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Icelandic horses
Don't call them ponies
On the shaggy and smallish side, Icelandic horses are descendants of ponies brought by Vikings from their colonies in the British Isles. Despite their diminutive size, they're indeed classified as horses – the only breed found here in Iceland. In a herd of these hoofers, you'll see coats that vary in colour as much as the earthy landscapes of their home island. In fact, the Icelandic language has more than 100 names for the horses' manifold hues and patterns.
Don't call them ponies
On the shaggy and smallish side, Icelandic horses are descendants of ponies brought by Vikings from their colonies in the British Isles. Despite their diminutive size, they're indeed classified as horses – the only breed found here in Iceland. In a herd of these hoofers, you'll see coats that vary in colour as much as the earthy landscapes of their home island. In fact, the Icelandic language has more than 100 names for the horses' manifold hues and patterns.
Viking Age settlers bred Icelandic horses to hold up to some of the harshest conditions out there.
© twildlife / iStock / Getty Images Plus 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :