The number of Icelandic Horse owners in North America is on a slight rise possibly due to buyers and newcomers being more informed and more selective in choosing their Icelandic Horse. It is true that not all Icelandic Horses are calm and mellow.
Potential buyers are on the search for the calm, well-trained trail horse.
Newcomers to the breed are showing more interest in horsemanship, taking over the responsibility of the re-training of their horses for American riding, and learning more from gaited horse and natural horsemanship trainers and experts. Click on to Email Lists for further info on how to get connected with gaited horse and natural horsemanship trainers. History One of the earliest groups of Icelandic Horses were imported to the United States around 1960, to the Wisconsin area. There are a few breeders in North America who have been involved with Icelandic Horses for approximately 25 years. Since the breed is relatively new to North America, some people would like to see that the horse is traditionally bred, raised, trained, ridden, and shown as in Iceland.