Meet the Icelandic Horse

Youth Involvement
If you cant wait to participate in Icelandic horse activities the United States Icelandic Horse Congress USIHC offers a variety of fun youth programs. One of the newest is the USIHC PenPal Program which connects youth participants who love Icelandics and wish to exchange letters for one year.
Due to their size and temperament Icelandics make excellent mounts for youth and adults alike. Left to right Bella Covert riding Kani frá Feti and Emmy Stewart riding Safír from FiveGait Farm. Photo by Asta Covert
The USIHC offers National Ranking shows educational opportunities and plenty of ways for youth members to get involved. Membership comes with fun bonuses access to all archived back issues of the USIHCs quarterly magazine as well as access to the online studbookgreat for students of bloodlines and pedigrees!
Regardless of where you live USIHC members can also participate in the Sea 2 Shining Sea Ride. This is a free virtual ride where you can log hours spent in the saddle and compete as an individual or on a team.
Love to write? The Spaeri Youth Award is awarded annually to a youth member who exhibits determination and a deep commitment to the Icelandic breed based on articles submitted for the quarterly magazine.
If youre especially serious about Icelandics and expanding your skill and knowledge you might be interested in the international FEIF Youth Cup or FEIF Youth Camp which are held in Europe every two years. FEIF the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations is the international governing body for the breed.
Did You Know?
Icelandics range in size from 12 to 14 hands but 13 to 14 hands is most common and 12 2 to 13 2 hands is considered ideal.
All colors along with pinto patterns are acceptable. According to the U S. Icelandic Horse Congress Icelandics can be found in more than 100 color variations and the breed standard encourages preservation of a wide range of colors.
There are approximately 280000 Icelandic horses worldwide with about 90000 of those in Iceland. Just under 6000 reside in the United States.
Icelandic horses come in all colors including pinto patterns. Though they stand under 14 2 hands their shape is more like a horses build than a ponys. Photo by Paulette Johnson
Whether you have your own Icelandic horse or simply love the breed there are plenty of ways to get involved with Icelandics and join the fun!