Phew, finally found a livery yard and can't wait to meet my new mare!

Kirstineridesagain

Kirstineridesagain

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I've previously mentioned that I've bought a pregnant mare, unseen, from Denmark, due to arrive after Christmas. A bit of crazy decision, perhaps, but hopefully one that will work out well. I originally wanted diy livery, or part livery, close to where we live, but turns out livery yards aren't that keen on mares on foal (I can't blame them!) and although the yard I shared at did let me kero her there, they couldn't help with a foaling box etc. I realised that it would be hugely stressful and potentially unsafe, although she's had a foal with no problems before, I would basically have to live at the yard and be a nervous wreck!

I did know about the livery yard I've chosen, and know the owners, I used to ride there previously, and although there a some drawbacks, mostly the travel distance (30 minutes each way) and costs, it's full livery and I can go on holiday etc without worrying. She'll be in the best of hands, with other mares in foal, and they're all Icelandics and that's lovely for her (she may stay with some Shetlands at the start).

The photo of the palomino is the father of the foal.
 

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Well good luck.

What are you planning to do with the foal eventually?
Was she cheaper than a mare without being in foal or more expensive?
 
I'll obviously keep the foal until it's weaned, after that I don't know. Probably keep for a few years and have it trained at 4.5/5. I am not planning that far in advance, so we'll see what happens. My daughter might want to keep it as her riding horse.
 
FieldOrnaments said:
She's lovely - always wished i was short enough for an icelandic. 🤣 hope it all works out
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Thank you, I think so too! You don't have to be short to ride them - and there are taller specimens. The stallion in the photo is 150 cm, mine is 144. But if you're extremely tall you may actually be too tall - however, lots of tall people in Iceland are great riders.
 
Mrs. Jingle said:
She looks lovely, congratulations. Is the coloured foal alongside her in first pic. one of hers? Just being mildly nosey here as he does look like quite a tall boy. I look forward to seeing more pics when she arrives.They are compulsory of course. ☺️
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Thank you. 😊Of course, can't wait to show her off!

Yes, that foal is very tall. The sire is different, but our foal should be tall, too.

As I'm 5ft8in I need a taller Icelandic. Also on a mission to lose a bit of weight.
 
AthenesOwl said:
Congratulations! She’s lovely. I hope it all goes well.

Icelandics are fab little horses. I’ve been lucky enough to ride Icelandic horses a couple of times, once in Iceland, and they’ve been great fun.
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I'd love to go to Iceland one day, for the horses of course but also for the wool. Not happening for a few years, all the money will have to go to this one!
 
eahotson said:
I too love Icelandics and rode one in Iceland once.Out of curiosity what made you choose an Icelandic?
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I've always liked them. I rode one in my riding school when I was growing up in Norway. It was quite tiny, they used to be much smaller and we used to call them Icelandic ponies. I didn't come across the breed again until around 2005, when I discovered a trekking centre that used them outside Edinburgh (they stopped the treks a couple of years later and are still operating as a livery yard - this is where Kvedja will be going!).

We had children and I didn't take up riding again until about three years ago. But I rode a lovely one in Denmark a few years before that, and I was adamant that if I ever did buy a horsexit would be an Icelandic. A year ago I was looking for a new share horse, but this time I wanted an Icelandic. I found the one I'm still riding and became a member of the Icelandic Horse of Great Britain and also attended the Scottish Open for the Icelandic Horse in August. I love the breed and the people.

I very nearly managed to get a beautiful palomino Icelandic mare on full loan earlier in the autumn, but the owner changed her mind. My share horse is lovely but slowing down - he can be used for light hacking, but isn't a horse I can really take on long hacks, practise the gaits etc. My husband always said a firm "no way" every time I suggested buying a horse, but there were no Icelandics for loan anywhere. I was getting quite down about it, and started looking for horses for sale. Not much for sale in the UK, and the prices are high here.

Being Norwegian I felt comfortable buying from Scandinavia (or Iceland) as the language barrier doesn't exist (sort of, Icelandic is quite different but I understand it a bit). I found a very reputable breeder who's actually Norwegian, but living in Denmark. She suggested Kveðja as a family riding horse. I believe she could develop her gaits too and be used in amateur competitions. I didn't plan on buying a mare in foal, but here we are.
 
Kirstineridesagain said:
I've always liked them. I rode one in my riding school when I was growing up in Norway. It was quite tiny, they used to be much smaller and we used to call them Icelandic ponies. I didn't come across the breed again until around 2005, when I discovered a trekking centre that used them outside Edinburgh (they stopped the treks a couple of years later and are still operating as a livery yard - this is where Kvedja will be going!).

