The Icelandic Horse is a-matter-a-fact Celtic in origin. Their ancestors were brought to Iceland from the British Isles by the Norse (the vikings from Norway). Due to the island's isolation, the Icelandic has been preserved in its pure form for thousands of years prior to modern transportation; in which to continue preservation, no other animal is allowed to enter the country. They also prohibit any animals that have left the island to return in case they bring outside diseases that haven't touched Iceland yet. The Icelandic is most known for their gaited abilities such as the Tölt and the Flying-Pace. They are used primarily for under saddle and are extremely surefooted.
The height ranges from 12.3hh-13.1hh. Though they are small in stature, they are very much like a normal sized horse at heart and should never be considered a pony - and don't tell the Icelandic people that their horse is a pony either. They exhibit all solid colors and most Pinto patterns including the new strain of Dominant White through the stallion, Ellert, born in 2010 with W21.
Resources:
"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks
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