Source: Stonehaven Icelandics

Photo by Kersti Nebelsiek

The decision to buy a horse is a big one.  You have to consider do you have the time, the place to keep him, the experience and support and also the money to afford him.  One of the advantages of an Icelandic horse is that they are not so demanding to look after as many other horses.  Of course they need adequate food, shelter, water and health care but generally their demands are more modest.  These qualities can make them an attractive purchase for someone who is trying to balance other demands such as work and family.

If you are planning to buy an Icelandic there are a few issues to consider.  There are three sources of Icelandics (1) direct from a breeder in this country, (2) a horse imported by a dealer from Iceland directly for sale, or (3) a private purchase of a second hand horse from another owner or dealer.

There are a number of Icelandic horse breeders in this country ranging from owners who breed an occasional foal to some studs that invest a lot of time and money in maintaining a breeding herd and produce a number of foals each year.  One of the advantages of buying from a breeder is that you will be able to find out a lot about the horse you are buying, its background and how other horses it is related to are doing with their owners.  Home bred horses usually come with a clean bill of health and the breeders will be able to provide some ongoing help and support. However, in this country the degree of training that these horses get varies from breeder to breeder and in some cases the breeders lack the necessary experience to train them fully as riding horses.  Generally the larger well established studs will be able to provide more support on the training side and will have trained horses as well as unbroken horses for sale.

The number of Icelandic horses bred in this country is around 50 each year.  Consequently the range of colours, types and experience is more limited.  Many breeders will of course wish to retain some of their best animals for their own use or breeding and so another option is to consider buying an imported horse.  Iceland has approximately 50,000 Icelandic horses and produces about 5,000 foals each year.  In addition there is a whole infrastructure of trainers, riding schools and so on to support the breeders. This means that importing and Icelandic (to order or buying from a selection imported by a dealer) can provide a wider choice but may be more expensive because of importation costs (flight, handling, tax and haulage).  It would be wrong to say that the imported horse is in anyway better or worse than a home bred horse.  The choice is just wider but issues such as health (sweet itch) and cost of importation must also be taken into account.

Buying a second hand Icelandic from another private owner or through a dealer is much the same as buying any horse.  It is important to find out as much as you can about the horse, make sure it is suitable for your requirements and check for soundness and other health issues.  An experienced older horse can be a very wise buy for a newcomer to Icelandics, but the availability of such horses is relatively low because most owners want to hang on to them!  Of course they do come up for sale, mostly through word of mouth or from some of the main Icelandic horse dealers or centres.

It is important to make a realistic assessment of your own abilities and experience.  Icelandic horses vary in temperament and some are very forward going and sensitive.  It is important to discuss your experience with the seller and try a few different Icelandic horses to find what suits you best and makes you feel comfortable.  Even experienced big horse riders can take time to adjust to the nimble Icelandic horse.

If you are buying a young or inexperienced horse it is necessary to consider what would you like that horse to develop into.  Do you have the experience to train it and develop the gaits?  If not, do you think you could learn? Regular training courses are available in various parts of the country run by Icelandic horse clubs and of course it helps to have other Icelandic horse owners near by.  If you live far away from other owners and would find it difficult to attend a training course then perhaps consider buying a more experienced horse.

Health issues are very important.  Certain Icelandics have a higher risk of sweet itch than others and along with that comes a more onerous care regime.  If you are considering buying a horse which has sweet itch, or has a higher risk of developing that condition, then be sure that you are willing to take on the extra responsibility for this health care not only in the early years but also as the horse gets older.  Consider also if the facilities you have are suitable for a sweet itch case and offer dry shade and respite from biting midges.