Icelandic Horse Breed Characteristics: Personality, Size & Diet

Key Takeaways

• Icelandic horses are known for their friendly, intelligent temperament and calm demeanor, making them suitable for riders of all skill levels including children.
• Despite standing only 13–14 hands tall, they're classified as horses (not ponies) due to their strength, bone density, and ability to carry adult riders comfortably.
• This hardy breed thrives on forage-based diets and requires careful feeding to prevent metabolic issues like insulin resistance and laminitis.
• Icelandic horses possess five gaits instead of three, including the smooth tölt and rapid flying pace that showcase their unique athleticism.
• Their exceptional hardiness, versatility, and unique characteristics make them ideal companions for various equestrian pursuits from leisure riding to competitive sports.

Personality & Temperament of the Icelandic Horse

Friendly Nature

One of the most endearing qualities of Icelandic horses is their exceptionally friendly and sociable nature. Unlike many horse breeds that can be skittish or high-strung, Icelandic horses exhibit an outgoing personality combined with remarkable intelligence and natural curiosity. 

They genuinely seem to enjoy human company, approaching interactions with an eagerness that makes them wonderful companions both in and out of the saddle.

Work Ethic & Adaptability

Their willingness to work is legendary, developed through centuries during which Icelandic farmers relied on these horses to move through treacherous terrain, carry heavy loads, and work in conditions that would challenge any animal, ultimately creating a breed that's adaptable, dependable, and genuinely enjoys having a job to do.

Reduced Flight Instinct

What sets Icelandic horses apart temperamentally is their reduced flight instinct, a trait that developed over more than a millennium of growing up in Iceland without natural predators, allowing them to develop a remarkably calm demeanor that manifests in their being less likely to spook at unexpected sounds or movements compared to other breeds. 

This breeding environment also resulted in a notably lower tendency to kick, which makes them safe and reliable, particularly for families with children or riders who are still building their confidence and need a steady, predictable mount.

Spirited Yet Calm

Don't mistake their calm nature for dullness, though. Icelandic horses retain a lively, spirited personality that makes them engaging and fun to work with. 

Each horse has its own distinct character—you'll find everything from exceptionally gentle family horses perfect for teaching young riders, to highly energetic individuals that excel in pace racing competitions.

Centuries without natural predators helped develop the remarkable temperament of the icelandic horse.

Physical Features & Size

At first glance, you might be tempted to call an Icelandic horse a pony. Standing between 13 and 14 hands high (that's 52 to 56 inches at the withers, or roughly 132 to 142 centimeters), they're certainly compact. 

However, the Icelandic horse community is quite particular about terminology—these are horses, not ponies. This classification isn't just about pride; it's based on their weight, bone density, strength, and most importantly, their ability to comfortably carry full-grown adult riders.

Build & Conformation

Despite their smaller stature, Icelandic horses typically weigh between 730 and 840 pounds (330 to 380 kilograms), and they possess a remarkably muscular build that packs considerable power into a manageable frame. Their conformation reflects centuries of careful breeding for function over form, with every aspect of their physical structure designed to maximize utility and performance in Iceland's demanding environment.

One of the most striking physical features is their thick, luxurious mane and tail, along with a distinctive double coat that developed specifically as protection against Iceland's winters. The outer coat is water-resistant and coarse, designed to shed moisture and provide protection against wind and precipitation, while the inner coat provides dense insulation that traps body heat.

What Makes Them Special

Most horses naturally perform three gaits: walk, trot, and canter. Icelandic horses can perform five distinct gaits, two of which are unique to this breed and a handful of other gaited breeds.

The Tölt

The tölt is perhaps the most celebrated of their special gaits. This smooth, four-beat lateral gait is incredibly comfortable for riders, with minimal bounce and excellent speed. Riders often describe the tölt as feeling like you're gliding across the ground. 

This gait allows riders to cover rough, uneven terrain comfortably and quickly, making it invaluable for everything from casual trail rides to competitive events.

The Flying Pace

The flying pace, or skeið as it's known in Icelandic, is a thrilling two-beat lateral gait used primarily in sprint racing. When an Icelandic horse hits the flying pace, they can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour), with all four feet leaving the ground between strides. 

This explosive gait showcases the breed's remarkable athleticism and power, condensed into their compact frames.

Diet & Nutritional Needs

Icelandic horses are remarkably efficient metabolizers, evolved to thrive on the sparse vegetation of their native land, which makes them easy and economical to feed but also means they require careful dietary management to prevent obesity and metabolic disorders that can plague these "easy keepers." 

