for stud that are desireable, two belonging to me, two belonging to Skua
Laufer
Laufer, no reds and all the foals that I have from him carry on his beautiful bright bay coat.Kveldulfur
Red speed, but this is easy enough to breed out, I have plenty of his foals too, and he carries cream which is a massive good thing!BH Pearls
One of mine, by Kveldufur, carries no reds and is also a double cream perlino!BH Poison Glory
My other stud stallion, has green tempo and often passes it to his foals, he also carries the Sooty gene, which looks gorgeous on dun babies
Sunpath Offline
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Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2015 11:04 pm Posts: 230
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Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2015 11:04 pm Posts: 230 Re: Icelandic Horse
Oohh! I love Icelandic Horses, so nice to see a thread dedicated to them 
I have tried starting up breeding projects parallell to my Marwari, but I never really get into it. However I will be following this thread with great interest! I wish you the best of luck!
I have tried starting up breeding projects parallell to my Marwari, but I never really get into it. However I will be following this thread with great interest! I wish you the best of luck!Sunpath Acres brand: - Ṩᴬ -
Second account: SunpathAcres
Second account: SunpathAcres
Re: Icelandic Horse
Thanks very much!! Will be doing my best to hopefully get into it! Very excited for when the white patterns come into it as well
Re: Icelandic Horse
@Corvus
I see you're breeding Icelandics, I'm retiring to another breed and was wondering if you would want some of my lovelies for your farm? Some are mixed and crossbreed but there's a lot of DD and coloured, silver dapples etc
I see you're breeding Icelandics, I'm retiring to another breed and was wondering if you would want some of my lovelies for your farm? Some are mixed and crossbreed but there's a lot of DD and coloured, silver dapples etc