Icelandic Horse

In Fljótstunga there are 11 horses. The owner is Bjarni H. Johansen, former farmer and manager of Fljótstunga Tourist Farm, a sailor and a handscraftsman.

In the beginning of the summer of 2011 a new pony, the 11th member of the group, was born. She, the pony, has not been named as of writing this but her name will surely have a place on this page.

The Icelandic horse is in many ways a unique and impressice animal. It was first brought to Iceland during the Viking Age, most probably with Norwegian settlers. Known for its small size yet strong and steady walk over the rugged terrain of Iceland the Icelandic horse differs from other horses around the world with its 5 different types of walks or 'gaits'.

Most horses have 3 types of walks; walk, trot and gallop. The Icelandic horse has 2 additional walks, the former known in Iceland as the 'tölt' and the latter called 'skeið' which is a faster kind of pace.

Due to the harsh and rough weathers in Iceland the Icelandic horse has had to adapt. A mare (female horse) is known to hold giving birth until the time and conditions are right and with sometimes up to a month of margin. Sometimes they're even known to abort the birth if they consider themselves outsiders in a new group and don't belief the environment to be a good and prosperous place for their unborn foal.

Additionally, here below you can see two example videos of the unique walks of the Icelandic horse.

1) The horse Klara from Flugumýri, Iceland, doing the 'tölt'.



2) Dímon from Neðra-Skarð, Iceland, doing the 'skeið'.