We had children and I didn't take up riding again until about three years ago. But I rode a lovely one in Denmark a few years before that, and I was adamant that if I ever did buy a horsexit would be an Icelandic. A year ago I was looking for a new share horse, but this time I wanted an Icelandic. I found the one I'm still riding and became a member of the Icelandic Horse of Great Britain and also attended the Scottish Open for the Icelandic Horse in August. I love the breed and the people.

I very nearly managed to get a beautiful palomino Icelandic mare on full loan earlier in the autumn, but the owner changed her mind. My share horse is lovely but slowing down - he can be used for light hacking, but isn't a horse I can really take on long hacks, practise the gaits etc. My husband always said a firm "no way" every time I suggested buying a horse, but there were no Icelandics for loan anywhere. I was getting quite down about it, and started looking for horses for sale. Not much for sale in the UK, and the prices are high here.

Being Norwegian I felt comfortable buying from Scandinavia (or Iceland) as the language barrier doesn't exist (sort of, Icelandic is quite different but I understand it a bit). I found a very reputable breeder who's actually Norwegian, but living in Denmark. She suggested Kveðja as a family riding horse. I believe she could develop her gaits too and be used in amateur competitions. I didn't plan on buying a mare in foal, but here we are.
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I sort of forgot to answer the question properly - I love their temperaments, their willingness, their comfortable fairs, their surefootedness, and their bravery. Plus their scruffy looks and size. They also tend to have few health issues.
 
Kirstineridesagain said:
I've always liked them. I rode one in my riding school when I was growing up in Norway. It was quite tiny, they used to be much smaller and we used to call them Icelandic ponies. I didn't come across the breed again until around 2005, when I discovered a trekking centre that used them outside Edinburgh (they stopped the treks a couple of years later and are still operating as a livery yard - this is where Kvedja will be going!).

We had children and I didn't take up riding again until about three years ago. But I rode a lovely one in Denmark a few years before that, and I was adamant that if I ever did buy a horsexit would be an Icelandic. A year ago I was looking for a new share horse, but this time I wanted an Icelandic. I found the one I'm still riding and became a member of the Icelandic Horse of Great Britain and also attended the Scottish Open for the Icelandic Horse in August. I love the breed and the people.

I very nearly managed to get a beautiful palomino Icelandic mare on full loan earlier in the autumn, but the owner changed her mind. My share horse is lovely but slowing down - he can be used for light hacking, but isn't a horse I can really take on long hacks, practise the gaits etc. My husband always said a firm "no way" every time I suggested buying a horse, but there were no Icelandics for loan anywhere. I was getting quite down about it, and started looking for horses for sale. Not much for sale in the UK, and the prices are high here.

Being Norwegian I felt comfortable buying from Scandinavia (or Iceland) as the language barrier doesn't exist (sort of, Icelandic is quite different but I understand it a bit). I found a very reputable breeder who's actually Norwegian, but living in Denmark. She suggested Kveðja as a family riding horse. I believe she could develop her gaits too and be used in amateur competitions. I didn't plan on buying a mare in foal, but here we are.
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I hope you really enjoy your horse but in Iceland I once made the fatal mistake of calling them ponies.Ooops.
 
Congratulations- how exciting. I’ve always loved Icelandics. A few years ago, when I had no intention of jumping again, I almost bought one. Another forum I was on had a poster with Icelandics who posted amazing pictures and spoke so passionately about the breed. And gave me advice on their incredible temperaments as they are still much part of working life in Iceland so are bred for cooperation and friendliness. As well as hardiness.

Icelandic foal spam will be essential!!
 
Kirstineridesagain said:
I've always liked them. I rode one in my riding school when I was growing up in Norway. It was quite tiny, they used to be much smaller and we used to call them Icelandic ponies. I didn't come across the breed again until around 2005, when I discovered a trekking centre that used them outside Edinburgh (they stopped the treks a couple of years later and are still operating as a livery yard - this is where Kvedja will be going!).
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I rode at that trekking centre a couple of times, and was so disappointed when they stopped the treks. What a wonderful place for you to be able to keep your girl, and to have her foal.

Obviously, photos will be essential!
 
I'm hoping to buy an Icelandic horse but can't find any for sale in the UK. Does anyone have any UK contacts they could put me in touch with? Grateful if you would DM me.
 
Aw lovely. My friend at the yard I was livery on 30 years ago had four Icelandics, she rode for the the British Team

My God they can motor when they tolt. Very impressive.

This is a recent team photo, she used to do it up to about 20 yrs ago, but you can see there's taller members of the team.
 

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ReneT said:
I'm hoping to buy an Icelandic horse but can't find any for sale in the UK. Does anyone have any UK contacts they could put me in touch with? Grateful if you would DM me.
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Have a look on the IHSGB website ihsgb.co.uk they have a sales page.
 
I have a feeling they won’t have anything, I can ask tomorrow but hopefully they’ll get back to you soon. Hopefully your email didn’t end up in junk mail - normally they’re very prompt.
 
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