Iceland: Icelandic Horses

Icelandic horses are a breed native only to Iceland. They were originally brought here from Scandinavia and then bred over years into a very distinct type. No import of horses is allowed to Iceland, and any that are exported may never return. They are beautiful and very friendly show horses, although in Iceland they are used for everyday farm work. They have a big unruly mane of hair and come in many different coat colors – including chestnut, dun, bay, black, gray, palomino, pinto and roan. In fact, Icelandic language has over 100 words for color, likely due to horses.