วีดีโอ

I don't know if you are aware but the Icelandic horse was already an old breed when they were first brought to Iceland over a thousand years ago. This was the only type of horse that existed in North / Western Europe a thousand years ago. But soon after the Vikings brought these horses to Iceland, the rest of Europe began to import foreign horses and as a result the old native European horse became extinct everywhere except Iceland. The Irish archeologists have measured the skeleton remains of horses in Viking Dublin and rural Ireland, here is the measurements, quote from "the horse in early Ireland by Finbar McCormick" "The average horse shoulder height from Viking Dublin is 129.6 cm compared with 130.7 cm in rural Ireland." So, what do you think of that ? This was the average height of a horse in Western and Northern Europe at that time. They were sturdy animals, just like all the Icelndic horses were upto a century ago. Sadly, the trend for larger horses has been creaping into Iceland during the last few decades. Breeding these horses for competition in the show ring is changing them into a different type. The purpose of this horse was a hardy, brave, intelligent, practical little trail horse that could travel long distances and was very comfortable in the saddle. The topography of Europe at that time was largely covered in forests and bogs. These horses were the all terrain vehicle of that time. Here is a quote from the French chronicler Jean Froissart that dates to the time of the Anglo Norman invasion of Ireland around the late 12th century: ..."Ireland is one of the worst countries to make war in, or to conquer; for there are such impenetrable and extensive forests, lakes, and bogs, there is no knowing how to pass them, and carry on war advantageously. It is so thinly inhabited that, whenever the Irish please, they desert the towns and take refuge in the forests, and live in huts made of boughs, like wild beasts; and whenever they perceive any parties advancing with hostile dispositions, and about to enter their country, they fly to such narrow passes, it is impossible to follow them. When they find a favorable opportunity to attack their enemies to advantage, which frequently happens, from their knowledge of the country, they fail not to seize it."

Hi Dísa I would love to see a new video of Kalsi and you

Kobba kobb!! Hott hott!!❤

are you ever coming back, hestakot?

I love cats. Mine rides the horses

Lexi, hi

I love your videos and your work with Kalsi. you are so friendly and kind to the horse and your explanations help me a lot. Thank you Disa, I will practice a few things I learnt here with my two icelandic horses. Kind regards from southern germany.

I hear good things about iceland horses. Anybody know how much cost a normal iceland horse ? Iceland is expensive country maybe the horses is expensive too ??? Iceland horse can live in warm countries like a mediteranean countries ?

I learn so much by watching these videos! Thank you for taking the time to offer them to the world. :)

Thank you for this video. He seems to be most annoyed when he is confused. But gently so. I'm watching all your videos in preparation for evaluating a young, green Icelandic for trail riding. So again, thanks for posting them.

OMG the cat! I use training whips as cat toys... they love chasing them! Kalsi is best pony... seriously good videos on basic training, and a great breed

AHHHHHH I'm in love with the little grulla (black dun)...!!! Great look into basic groundwork ! Also funny photobombs by cat, dog and red horse.

Can they be ridden bareback in the outdoor arena?

Heskatot I love your farm,barn and your 2 icelandic horses,they are beautiful

I love the way that you are training your icelandic horse gelding

Heskatot your icelandic horse is really beautiful

I have not ridden an Icelandic horse and I have arthritis

I know that there are some Icelandic horse farms in Alberta and I think in Edmonton

What ideas and tips would you give beginner adults that want to buy,take care of,handle and ride an Icelandic horse in alberta canada that have not been riding horses since 1991? I am 56 and 4'7"and in the near future my goal is to eventually buy an Icelandic horse but I don't know where to work on my goal when I go about starting my future goal,should I start with buying the equipment and supplies first then work on saving up to buy an Icelandic horse?

Thank you for making these! I hope you continue to make more!

This helps me so much with my new icelandic horse, as a first time icelandic owner. Can you please make more videos about gates and how to transition, and keep them in the gates? Also greetings from Denmark!

👍🏽🙏🏽

Thank you Disa. I love your videos and your style of training . I'm working with my young gelding after having two yrs off. He has had 7 months training and now I am back riding again after hip replacement and starting him over again from the begining. I really like the way you work with Kalsi's topline and have started this with Dynfari a well. Please keep these most informative videos coming. Ps.. do you remember Blika fra Fitjamyri? She is doing great :)

Hi Disa, Thanks a lot for sharing I really enjoy the video. Are you planning to do another one ? I would love to know how you will do to get rid of the pacey tolt/piggy pace :)

Love this. I was at a clinic at Riva's in WI many years ago, just getting into Icelandics. It was you & Helga. 💞

Hi I love your video and how sweet you are! I was wondering at what age you start riding an islandic horse ?

