It sounds like the Icelandic is too good to be true, correct?
A. Yes, it sure sounds too good to be true. And surely, like any other breed, even the Icelandic breed has good and bad traits and won’t suit everybody taste. Some of the problems that might be called breed specific are Spavin and Summer Eczema (basically identical with Sweet Itch, and mostly occurring with imported stock). Heat might become a problem, and in southern States the horses might need to be clipped regularly. Many Icelandic Horses have a sense of humor and they are bred to think for themselves – not a push button horse at all! And although many Icelandic Horses are well suitable for Beginners, it is safe to say that for many people it needs some adjustment to the horse’s willingness and animation, and the different gaits can be confusing. Even though the gaits are natural, it needs some skill to ride them properly, and I would recommend to take some “starter lessons” when getting into the breed. When it comes to selecting the right horse, Newcomers should look for a horse t
