Of Horses and Men - Unforgettable Icelandic Film; Trailer; Hross í oss; The Icelandic Horse - Five gaits; Tölt

Wonderful film - beautifully directed by Benedikt Erlingsson

Guardian Review

The 5-gaited Icelandic horse

Icelandic Horse (Wikipedia)

Super Tölt on an Icelandic Horse

More on the Icelandic Horse -

THE FIVE GAITS (http://www.ishestar.is)

"The walk is a four-beat gait. When walking the horse should be relaxed, moving ahead briskly, putting each foot down independently. The walk is also good for releasing tension and to teach the horse to work in a more focused manner.

The trot is a two-beat gait where front and hind legs on opposite sides move together. The trot is one of the so-called basic gaits and is used a lot in basic training before the horse masters tölt.

The canter/gallop is a three-beat gait, ridden at different speeds. A slow canter is comfortable and is common all over the world in different horse breeds. A fast gallop can liven up the horse and increase its willingness, positive attitude and enthusiasm to work.

The tölt is the specialty of the Icelandic Horse. It is a smooth four-beat gait in which the horse hind legs should move well under the body and carry more of the weight on the hind part, allowing the front to rise and be free and loose.

The flying pace is a two-beat gait, well known in the international racing world. When pacing the horse moves both legs on the same side together. In Iceland pace horses are ridden in races, not raced in front of a sulky like in other countries and pace racing in Iceland is one of the oldest and most respected equestrian sports".