Gaits

Walk (fetgangur)
The horse puts one hoof after the other on the ground. Therefore it's a four-beat gait with at least two feet touching the ground at one time. Walk is important in training Icelandics, because it has the same footfall as the tolt, and it helps the horse to relax, before continuing with the next exercise.

Trot (brokk)
A two-beat diagonal gait, where the fore foot of one side and the hind foot of the other side move simultaneously. Trot is used as a basic training for young horses, because its diagonal movement enables the horse to find its balance with a rider on the back. Five gaited horses often have problems with trotting, but it's important to train this gait as well as the others. Because of the intense movements trot is difficult for the rider, but the horse can travel long distances in this gait without getting tired. [Video Clip - 181 KB]

Canter/Gallop (valhopp/stökk)
Gallop is a three-beat gait with a jumping movement. Slow gallop is called canter. It tends to be a four-beat and is quite comfortable for the rider. [Video Clip - 288 KB]

Tölt
The tolt has the same footfall as walk, but it's a lot faster. There are only one or two hooves at the ground at the same time. It's the most comfortable gait for the rider, and the horse can keep it up for long distances and manage difficult terrain safely. The speed of tolt varies. A good tolting horse has a good action in his forehand and carries his head freely. [Video Clip - 448 KB]

Flying pace (flugskeid)
Just like trot pace is a two-beat gait. But not the diagonal pair of legs move together, it's the feet on the same side which correspond. Icelandic Horses are only shown in fast "flying" pace on short distances. Slow pace is often referred to as "pig pace". [Video Clip - 294 KB]