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Jon Heidar, Editor of Stuck in Iceland Travel Magazine
Berglind Margo Thorvaldsottir is a project manager for Horses of Iceland. This project aims to promote one of Iceland’s most beloved symbols – the Icelandic horse – to the world. The initiative that Berglind now manages started back in 2015 and has been instrumental in promoting not just Icelandic horses but also related services and products. Their ultimate goal? To increase the Icelandic horse community’s size and profitability worldwide while strengthening the international image of the Icelandic horse.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Berglind about her work and the Horses of Iceland, but first, let’s dive into the origins and the characteristics of the Icelandic horse.
Icelandic Horses: Viking age Origin and Global Presence
The Icelandic horse, hailing from the North-Atlantic island nation, has a lineage tracing back over a millennium to the time of Viking age settlement. Brought by settlers who only had room for their best animals, these horses had to endure a rough trip across the Atlantic before becoming the “most indispensable servant” for the first Icelanders. Horses held great importance in medieval Icelandic society and were considered prized possessions. They were indispensable to warriors, and war horses were sometimes buried alongside their owners. Stallion fights were a significant part of Icelandic culture, serving as entertainment and a means of selecting the best animals for breeding. These events had social and political implications, influencing alliances and providing a platform for courtship.
Isolation and stringent biosecurity laws have maintained the breed’s purity – once a horse leaves Iceland, it can never return. Remarkably versatile, Icelandic horses excel in activities ranging from endurance racing to dressage to recreational riding. They are a beloved companion to many, used in therapeutic riding, and even trusted with the youngest family members. Now, about 250,000 Icelandic horses reside worldwide, showcasing their adaptability from the icy climes of Greenland and Alaska to the subtropical climate of Australia and New Zealand. They, indeed, are the best ambassadors for their homeland.
Unique Gaits and a Splash of Color of Icelandic horses
What sets Icelandic horses apart are their unique gaits. In addition to the common walk, trot, and canter/gallop, they possess two extra gaits – the tölt and flying pace. These natural gaits make the Icelandic horse a gaited breed. Tölt is a smooth four-beat lateral gait, allowing for a smooth ride at various speeds. Pace is a two-beat lateral gait with a suspension phase. It’s only ridden in high speed. Most Icelandic horses are five-gaited, but some are four-gaited and then lack the genetic mutation that causes pace. What also makes these horses delightful is their variety of colours. Over 40 colours and up to 100 variations exist within the breed, with all colours allowed and encouraged in the studbook, making each Icelandic horse unique.
Conformation, Character, and Breeding
Selective breeding over the years has improved the Icelandic breed, especially in recent decades. The official breeding goal is to produce a robust, elegant, versatile horse with excellent gaits, a natural balance, and powerful movements. The size varies considerably, but the average size of horses shown in breeding evaluations is 142 cm to the withers. An increase in height over the last 30 years is attributed to better feed and selective breeding. Character-wise, Icelandic horses are aimed to be calm, friendly, cooperative, courageous, and reliable, suitable for various roles. Conformation is focused on promoting the horse’s health and durability, emphasizing strength, muscularity, and an attractive appearance.
Ielandic horses: A Blend of Versatility, Loyalty, and Tradition
The Icelandic horse is known for its welcoming character. These horses are friendly, adventurous, intelligent, quick to learn, easy to handle, and cooperative. Yet, they are powerful and possess a great will to work. They’ve played an essential role in Icelandic culture and history, serving various roles, from carrying goods to being treasured companions. This blend of power and gentleness makes Icelandic horses suitable for high-level competitions and safely carrying the youngest family member on a ride. Mutual respect and fair handling are rewarded with lifelong loyalty and friendship from these remarkable horses. Their roles might have evolved, but they remain an essential part of Icelandic culture, uniting people within and across borders.
Hey Berglind, thank you for taking the time for this interview. You joined the Horses of Iceland project five months ago. Can you please give my readers a little background information about you?
Absolutely! My name is Berglind, and I am half Icelandic and half French. I was born in Iceland but raised in France. When 14, I moved back to Iceland with my father. I was then lucky to be able to attend the international program of MH High School. Later on, I attended the Agricultural University of Iceland and Hólar University, from which I got a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Sciences.
