Cute new arrival for rare breed
CURIOUS and cute, fiveweek-old foal Bjort is also the first filly foal of her rare breed to be born in Tasmania.
While there are a few Icelandic horses in the state, they are still an unusual breed and Bjort’s owner Jane Gregor has fallen in love with.
Ms Gregor said after a 25year break from owning horses, it was a trip to Iceland 2½ years ago that prompted her to get involved with the ancient breed.
“I just love their temperaments and how they bond with people,” she said. “I didn’t ever think I’d get the love back with horses, but once I saw the Icelandics that was it.”
The breed’s history can be traced back for more than 1000 years to the original horses that went to Iceland.
Icelandics are a gaited breed, which means as well as being able to move in the standard four horse gaits – walk, trot, canter and gallop – some can also pace and perform the unique tolt gait.
Ms Gregor bought Bjort’s mother Lukka from a stud in Victoria.
As one of the breed’s original imports, Lukka’s bloodlines are quite unique as her father was from Iceland and her mother from Denmark.
Ms Gregor said Icelandics are ideally suited to the Tasmanian climate because they can handle cold conditions.
A solid type breed, Icelandics come in a wide range of colours and can be up to about 14.2hh.
The breed can be used for a number of different sports, including endurance, and Ms Gregor said because they are not easily spooked, they make ideal trail riding horses for nervous riders.