Love this video!

Thank you so much Disa - really enjoying your videos. Great advice and amazing progress with Kalsi. He looks great! I am always trying to emulate your lessons and have seen great improvement with the lovely youngster I am lucky to ride ☀️ I just love the soft and relaxed way you ride and work with Kalsi - it's a real inspiration to see. Thank you! ❤️

Love your video’s 👍🏻 dank you so much

Great explanations, thank you Dísa! I see some diamond shaped exercises, leading reins and importance of weight shifts, balance rider 😃. Keep them coming.

i have been waiting for a notification from you, with your next steps moving forward with kalsi. never too late. i just purchased my first horse, a 15 year old mare, named joka, here in british columbia, canada. i am 56, brand new to horse ownership, but in love with the icelandic breed, and joka. she was sold as trained, but has not been ridden much in the last few years, if at all. when i first got her, i had some rushed, pacey rides, but i managed to get in a few really nice rides, with a quiet calm experience. until, out of the blue, she freaked out seeing the saddle pad, and i have not been able to get a pad, nor a saddle, on her, since. that was about 2 weeks ago. i am not dissuaded though. i will continue to work with her, and through this latest challenge. looking forward to more of your work with kalsi.

This is so useful , thank you so much ! I live in France and it's really difficult to find people with Icelandic Horse knowledge. I will definitely support you so you can keep going :)

Eyði ekki of miklum tíma á þessar með giftingarhringana.

Thankyou Disa

thanks for the nice video. i have an icelandic horse too. :)

Nice watch you working a horse that is not well trained, & how to work them.

Super 👍🏻🤩

Of course I am eagerly following your videos: so helpful with trying to address everyday riding challenges and bringing things back to basic principles of interaction between horse and rider. You are breaking it down in an understandable manner for me, thank you so much!

Sést mikill munur á honum strax!! Hlakka til að sjá næsta vídjó. Takk!!

Thank you Disa. Love seeing the progress in Kalsi - you make it look so easy. ⭐ Could you pls explain in more detail how you "get their shoulder"? How do you teach a young or inexperienced horse to leg yield; what aids/cues do you use specifically, for example when Kalsi doesn't understand and stands still, before he then gets it and crosses over a few steps? Thank you 🙏

Love your videos, Disa! Basics are always relevant. 😄 I think you're waking him up, into a more responsive fellow. Many excellent tips, techniques about the topline! Thank you.

Tack för dessa filmer som visar träning från grunden..jätteintressant! Ska bli roligt med fortsättningen/Mvh Yvonne

Awesome thank you!! Will definetly use that method for lowering the head to help my mare go down. Although right now I am at the hospital, she spooked and went into flight mode (train came up behind and even if I have done environment training, well she was quite nervous and starting to get blocked before so she seemed to only first hear the train when it was there right behind us and of course an opening in the trees by the train tracks and us so BIG noise.) She is only 4 years old and very reactive (which I like) but she is also quite fast and well a five gaiter with energy. I have lost her in flying pace a few times too.... The enclosure area has been under renovation so I moved to riding out a bit too early I guess. In any case am forced to let my hip heal a few weeks and then start again. I would love to see her move the head quicker down like your Kalsi. Its amazing to see that, wish I had known before! All the best, Ingibjörg Sweden

Hilarious and very nice, loved it. Happy St Patrick's Day to you all as well 🤩

Hæ I love your video! Is the reason why you pull the reins up and establish contact a bit upwards to make the horse think forward and then you release to kind of reinforce forward motion OR are you usually doing this to make the horse come to a halt? Wondering if I should test it on my 4 year old (5th winter) Riddari. Because he does the same has a thick neck and a raised head.

Little more energy, more stretching down, your suggestions are very helpful!

Great video! Would love to know how to differentiate tolt, trot and pace I do get all off them at once!

Ps. I would also be interested in seeing how you trim your horse's feet, if you could share that in a video?

Great videos Dísa, thanks so much for sharing this process. There's so much useful information and explanations in it, from mounting and standing still to importance of a relaxed rider, following hands, also hight etc. And he's improved so much already 😀👍! Keep these videos coming😍.

It's lovely to see the improvement in Kalsi after only a few days. I really like how you achieve this in such a calm and gentle manner and look forward to your next video. Will you also be riding your lovely chestnut mare? ☀️