The history of the Icelandic horse can be traced all the way back to the settlement of the country in the late 9^th century. Vikings who settled in Iceland brought with them their horses of various origins, though mostly of Germanic descent. Some sources claim that at the time of Iceland's settlement there was a breed in Scandinavia and Northern Europe called Equus Scandinavicus. Due to the isolation of Iceland, this stock remained pure while it was crossbred elsewhere. Other sources claim that the Icelandic horse is closely related to the English Exmoor pony. Whoever its cousins may be the Icelandic horse is pure-bred and unique today, over a thousand years after first coming to the land of fire and ice.

The Icelandic horse has played a vital role in its home country from the beginning. In heathen times the horse was highly regarded and renowned in Norse mythology. The horse played a big part in Norse mythological stories. Several Norse gods and their enemies, the giants, owned them The most famous of all these mythological horses was Sleipnir, the eight-footed pacer. The influence of the Norse myths is still visible, as many riding clubs bear names of mythical horses, as do herds of horses in modern Iceland.

The horse is often mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas as well, still playing a vital role, this time in the warfare of the Viking period. To a serious warrior a good horse was indispensable. Great horses were treated with much respect and sometimes slain warriors would be buried alongside their mount.

For centuries, the horse was the only means of transportation in Iceland, as well as, being the most important working animal in the days before machinery. The horse was called "the most useful servant" and literally followed man from birth to death, fetching the doctor and midwife to pulling the coffin to the cemetery. The first automobile arrived in Iceland in the year 1904 and almost immediately the horse became redundant. Enthusiastic individuals, however, kept breeding good horses and Iceland's first horse breeding association was formed the same year the automobile arrived.

Today, there are around 80,000 horses in Iceland, no small number for a country with 270,000 inhabitants! Thousands of people ride in cities and towns as well as in the countryside. The only practical role of the horse today is during the annual roundups when farmers use horses to round up sheep in the highlands. Most horses in Iceland today are used for leisure and competition. The first breeding shows were held in 1906 and since then horse owners in Iceland have concentrated on breeding an excellent stock of a unique horse, suitable for children and adults alike.

The main competition and show season for the Icelandic horse is during the summer, but winter games, ice-riding and indoor shows take place from February to May. The Icelandic horse is suitable for most types of shows and competition. In Iceland there are two main types of competition, sports competitions and the so-called Gæðingakeppni. In the sports competition the main emphasis is on the rider's ability and the co-operation between man and horse but in Gæðingakeppni the horse's abilities weigh more.

Because of Iceland's geographic isolation, the Icelandic horse has remained virtually disease-free so far. To keep it that way no import of horses, or other livestock is allowed. All imports of used riding wear, tack and other things used around livestock are also forbidden, unless fully disinfected. As a result, the World Championships can never be held in the home country of the Icelandic horse because once horses have been exported they can never return.

There are around 100,000 Icelandic horses abroad, most in Europe but also a growing number in the United States and Canada. Germany holds the largest number of Icelandic horses, with close to 50,000 horses along with active riding clubs and breeding societies. This growing popularity of the Icelandic horse has made horse breeding and exporting a valuable business, boosting agriculture and industry in many areas.

An increasing number of people travel the Icelandic highlands on horseback, enjoying the incredible beauty of unspoiled nature in company with a horse born to climb mountains, gallop across fields and cross rivers. Riding tours in Iceland attract thousands of foreign visitors each year and are one of the fastest growing businesses in Iceland.

The Icelandic horse is certainly unique. What else can be said of a horse, bred exclusively and naturally in a country known for its pure air and magnificent landscape. The horse is a favorite among Icelanders and also one of the country's main attractions for visitors. This is a horse which has been pure-bred for over a thousand years, treated with respect and dignity and raised to the highest levels by systematic and ambitious breeding. In Iceland, horse breeding is considered an art, just as much as an agricultural business. No other horse breed in the world can claim such as a status in the minds of a whole nation.

Thousands of foals are born each year in Iceland. In almost all cases they are born outside in grassy fields, the occasional exception being when mares are still stabled. It is magical to witness a foal's birth in the beautiful nature of Iceland. Breeders like to watch their foals closely in the beginning. Many believe that the movements and spirit shown by the foal in the first few days will predict how they will turn out later in life. Future stallions and prize mares are often identified within a week of their birth.

Usually the young horses will stay with the herd and live outdoors for the first four years of their life. In the summers they will graze in lush fields and in the winters they are fed hay and provided with shelter. In parts of northern Iceland horses are still allowed into the highlands to roam during the spring, summer and autumn. They are then rounded up in late September or October and sorted in corrals. This system of raising horses in a wild herd in open spaces is an essential part of creating the unique personality of the Icelandic horse. These horses will treat humans with respect as they have only been handled occasionally. They learn to behave within the herd. The outcome is a spirited and forward going horse with much respect for the rider. Also, the landscape creates a sure-footed and muscular horse, toughened by harsh weather and wide-open spaces.

The Icelandic horse matures slowly and training is not started until the age of four. In that year, the horse is taught to work with the bridle and saddle, shod for the first time and ridden a little. Breeding mares and stallions can be judged for riding abilities at this age. When they are five the real training starts for most. Horses are allowed to compete in all types of shows and events at that age, although not many five-year-olds compete heavily. Without exception all breeders and riders in Iceland believe that horses should not be trained at an earlier age, and some even say that four-year-olds should not be shown at all.

Icelandic horses usually lead a long and healthy life and their natural life span is 25 -30 years though some have lived to over 40. It is not unusual for them to be ridden and trained well into their twenties.

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