The Icelandic horse is the national horse of Iceland and is famous for its four-beat tölt gait.
Icelandic horses descend from horses brought to Iceland by Norse settlers, probably during the settlement period in the ninth and tenth centuries. Geographic isolation helped preserve a distinct population, and Iceland has restricted horse imports for centuries to protect its horses from disease and maintain the breed’s characteristics.
The breed is small but is generally classified as a horse rather than a pony. It is known for sure-footedness, hardiness, and several gaits. Alongside the ordinary walk, trot, canter, and gallop, many Icelandic horses perform the tölt, a smooth four-beat lateral gait.
Some also perform the flying pace, a fast two-beat gait. Not every individual performs every gait equally well.