In Iceland, horse breeding is considered an art, just as much as an agricultural business. No other horse breed in the world can claim such as a status in the minds of a whole nation. The Life of the Icelandic Horse Thousands of foals are born each year in Iceland. In almost all cases they are born outside in grassy fields, the occasional exception being when mares are still stabled. It is magical to witness a foal's birth in the beautiful nature of Iceland.
Breeders like to watch their foals closely in the beginning.
Many believe that the movements and spirit shown by the foal in the first few days will predict how they will turn out later in life. Future stallions and prize mares are often identified within a week of their birth. Usually the young horses will stay with the herd and live outdoors for the first four years of their life. In the summers they will graze in lush fields and in the winters they are fed hay and provided with shelter. In parts of northern Iceland horses are still allowed into the highlands to roam during the spring, summer and autumn.