| Horses thrived and survived in various regions and | | | | Icelandic Horse has been able to keep it's due to the |
| climates. Each area developed distinct breeds with | | | | purity of the breed, being the only breed in Iceland. Of |
| qualities that were vital to the people of that region. In | | | | the most fascinationg feature of the Icelandic horse is |
| many ways, horses changed the lives of the people | | | | it's extreme genetic purity. The hardships they survived |
| they served. Desert Nomads and Horses | | | | have given a horse that is not afraid to face the world. |
| In the desert and grasslands, camels are more | | | | Both horse and people have had to face cold and |
| practical as they can survive long periods without food | | | | starvation on more than one occasion in Iceland. The |
| and water, unlike horses. As a result few true desert | | | | horse carried it's owners over the rough terrain of |
| bred horses exist today, so they are rarely seen in | | | | Iceland which includes lava fields, mountains, and many |
| show rings, remaining mostly for breeding. Other desert | | | | rivers. It is certainly not an ideal setting for the horse. |
| type horses evolved, but none were ever considered | | | | Vikings and Horses |
| by the Bedouins for their Arabians. | | | | The Vikings recognized the value and political power |
| The nomadic people were the first to domesticate | | | | of their horses and gave them a place of great honor |
| horses. They encouraged both pacing and other flying | | | | in their history and culture. To them, the horse was |
| gaits which could carry their tribes long distances | | | | more than a war horse or a means of travel. So, |
| without tiring the horses. The severe climate required | | | | when the first Vikings set sail to explore Northern |
| the nomads to share food and water, and sometimes | | | | oceans, along with them went the strong little horses. |
| even their tents with their horses. | | | | American Indians and Horses |
| In addition, with the nomadic nature of the Gypsy | | | | Indians of that era had never seen horses and to them |
| peoples, their horses had to be adaptable to varying | | | | the horse and rider team were a godlike being. Many |
| climates, terrains and living conditions. The result of this | | | | religious ceremonies were based on the horse and its |
| culling has led to the Gypsy Vanner Horse being one | | | | contribution to the life of the Indian. To try and keep |
| of the most docile horses in the world. | | | | this belief, it was illegal for some years for an Indian to |
| Icelandic Horses | | | | ride a horse much less own one. The acquisition of the |
| Centuries of isolation in Iceland has produced an | | | | horse completely changed the Plains Indian's way of |
| extremely sure footed horse who is agile on rough | | | | life, transforming them from plodding pedestrians to |
| terrain and shows great reserves of stamina. The | | | | nomadic hunters and warriors. |