Icelandic Horse Connection, The Icelandic Horse as a Work Horse

Photo from Ragnar: It is in fact interesting to see how little things have changed over the years!!! I attach one picture here - of a father and his daughter sitting on a horse. The text says "Father and daughter in their best dress"! This is a picture from about 1900 - and see the kneepads on the saddle - I did not know about how good they where or at least did not get a saddle with kneepads until 5-10 years ago!!! As far I can see the girl wear shoes made of sheepskin - and both the hats could have been used at the English Derby(Aston?!)!

Photos of older equipment: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

These photos were provided by Ragnar
from the book: "Iceland for 1000 years" by Daniel Bruun.

The photos were taken around 1898 therefore they are about 100 years old.

Older Photos

Comment from Ragnar: This is a picture of a "pit-horse" lifted into a ship for taking the tour to England! In 1894 there was 3500 horses exported to England! It must have been a terrible transport at that time - small ships and slow going!

Additional information from Ragnar: The highest export was in 1884 and then about 3900 horses! This does not supprise as the years 1881 and 1882 was some of the worst in all our story - very cold summers and hard winters and both animals and people died because of short of food! After that came the horse export to England and people emigration to America. The grass growth in summer 1882 was so little that when cut, the grass often had to be put on a blanket to collect it!!! About the coffin I can mention that it is for one of the most renown old Icelandic horseman Jon Asgeirsson from Thingeyrum, father to Asgeir Jonsson from Gottorp who wrote the books "Horfnir godhestar"(description of gaedings around Iceland 1870-1940 a wonderful books!!) and was also a top quality horseman. About Asgeir it can be mentioned that he was the first to name tolt and ride it as a special gait. This happened about 1870!!!!