Our Horses
Icelandic Horses have been bred in Iceland since the 9th and 10th centuries when they were introduced by Viking settlers. They are the only breed of horse in Iceland with no other horses allowed to be imported and once a horse leaves Iceland they are not allowed to return. Although generally smaller than other breeds, like the Fjord, it’s referred to it as a horse.
The Fjord or Norwegian Fjord Horse is a relatively small but very strong horse breed from the mountainous regions of western Norway. It is an agile breed of light draught horse build. One of the world’s oldest breeds, it has been used for hundreds of years as a farm horse in Norway.. It is used both as a harness horse and under saddle.
All our horses are friendly and dependable. However, our horses are not the type of trekking horses who just follow the horse in front with the person on board being transported, they do indeed have to be ridden.
The Tölt
The interesting feature of Icelandic horses is that they have a gait called Tölt. Tölt is a four-beat gait where the sequence of foot falls is the same as in walk. That being the case, there is no period of suspension within the tölt. This lack of suspension in the gait means it has a smoothness which is comfortable for the rider as there is no time when the horse bounces the rider out of the saddle.
Þoka
Þoka is our kind elderly lady. She’s a black dun (also known as blue or mouse dun) and is loved by both kids and adults for her sweet temperament.
She’s mostly enjoys her days in the park but occasionally joins in on grooming sessions and pony games at the yard.
Her name means ‘The Kind One’
Perla
The fiery Perla is Þoka’s faithful companion. She’s a chestnut mare with a flaxen mane and tail. She also dons a blaze over her muzzle and face as well as light pangare markings.
The old ladies very much stick together like glue in the park.
Kristall
Kristall is a bright chestnut gentleman and the king of handy pony. What he lacks in tølt he makes up for in his trot, canter and all round temperament and personality.
He’s a well seasoned and travelled chap. He loves ‘his’ foals and he has a leader like presence that all the horses respect.
He’s one of our horses also trained to drive.
Hörður
Hörður is the horse most people have started their riding journey with at Houlls. He’s a dark bay (also known as seal bay) gelding with a snip.
He turns his hoof at anything and he’s the easiest horse to experience all the gaits on due to how distinctively different they feel.
His name means ‘Warrior’.
Orri
Orri is a powerful pacey gelding. He’s the largest of the Icelandic horses at Houlls.
He’s black with no markings and a fan favourite due to his sweet character.
His name stands for ‘Black Grouse’
Húni
Húni is a sensitive and people orientated lad with a comfortable tolt.
He’s a bay gelding with primitive markings (ND1) and loves to hang out with Orri.
His name means ‘Little Bear’
Hani
Hani is one of the two resident Norwegian Fjord horses. She’s mother to Tammie. She’s a bay dun (brunblakk) and the easiest way to tell her apart from her son (besides her creative haircuts) is the one white back hoof and her blind right eye which appears blue from afar.
Given the choice she prefers to use her incredible strength to pull things over school work.
Tammie
Tammie is one of the two Fjord horses residing at Houlls. He’s Hani’s son and was born at the croft. He’s the tallest horse at the yard and has started his education to become a trekking horse.
Like his mum, he’s also driven.
Tammie is named after the Shetland word for a puffin (Tammie Norrie).
Galdramey
Galdramey is a black tobiano mare with loud white markings, namely her large star. She’s a sensitive but a very brave girl with a comfortable tolt.
She’s one of the three youngsters entering working life in the near future.
Galdramey stands for ‘Witch Maiden’
Tópas
Youngest of the crew, Tópas has not yet started his career at the centre. He’s a seal bay like Hordur but lacks any white markings.
He’s named after an Icelandic sweet,
Roðadís
The mare with all the hair, Roðadís is a very independent character who excels at flatwork. Like Perla she’s a bright chestnut with flaxen mane and tail and the easiest way to tell the two apart (besides the hair volume…) is the small snip on her nose and a hint of a star.
Her name means ‘Red Fairy’
Kæna
Newcomer Kæna is a smart black dun mare. She might be new to Houlls, but certainly not new to the job. She’s originally from Iceland and she’s very experienced as a trekking horse.
Her name stands for ‘Kind’.
Where to find us
We’re located on the island of East Burra. Arriving in Bridge End, turn left at the war memorial and continue across the small bridge and you’ll find us on the right side of the road, just past Bridge End hall.
