The Icelandic horse is a small horse (and not a pony) whose origin dates back to days of the Vikings. This horse has been living in isolation in Iceland for over a millennium and as such, has a very clearly defined type and personality. The Icelandic stands between 12.1 and 14.1hh but is strong enough to carry a human adult a long distance at speed. In addition to the usual walk, trot and canter, the Icelandic has two additional gaits, the tolt (an ambling gait) and the "flying pace," an extremely fast pace, at which the horses are raced, but which it cannot maintain for long.