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Form and Function in the Icelandic Horse

In September, 2008, we were asked in Large Animal Anatomy and Physiology to explore the relationship between form and function, using one of our own animals as an example. In the process of writing the following response, I discovered that the two are complementary entities.

The Icelandic horse is a versatile equine with a variety of functions. They are, in Iceland, used as trail horses, as competition animals, and to pull carts. They are primarily a pony-based breed with northern origins. They are extremely hardy, and can subsist on smaller amounts of hay than their larger counterparts; although I contend that like all horses, they do best on quality forage. Most are gaited. In addition to being able to walk, trot, and canter, most also tolt and pace. The tolt is four-beat diagonal gait, and the pace is a two-beat lateral gait. The slow pace is considered undesirable and is called piggy pacing. The fast pace is a competition gait.

The Icelandic horse can be exported from Iceland, but never imported. This keeps the bloodlines pure, and why the Icelandic horse is considered to be the world’s oldest breed.

I have attached a photo of Raudhetta, my five-year old mare. She’s a good representative of the breed, or so I’ve been told. She trailers, stands for bathing and farrier work, and is not at all pushy. I waited until she was five before I began serious training. This year we are mainly working on getting a nice even trot. Learning this precedes learning to tolt. I indicated that Icelandics do many things well; Raudi’s lot in life is to be a safe trail horse, one who must be able to do better than get by in Alaska, a colder climate.

Raudi has a thick mane and tail. These serve to keep her warm in colder weather, a necessity here in Alaska. Her good disposition and high degree of common sense is reflected in her facial features. She has an intelligent, nicely set, and kind eye, a nicely shaped head, and ears that are of a good length. She has what’s called a moose nose; those with this characteristic are considered to be quite sensitive. I don’t know if I buy this, but Raudi is not as stoic as many of her Icelandic counterparts.

Raudi has a nice neckline; it’s not overly cresty, nor is it a ewe neck. Her nostrils are neither too large nor too small, which is an indication that she is able to take in sufficient amounts of air, as is her large barrel. Raudi is 13.2, which is the average size of an Icelandic. Much larger, and you lose the ability to tolt. It isn’t visible, but Raudi also has a wide loin – this is a desirable characteristic – it enables the Icelandic horse to carry heavy loads long ways. I like her size, she’s easy to get on and off of, which I occasionally have to do while on the trail.

Raudi has the requisite breed characteristics, some of which include sloped shoulders, a well rounded croup, some, but not prominent withers, and a short topline. All contribute to her being able to cover long distances, and as do her well-shaped knees. Raudi’s cannon bones are fairly thick (this too is a desirable breed characteristic) and short, and her legs are in proportion to the rest of her. All these characteristics contribute to good lateral movement, which I find to be essential. It’s no fun to ride an Icelandic that feels like a board. It appears in the above photo as if Raudi’s rump is higher than her front. This very well could be. Even at five, she’s not fully grown. Icelandics are not fully mature until they are six or seven, the up side of having to wait to have a good riding horse is that can live into their 50s.

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