Understanding their unique nutritional needs and resisting the temptation to overfeed is essential for maintaining their health and longevity.

A Forage Foundation

The foundation of an Icelandic horse's diet should be quality forage (e.g., good hay and pasture grass), with most horses consuming approximately 2% of their body weight daily, or about 15 pounds of hay for a 750-pound horse.

Smart Supplementation

If additional calories are needed for work, breeding, or growth, choose low-starch, low-sugar feeds or fruits like apple and carrots. You can also consider stabilized ground flaxseed or omega-3 oils like camelina or fish oil for healthy fats without metabolic risks. 

Horses in regular work may benefit from veterinary-formulated joint supplements, while a comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplement ensures adequate vitamins A, D, E, and essential minerals like copper, zinc, and selenium.

Weight Monitoring

Their thick coats make Icelandic horses look deceptively lean, so regular body condition scoring—using your hands to feel ribs, spine, and tailhead rather than visual assessment—is essential for catching weight gain before it becomes a serious health problem. 

Clean, fresh water must be available at all times, including heated sources during winter despite their cold-weather origins.

Why the Icelandic Horse Makes an Exceptional Companion

The approachable nature and calm temperament of Icelandic horses allows for peaceful interactions, making them ideal companions for riders of all experience levels.

The Icelandic horse's blend of characteristics creates an exceptional companion for equestrians of all levels. Their friendly, adaptable temperament combined with manageable size makes them accessible to a wide range of riders. The efficient diet requirements mean lower feed costs and easier management compared to larger breeds, though vigilance is needed to prevent overfeeding.

Their robust constitution and double coat make them remarkably well-suited to cold environments, requiring less blanketing and special care than many other breeds. The unique five-gait capability offers riding experiences unavailable with most other horses, from the comfortable tölt for long trail rides to the thrilling flying pace for competitive pursuits.

Icelandic horses possess an intangible quality that endears them to their owners. Their intelligence, willingness to connect with humans, and individual personalities create deep bonds. They're versatile enough for competitive riding, reliable enough for beginners, hardy enough for outdoor living, and charming enough to become beloved family members. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Icelandic horses suitable for beginner riders?

Yes, Icelandic horses are often excellent choices for beginner riders, particularly adults and older children. Their calm temperament, reduced flight response, and patient nature make them forgiving and safe. 

Their smooth tölt gait is also easier for new riders to sit comfortably compared to the bouncy trot of other breeds. However, like any horse, individual temperament varies, so it's important to match the specific horse's personality and training level with the rider's experience.

Can Icelandic horses carry adult riders despite their small size?

Absolutely. Despite standing only 13–14 hands, Icelandic horses are remarkably strong and are specifically classified as horses rather than ponies because of their ability to carry adult riders. 

Their dense bone structure, muscular build, and efficient movement allow them to comfortably carry riders up to about 20% of their body weight. For a 750-pound Icelandic horse, that means they can safely carry a rider of approximately 150 pounds, including tack.

How much pasture turnout do Icelandic horses need?

Icelandic horses benefit greatly from regular pasture turnout for both physical exercise and mental wellbeing. However, because they're such easy keepers and prone to metabolic issues, rich pasture can actually be problematic. 

Many owners use grazing muzzles during spring and summer when grass is lush, or limit turnout time on rich pastures to prevent overconsumption. Dry lots or sparse pasture combined with quality hay often works better than unlimited access to rich grass.

What are the main health concerns for Icelandic horses?

The primary health concern for Icelandic horses is metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome, and laminitis, all related to their efficient metabolism and tendency to gain weight easily. Prevention through proper diet management and regular exercise is crucial. 

Their thick coats can also mask body condition changes, making regular hands-on assessment important. While generally hardy with good disease resistance, they require standard equine care including regular hoof care, dental checks, deworming, and vaccinations.

What makes Icelandic horses different from other breeds?

In addition to their unique five-gait capability, Icelandic horses stand out for their pure bloodline maintained for over 1,000 years due to Iceland's strict import restrictions. No horses can be imported into Iceland, and any Icelandic horse that leaves can never return, preserving genetic purity. 

This isolation has created a breed with distinctive characteristics including their reduced flight instinct from centuries without natural predators, exceptional hardiness from Iceland's harsh climate, and efficient metabolism from surviving on sparse vegetation. Combined with their friendly temperament and versatility, these factors make them unique in the equine world.