Icelandic Horses Have Unique Gait

Icelandic Horses Have Unique Gait LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules Strong hardy and friendly the breed of horse known as Icelandic is gaining popularity across the United States Averaging 12 to 13 hands high “They are big horses in little bodies ” according to Bayley Donahue Donahue exercises the Icelandics that are raised at Hanging Valley Ranch outside of Carbondale Colorado She rides nearly every day regardless of the weather and says “They have a lot of go with no spoiled-pony attitudes ” Oakton Applegate manager of the ranch likes their consistently calm dispositions He explains “If you don’t ride a Quarter horse for six months he’s going to be salty An Icelandic stays smooth sensible and willing to please ” Shortly after taking the job in 2005 Oakton traded in his own Quarter horses A lifelong hunter he once tested a four-year-old Icelandic by tossing a cougar carcass over its neck “It didn’t spook at all but just stood there ” he said But the most unique thing about Icelandic horses is their natural ability to gait Besides the walk trot and canter they do a “tolt ” which is described as a gallop-like walk covering 20 miles an hour It is so smooth that a rider can drink from a glass of water without spilling a drop Another the “flying pace ” is a two-beat movement that’s most commonly used for short-distance racing In the pace both legs on one side alternate with both legs of the other allowing the horse to reach speeds of up to 30 miles an hour The owners of Hanging Valley Garry and Sharon Snook imported three prized mares after falling in love with them in 1999 Using artificial insemination they “mixed and matched” the mares with three prized stallions to get the finest animals In 2015 two of their horses were judged “highest evaluated in the U S ” Most are sold for trail pleasure and competition being shipped as far away as Alaska Kentucky and North Carolina The Icelandic is one of the purest-bred horses in the world having originated around 865 A D with stock that belonged to Norsemen No other breeds have been brought into the country since then Once an animal leaves it cannot be brought back in thus ensuring that pureness Temperatures rarely rise above 50 degrees in their native country so Icelandic horses are well-adapted to harsh weather They grow thick heavy coats and long luxurious manes and tails “We leave ours outside all year long even when foaling ” Oakton said Although there is a spacious barn on the property “we only stall an animal if it’s being inseminated or needs special care ” For more information go to icelandicmountainhorses com or email oakapplegate@hotmail com

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