The Icelandic Horse and the Five Gaits Explained
The Icelandic horse is unique among modern breeds for its five gaits — walk, trot, canter, tölt (a smooth four-beat lateral gait), and flying pace (a two-beat racing lateral). Bred in genetic isolation in Iceland for over a thousand years, the breed remains unchanged by crossbreeding.
History
Brought to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th-10th centuries. Iceland's parliament banned horse imports around 1000 CE, sealing the breed's genetic isolation.
Conformation
Small (13-14 hands), strong, hardy. Double coat for winter cold. Heavy mane and tail; abundant colour variety (over 100 distinct names in Icelandic).
The Tölt
The signature gait. A four-beat lateral gait carried at any speed from walking to fast canter equivalents. Smooth and tireless to ride.
Flying pace
Skeid in Icelandic. A two-beat lateral gait at racing speed, used over short distances on flat terrain. Not all Icelandic horses can pace.
Walk-trot-canter
The other three gaits are conventional. Many gaited horse owners ride the Icelandic for tölt; trot and canter are used as needed.
Export and quarantine
Once exported, an Icelandic horse cannot return to Iceland — strict biosecurity. Substantial breeding populations now in Germany, Denmark, USA, and elsewhere.
FEIF
The International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations governs the breed worldwide. Recognised gaits, conformation, and showing rules.
Where to ride
Iceland itself (Eldhestar, Íshestar, Laxnes — see Iceland article); Germany (multiple operators); USA (Vermont, Kentucky); Denmark; Norway.
Multi-day rides
Iceland's Kjölur highland route is the great multi-day Icelandic horse experience. Other countries offer 1-7 day programmes on Icelandic-bred horses.
Showing
Tölt-pace tests, breed-show classes for conformation, and competitive gaited showing all exist. The Landsmót in Iceland every two years is the world breed championship.
Riding the tölt
The tölt is smooth — riders sit deeper in the saddle than at trot. Different rider position than at trot; instructors at any Icelandic centre teach the seat.
Cold-weather tradition
Icelandic horses live outside in winter with double coats. The breed is unusually cold-tolerant; do not be surprised by snowy or frosty conditions.
Booking
Iceland's major operators book months ahead in summer. Off-season opportunities exist for cheaper rates.
Explore on the map
All venues mentioned above are pinned on the interactive map. Use it to plan a visit, compare regions, and find centres near your travel route.