After graduating, I went back to France to work as a trainer and help with communications and administrative tasks at a farm called Pur Cheval. During my time there, I discovered one of my favorite tasks was updating the website. I then went on to study web development and worked as a freelance for a while. Later on, I was hired in a production company in the medical sector that made live streaming and e-learning websites. There I worked as a developer before becoming a project and branch manager. I was also the chairperson of a local Icelandic horse association for two years as well as France’s sports leader for four years. I am now coming to the end of my third year as a breeding leader in France, which will be my last for now. Managing Horses of Iceland is an excellent opportunity for me to unite my skills in project management and my passion for the Icelandic horse.
What was your experience of Icelandic horses before you joined the Horses of Iceland?
I actually started riding horses in France as a child. I would, however, always spend my summers in Iceland and go on riding courses. My parents were not being into horses at all, so I had no idea about the two extra gaits. I’ll never forget the day I realized I could sit comfortably in my saddle in what I thought was trot but was tölt! When I was about to turn 15, my grandparents gave me a horse, making my craziest and longest dream come true! I could now ride in nature every night after school and had the best friend I could ever ask for. After graduating high school, I actually thought I wanted to get into politics or law but as you heard in my previous answer, I quickly turned back to horses.
What are the promotional activities you have for the Icelandic horse in different locations worldwide?
Horses of Iceland aims to promote every aspect of the Icelandic horse and its community around the world. We are funded by the private sector. However, the government equals the funds we raise from private entities up to a certain amount per year. Much of our work revolves around content creation and digital communication: our website and social media accounts. There, we try to educate our audience about anything related to Icelandic horses. A few times a year, we also select big shows or expositions where we have big booths and try to bring Icelandic horses.. We also promote our partners, who are the ones funding the project and making this possible. Our next two events will be in Munich next weekend (we are teaming up with Inspired by Iceland and the German Icelandic Horse Association to bring Icelandic horses and food to the people of Munich) and the Icelandic Riding World Championships in the Netherlands in August.
What online resources do you recommend for Icelandic horse enthusiasts around the globe?
Horses of Iceland, of course! If you head over there, you’ll both get a whole bunch of information about the Icelandic horse. We link to a lot of other websites where you can learn things about horses, find the Icelandic horse in your country or find the best tour operator for your next horse trip in Iceland! You can follow Horses of Iceland on Instagram, and Facebook.
What are your favorite activities and places in Iceland?
Besides horse riding, I really like hiking and, of course, enjoying the natural hot springs.
I think my favorite place of all is Ásbyrgi. I promise it has nothing to do with the fact that it’s a hoofprint 😉 The highlands in Fjallabak are also amazing, and I have many great memories there. If I had to choose, I’d say Hrafntinnusker [on the Laugavegur hiking trail] and Mælifellssandur are favorites of mine there.
What advice do you have for those visiting Iceland for the first time?
If you really want to discover the island, make sure you have time.I always tell my friend that it’s better to save up a little longer. Have two full weeks to really be able to enjoy the places you go to without being in a rush. This way, you’ll also have better chances to make the most of the weather. We all know it’s a little unpredictable here, but sometimes, you just need to change your plan a little and switch activities between days or drive a few more Kilometers to enjoy beautiful light or a ray of sunshine when it matters the most to you. If you’re on a tight schedule, you won’t have this flexibility. That’s fine, but I think it can make a difference to the quality of your trip and allow you to be more spontaneous if you discover things you’d like to do on the way. Oh, and take the time to try local food, This includes seafood, lamb or skyr and of course get to know our beautiful horses, even without riding. I promise you won’t regret it.
Key facts about Icelandic horses:
- Icelandic horses are one of the purest breeds globally, tracing their lineage back over 1000 years to the Viking settlement.
- The breed has survived and adapted to the harsh Icelandic climate through natural selection, which eliminated horses that were not suited to the environment. In the 1780s, a volcanic eruption at Laki caused significant loss to the breed.
- There is a wide variety of colors and color patterns in Icelandic horses. There are over 100 names for these variations in the Icelandic language.
- Icelandic horses have remarkable longevity and fertility. Some individuals have lived to ages 56 and 42 in Denmark and Great Britain, respectively. Both males and females can breed up to the age of 25, and mares have been known to give birth at age 27.
- The first breeding society for Icelandic horses was established in Iceland in 1904. Today, the breed is represented by organizations in 23 different nations under the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations.
