The Viking horses of Iceland have crossed the cold northern seas and descended on Solva in their droves.

These fiery animals with untamed bushy manes and distinctive strides are now part of the scenery at a local coastal smallholding.

Mic Rushen, who lives on the outskirts of Solva, became interested in the breed 20 years ago, after a fall from her cob made her nervous, and now has a number of Icelandic horses in her fields, and confesses to be addicted to the breed.

Icelandics are the original Viking horses, and the settlers took their best horse over to Iceland on open ships in the ninth century. For the last 1,000 years no other horses have been imported into Iceland, and care has been taken to preserve the breed.

They remain one of the most pure bred horses in the world, directly descended from the Viking horse, and it is very rare to find a cross-breed.

In there native home of Iceland the horses swim across glacial rivers carrying a rider, and are known as the bridges of the island. In a country where the roads were unsuitable, these hardy horses were the only means of transport for many centuries.

Despite their size they are always referred to as horses as there is no Icelandic word for pony.

Mic has made several trips to Iceland, and has learned the language to deal with horse dealers.

She flies horses over and also breeds them on her farm, and all have Icelandic names.

She said: "They are great fun to ride and are pretty hardy. It's a real infection, they have changed my life.

"It's not how they look, but what they can do. They have lovely characters. I can go into a field of stallions and colts and know that I will not get kicked or bitten."

The breed is known for its charm, strength and courage, and has a dramatic mop of mane flying above a coat that can grow several inches thick.

Tough, forward-going and hardy, intelligent and good-natured, these horses are growing in popularity across Europe, and, despite only measuring 12 to 14hh, they can carry an adult or child.

These unique horses have two extra gaits in addition to the walk, trot, canter and gallop of other equines. Tolt' is a completely smooth pace with the same footfall as walk, but a range of speeds that can keep up with a walk or gallop, increasing without the rider feeling any change of gear.

The pace is described as very comfortable and elegant.

Displays involve riders carrying a glass of beer or water in one hand and the reins in another, without spilling a drop.

Flying pace' allows a 13.2hh horse to reach speeds of 30mph with a six-foot man in the saddle.

The horses take part in all types of competition, but the Icelandic horse society of Great Britain also hosts special events to show off the horses' gaits.

Mic said: "It's almost like a dressage test, but with a lovely fiery Porche of a horse that goes like the clappers."

Viking re-enactments are also a popular spectacle featuring the breed, where riders have the chance to dress the part.

Mic said: "Riders recently dressed up as Vikings and hit each other with swords as part of a TV show.

They were mainly women, so they had to stick on beards to look the part."

"The horses are still quite a rare breed over here; there are about 500 in Britain and perhaps 60 in Wales. The society now has 300 members, and shows are held around the country. We have also sent teams to the World Championships, and more youngsters are getting involved."

At present Mic and her friend Maria Wright have over 40 horses of all ages, from foals to 30 year-olds, grazing the Solva small-holding and adjoining National Trust land.

Mic added: "Icelandics are addictive. Like Belgian chocolates it's difficult to stop at just the one."

For more information about Icelandic horses visit www.ihsgb.co.uk.

4:19pm Monday 3rd December 2007

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www.ihsgb.co.uk

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