The Icelandic horse

Featured BIG

Describe here some key points about the post

FEIF aims to set the highest standards for breeding and riding pure Icelandic horses

The Icelandic horse

The Icelandic horse is a descendent of horses that were brought to Iceland during the settlement in the period of 874-930 and is one of the purest horse breeds in the world. They have been isolated on Iceland for more than 1000 years without any genetic input from other breeds.

Since the horse was so widely used for riding, good riding abilities, vigour and strength were particularly valued. As for the riding abilities, a willing horse with good speed capacity, length of stride and suppleness had been highly appreciated, as these were the desirable attributes for daylong travelling.

Nowadays, Icelandic horses can be found all over the world. More than 280,000 Icelandic horses around the world are registered in the WorldFengur database.

Video by Horses of Iceland

The gaits of the Icelandic horse

The Icelandic horse is a versatile riding horse that is used for leisure riding, travelling and in various competitions. The versatility of the Icelandic horse consists of, among other things, its five gaits. Its basic gaits are walk, trot, and canter. In addition, it is capable of tölt as well as pace. In riding and breeding the Icelandic horse, a heavy emphasis is put on the gaits, of which tölt and pace are considered the most desirable, although the versatility of the horse is highly valued as well. The emphasis on the gaits is clearly reflected in the various competitions for the Icelandic horse, which are in most cases gait competitions. 
In addition, the Icelandic horse is a riding horse used both for short distance leisure riding as well as for travelling on longer journeys.

The main goal in regards to the gaits is to keep them pure and clearly distinguished.  A pure gait has a correct beat, the horse moving freely without constraint or mistakes in an even rhythm. The gaits should moreover possess long, roomy strides and lightness and the movements of the horse should be high and supple.

The character of the Icelandic horse

The Icelandic horse is known for being a versatile, four- or five-gaited horse with an authentic and inviting character. The horses are friendly, adventurous, intelligent and quick to learn. They are in general very easy to handle, with a good temperament and great willingness to work.

The gaitedness of the Icelandic horse has been preserved through the centuries, and with an increase in leisure activities, the riding abilities of the Icelandic horse facilitated the development of a new tradition of leisure riding, sport competitions and travelling on horseback. This versatility is highly treasured and one of the most important breeding goals.

Photo: Zanna Hofvander

Breeding Icelandic horses

Our general breeding expectations for an Icelandic horse are to have a healthy, fertile , and durable riding horse, robust yet elegant and versatile with four or five excellent gaits. The conformation should offer optimal natural balance, and the movements should be supple, high, and ground covering in all gaits, giving an elegant and powerful image. As early as 1969 FEIF established the FEIF assessment system and breeding standard for Icelandic horses, in order to attain the breeding goals and to keep the breed pure.

It is very interesting to be a breeder of Icelandic horses today. Genetic research and statistical work correlating specific conformation traits with ridden performance provide us with more information, which can help breeders make informed mating decisions. The work on the international breeding standard as well as an assessment system is never complete.

Education and training

Within FEIF, education is organised at a national level. Each national association manages its own educational system for the learning of riding and horsemanship for Icelandic horses.

Training the trainers

The education of trainers and instructors is the responsibility of each member organisation. FEIF neither has the means nore the wish to enforce a unified education system. But how do you bring together educational matters at an international level?

FEIF has created a system, which allows the seamless recognition of qualifications and skills for instructors across all member nations, by using a list of competencies at various levels that is expected as a minimum standard. It is called: the Education Matrix.

Related news

Let’s go back in time!

Let’s go back in time!

Did you ever wonder how it all started? The history of FEIF (International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations) is closely tied to Switzerland. Since the second half of the 1960s, Icelandic horse enthusiasts from across Europe had been gathering for the German...

read more
World Championships 2025 – time schedule and more

World Championships 2025 – time schedule and more

The time schedule as well as the results of the World Championships will be published in IceTest NG. Look for ‘Upcoming competition’ in the web version and ‘Future competitions’ in the app. Should you be in Birmenstorf….apart from watching the presentations live on...

read more
WC 2025 – the countdown is on: 11 days to go!

WC 2025 – the countdown is on: 11 days to go!

A Celebration for All of Switzerland – Final Preparations in Full Swing There's a buzz of activity at the tournament grounds: things are taking shape more and more each day. The roofs of the stands are being installed, the first tents are already set up, and the...

read more
Leisure Riders Meeting at WC 2025 – everyone welcome!

Leisure Riders Meeting at WC 2025 – everyone welcome!

We want to get to know you! And where better to hold such a meeting than at the World Championships? Get to know the Leisure Committee, get to know each other, exchange ideas and make new contacts. On Friday, 08.08.2025 at 16:30 pm at the booth of Horses of Iceland....

read more
World Championships 2025 – Participants

World Championships 2025 – Participants

The participating countries have registered their teams for the World Championships 2025. Click on the country to see the team details.  Click on any horse to see the details of the pedigree, owner, and breeder. The starting lists and results will be avaiable in...

read more
FYCamp 2025 – final day

FYCamp 2025 – final day

The final day of the FEIF Youth Camp started in the class room again with a lecture on horse health by Úndina Thorgrimsdóttir and a presentation by Johannes Armplatz about the latest research into the maximum rider‘s weight an Icelandic horse can comfortably carry....

read more
FYCamp 2025 – Day 4

FYCamp 2025 – Day 4

Of course, the highlight for any rider coming to Iceland is a ride out into the ever surprising landscape - and horse trip in Reykholtsdalur is no exception. The ride was hosted by Haukur Bjarnason from the horse farm Skáney, home to a number of champions, horses and...

read more
It’s official – NEW WORLDRECORD in P1 250m pace race

It’s official – NEW WORLDRECORD in P1 250m pace race

Congratulations to Konráð Valur Sveinsson (IS) and Kastor frá Garðshorni á Þelamörk (IS2014164066) - setting a NEW Worldrecord in P1 250m pace race with a time of 21.06`` at Íslandsmót at Brávöllur in Selfoss IS on June 28, 2025. All world records are available on the...

read more
FYCamp 2025 – Day 3

FYCamp 2025 – Day 3

How often do you try to reach for your left foot with your right hand when sitting in the saddle? That - and many other seat exercises - were practised by the participants on day three of the 2025 FEIF Youth Camp in Iceland finally getting on a horse under the...

read more