The equipment of an Icelandic horse

Icelandic horses are small but powerfully built horses that have particular demands on their equipment. They are relatively broad to stocky horses for their body size and also have a short back. In addition, their gaits are different from those of non-gaited breeds. Saddles, bridles and accessories for Icelandic horses are similar in many ways to classic equipment. Nevertheless, they have certain characteristics and special features that we would like to introduce to you in this guide.

The Icelandic Saddle

The Icelandic saddle is also called a tölt saddle or gaited horse saddle, as it is designed for the special movement patterns of four- and five-gaited horses. The two gaits require immense freedom of shoulder movement, the forehand movements demand a lot of space upwards and forwards. In order not to impair the rotation of the shoulder joints, a gaited horse saddle places the rider relatively far back. The shifting of the centre of gravity allows the forehand sufficient freedom of movement. In addition, the rider must be able to sit comfortably as well as securely and balanced.

A gaited horse saddle therefore has a flat seat that allows the rider to sit very close to the horse and shifts the centre of gravity to the rear. The stirrup leathers are placed further back than on a standard saddle. This means that the rider’s legs are almost in the middle of the horse’s body and at the same time stand away from it. To ensure that the rider has a secure seat during the high speeds of tölt and flying pace, the stirrups are always worn long. The saddle flap is elongated similar to a dressage saddle.

The Icelandic saddle must take into account not only the width of the horse but also the shortness of the back. The saddle panels must not rest on the haunches and restrict the horse’s mobility of the hindquarters. That is why gaited horse saddles are cut short.

The saddle tree is made of wood, aluminium, fibreglass or steel. The saddle surface can be made of synthetic, suede or smooth leather.

The saddle pads are more flexible and softer than those of classic models and are filled with synthetic wool or cushioning foam.

Important accessories for Icelandic saddles

The saddle pads are cut to fit the gaited horse saddle. They are also adapted to the short Icelandic horse back. Furthermore, an anti-slip pad can be placed under the saddle to provide additional support.

Our tip: The Fengur Icelandic Numnah Héla is equipped with sewn-on foam rubber pads. The sponge rubber prevents the saddle from slipping and gives particularly good hold during tölt and pace.

Depending on the Icelandic horse and the saddle, different girths can be used. For Icelandic horses, anatomically shaped girths are suitable, especially for bellied horses. They are slightly cut back towards the middle on both sides to give the horse enough elbow room. Short girths are often used for Icelandic horses, as the girth straps of most gaited horse saddles are long. However, there are also models that require a long girth. Whether a long or short girth is needed varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Safety stirrups are used in Icelandic riding. They are designed for the special gaits of the Icelandic horse and the resulting different ways the rider sits. They are often called „Icelandic stirrups“. The curved shape makes it easier for the rider to slip out of the stirrup if he should fall off the horse. In addition, the suspension of the stirrup is transverse, which is why the stirrup hangs parallel to the horse and the rider can pick up the stirrup again more easily after losing it.

On stirrup holders, the stirrups can be easily attached to the rings of the saddle when not in use.

A saddle bag can also be attached to the saddle rings. These are ideal for riding tours on the Icelandic horse.

Enchanting bridles for Icelandic horses

The Iceland bridle hardly differs from the classic version. Nevertheless, a correct bridle is more than helpful for the needs of a gaited horse. The heads of Icelandic horses are small, but relatively broader than the heads of other small horses or pony breeds. It therefore makes sense to use bridles that are specifically designed for this breed.

When it comes to bridles for Icelandic horses, a distinction is made between drop or flash nosebands or simple headpieces. In order to take the love of Iceland and the Icelandic attitude to life with you on your ride, imaginatively decorated browbands are very popular among Icelandic riders. The different shapes reflect the sagas and myths of the Nordic island and visually round off the equipment of the Icelandic horse.

Our tip: The enchanting Fengur browbands have beautiful logo press studs on the side, with which the band can be quickly and easily attached to the headpiece.

The reins often have snap hooks for easy fastening and unfastening. This makes it easy to attach the reins to the bit rings and clip them in. These are well suited for hacking, to let the horse graze or to tie it somewhere. The snap hooks can be easily removed from the bit rings and clipped onto the noseband. However, if the Icelandic horse is trained classically and a fine, calm rein connection between the rider’s hand and the horse’s mouth is necessary, the classical attachment is more advisable.

Weight Boots and Pastern Wraps – Training Accessories for the Icelandic Horse

With the many gaits that an Icelandic horse offers, it can quickly come to a „gait mix“. This means that the individual gaits and variations are mixed together and can no longer be clearly separated from each other. The tölt can show less tölt components, especially at a slower pace, and instead become very pacy.

Studies have shown that the rhythm often suffers when the horse shows a high leg action, but the hooves themselves only stay on the ground for a short moment. As a result, especially the slow tölt tends to pace. Weights on the hooves have the effect that the legs are stretched further and thus the strides become longer and more ground covering. As soon as the hoof is set down, it stays longer on the ground before it is lifted again. The rhythm within the gait improves, the movement becomes less pacy.

To achieve a clear rhythm, many Icelandic riders use weight boots or bale boots. Weight boots are strapped around the fetlock, while bale boots enclose the bale and protect it from bruises by overreaching.

Weight boots and bale boots are commercially available from 110 to 280 grams. At competitions, however, a maximum of 250 grams per hoof is allowed. This regulation is laid down by the IPO, the Icelandic Horse Testing Regulations for Sports Tournaments, as well as the FEIF, the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations.

Pastern wraps can be used under the weight boots to prevent chafing.