The purest horse in the world is actually the "Corgi"? !

As the saying goes, "Lü Bu among men, Red Hare among horses." Speaking of horses, many people may think of Red Hare, Dilu, Wuzhui and other horses. It seems that only these strong and powerful horses that chase the wind and the sun can fit the image of the horse in people's minds. However, in Iceland, locals may not think so.

Because compared to other tall and mighty horse breeds, Icelanders prefer the local "Corgi among horses" - the Icelandic horse.

Image source: carsiceland

As the name suggests, Icelandic horses (Icelandic: íslenski hesturinn) are a type of horse bred in Iceland and have lived on the land of Iceland for thousands of years. Although they have short legs, sloppy hair, and a slightly silly expression, they have become a Chinese treasure in the hearts of Icelanders, and their status is no less than that of China's giant pandas.

Image source: reykjavik

In recent years, during the hot road trips in Iceland, the Icelandic horses on the roadside grasslands are also an important element of embellishing the natural scenery. So much so that many people who come to Iceland will pay attention to it. It can be said that it is the most well-known farm animal in Iceland.

Image source: Leah BIlquist

Where Do Icelandic Horses Come From?

What’s different about it?

Through this article, I will give you a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the Icelandic horse that you don’t know.

Once you leave the island, you can't come back.

Before the 9th century, Iceland was an island that no one had ever visited until the first Vikings came to Iceland, bringing some supplies from Norway and other Nordic countries, including the ancestors of the Icelandic horse. Since the Viking ships had limited capacity and could only carry a small number of horses, they could only choose the best and strongest horses to take on board, which laid the foundation for the Icelandic horse to adapt to the harsh environment of Iceland.

Image source: purcheval

When these horses first arrived in Iceland, their height was about the same as that of ordinary horses, but now Icelandic horses are significantly smaller than ordinary horses. This is due to the dual influence of the Icelandic environment and the Vikings' selective breeding. In order to survive, the horses evolved over time and "shrunk" in order to adapt to Iceland's natural environment and complex terrain.

However, despite the small size of the Icelandic horse, which is only about 1.3 to 1.4 meters tall, it is not considered a "pony" (according to international standards, horses under 147 cm should be called "ponies"). One of the key reasons is that their strength and carrying capacity are no weaker than normal horses, so they can still be registered as "horses".

The sturdy Icelandic horse. Photo credit: Sela Yair

Currently, there are about 300,000 Icelandic horses in the world, one-third of which live in Iceland, and the rest are distributed in Europe, North America, etc. Interestingly, whether it is Icelandic horses outside or Icelandic horses that have left Iceland, they can no longer return to the island. The purpose of this is to consider the health of Icelandic horses. Due to the long-term geographical isolation and the extremely cold environment in Iceland, there are almost no equine diseases here, so it is necessary to prohibit foreign horses from entering to prevent virus transmission.

Image source: NatFed

Secondly, in order to ensure the pure bloodline of Icelandic horses, in 982 AD, the Icelandic Parliament passed a bill to ensure the purity of the bloodline of Icelandic horses, prohibiting the import of other breeds of horses into Iceland, thus continuing the short stature characteristics of Icelandic horses.

Symbiosis between humans and horses

For a long time, Icelandic horses have been regarded as important family members. In Iceland, even naming an Icelandic horse needs to be reviewed, and there is a special "Icelandic Horse Naming Committee" that is responsible for naming the horses.

Generally speaking, there are two principles for naming Icelandic horses. One is that they cannot contain swear words, and the other is that they must be named in Icelandic.

The names of all Icelandic horses that have been named will be archived in a naming database, which is not only convenient for searching, but also allows owners to find inspiration when they want to name a new horse.

It is not difficult to see from this that the locals pay attention to and love the Icelandic horse, and that the Icelandic horse has no natural enemies on the island. Therefore, compared to other horses, the Icelandic horse has almost lost its survival instincts such as fighting, escaping, and defending. It will not be frightened or kick when it encounters people, and even if Icelandic children run around between the horses' legs, there is no need to worry about accidents.

Image source: eric

In short, the Icelandic horse gives people the impression of being very cute and Buddhist. In fact, the Icelandic horse is indeed gentle and friendly. Although it looks calm, it also has a very lively side.

Laughing Icelandic horse Photo source: The pastures

For example, when Icelandic horses meet tourists on the road, they are like curious babies and are always attracted. When facing the camera, they are not at all stage shy and will pose by themselves. Even when people reach out to touch them, they will compete for each other's favor.

A distinctive gait

In addition to their lively personality, ability to survive in harsh climates, and small size, Icelandic horses are even more famous for their distinctive gait.

Since ancient times, people didn't know where the horse's gait came from, until scientists discovered that gait was related to a mutation in the DMRT3 gene, which is expressed in spinal cord neurons and is essential for the development of coordinated limb movements. Horses around the world carry this mutated gene, and without it, horses won't even walk naturally.

Horse in jogging gait Source: equishop

Most horses have only three gaits: walk, trot and gallop. However, Icelandic horses have two additional gaits: tolt and flugskeið.

The gait is a four-beat, horizontal, slow walk. This means that one or both feet always touch the ground at equal intervals, and is a gait that Icelandic horses are born with. When moving, the horse's weight is concentrated on the hind legs, leaving the front legs freer and lighter, allowing for a smooth ride. It is said that even if the owner holds a full glass of wine while riding, the wine will not spill.

Icelandic horses using a trotting gait. Image credit: Dagur Brynjólfsson

The second gait, the "flying gait", is known locally as "fifth gear" and can be seen as the ultimate move for Icelandic horses. This gait is very fast, with some horses reaching speeds of up to 48 km/h. When a horse uses this gait, it looks like it is gliding through the air, with the front and hind legs moving simultaneously in the same position.

However, horses that master the "flying gait" need special training. Not all Icelandic horses can perform this gait, and the rider must also have certain equestrian skills.

Before the advent of modern transportation, Icelandic horses were the only means of transportation for Icelanders. Thanks to their strong bodies and steady steps, they were able to lead people on long journeys and over mountains. Even though the use of Icelandic horses has decreased with the improvement of road systems and the addition of transportation, they are still the most precious friends of Icelanders.