11. Breeding

When the horse arrived in Iceland, it brought along its varied genetic composition, which has been the basis for breeding ever since. It is likely that intentional breeding started to some extent as soon as the country was settled, but it is not always clear what goals were set in these matters. Sources indicate that some of the famous people of the Saga Age were charmed by certain colours, and they wanted to own courageous and strong horses for the games – meaning horse fights. Obviously, people also had to be able to travel widely, and it did no harm to arrive at parliament on a good mount. From the beginning, willingness, stamina and soft gaits were probably the qualities that people tried to maintain in the stock.