The Icelandic people don’t consider Icelandics to be ponies, so they call them horses. This is because they have bred them to do the work of horses. They’re used to herd sheep, compete in tolting-related events, and to carry kids and other family members around. They have in the past had a very aggressive culling program, so the remaining offspring are supposedly the best of the best.

They do have pony blood – it’s from Northern European bloodlines. There’s some Shetland, Exmoor, Norwegian Fiord, and Welsh in the mix. The gene pool is such in Iceland that no new blood is allowed in, so the resultant horse is a pure strain.

Tinni, Alys, & Ranger

This is what I most like about these creatures. They are extremely hardy and can withstand cold temperatures fairly well. They don’t do as well in heat, so this is a trade-off.

A few of my Icelandic horse owning acquaintances have moved south, to where it is extremely hot in the summer. Some others I know are considering doing this. This may be the best for them, but not their horses.

I’ve heard locally that horses of other breeds are not long lived – in fact horses in their 20s are considered old. This is because (I think) they’re not suited to being in Alaska, a place where it’s winter eight (count ‘em eight) months of the year.

Something I’ve been considering, in hopes of increasing the longevity of my equine friends. Like all horses, Icelandics can suffer from impaction colic, which is a blockage in the intestines that often is fatal. There are preventative measures, and I am implementing them. In order for the gut to remain motile, they need to be fed good hay fairly often during the course of the day. They also need access to warm water.

Pete’s been doing an excellent job of making sure the mares and Tinni have warm water. He fills five-gallon buckets and runs the water down to the enclosure twice, sometimes three times a day.

And they need to be kept moving, so that they will keep drinking.

Today, with gut motility in mind, I got all four out. I first walked each of them around the loop, then rode Siggi’s Loop. I bypassed Siggi’s Loop with Tinni – instead I just took him for a walk around the loop with my friend Becky. I took Tinni because he loves girl talk.

The horses very much enjoy these walks, and so do I. This is also good for their backs in that it further strengthens them.

Lately I’ve been feeling rather depressed; however, today, in getting the horses out, I felt a little more upbeat. They are all kind, gentle, and well-behaved animals. It just made me feel good to be in their presence. And I thought, I am fortunate to have horses that are well suited to being in this very cold climate.

Next: 316. 11/15/21: The Book Project: An Amazing Partnership