Icelandic Horses
They are considered small averaging 12.2 to 14.1 hands/125 - 155cm in height and 600 to 900lbs./270 to 400kg in weight but very strong for their size. They can carry roughly one-third of their weight, but should be at least four and a half, better five years old before being broken to saddle.
Probably the most beloved trait of the Icelandic horse is its unique character.
Iceland has never had any predators large enough to be any threat to a horse. Instead it is a country with tremendous environmental dangers, such as harsh extremes in weather, volcanic activity, extremely varied and treacherous terrain, quicksand, rock slides, rivers with changing currents, etc. Therefore, the ability to assess a situation rather than the instinct to flee has been central in the survival of the horse. Even today Icelandics seem to lack the “spookiness” of most other breeds and are more inclined to think through a situation before making the decision to run. They also seem to have a much higher pain tolerance than other breeds and have a strong will to survive even the toughest conditions. There are many old Icelandic tales of horses that overcame tremendous obstacles to carry their riders safely to their destination.
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