Gaited

Icelandic Horse

hardy, sure-footed, friendly

Origin

Iceland

Withers height

130–145 cm

Gaited riding (tölt/pace)LeisureEndurance

Traits & strengths

✦additional, comfortable gaits: tölt and pace
✦exceptional sure-footedness in the field
✦hardy and weatherproof (outdoor keeping)
✦long-lived — often rideable into old age

Breed-typical predispositions

Sweet itch

Disease →

high prevalence, especially in animals imported to the mainland — insect protection is central

Bone spavin (tarsal osteoarthritis)

Disease →

described with intensive gaited sport

Latest findings

DMRT3 'gait keeper'

2012

A DMRT3 mutation governs the ability for additional gaits (tölt/pace) — a milestone of gaited-horse genetics and the explanation for the breed's special strength.

Source · Andersson et al. — Nature 2012

Sweet itch heritability

ongoing

Studies show a hereditary component of the midge allergy; early-exposed animals are less often affected.

Source · Equine IBH heritability research