Most horses walk, trot, and gallop - three speeds. Icelandic horses have five. Their two extra ones are called the t枚lt and the flying pace. The t枚lt is a smooth, fast walk-trot that is so steady you can carry a glass of water on your hand without spilling it. People say riding a t枚lt feels like sitting on a sofa that someone is gliding across the floor.
These horses came to Iceland with the Vikings over 1,100 years ago. Around 1,000 years ago, the Al镁ingi (Iceland's parliament) made a law that no horses from other countries could be brought to Iceland. The law is still in place today. Because of it, Icelandic horses have stayed the same breed - and have kept their special gaits - for over a thousand years.
There is one strict rule: if an Icelandic horse leaves the country (say, to compete in a show abroad), it can never come back. This is to keep the horses healthy and free from diseases other horses might carry. It sounds sad, but it is the reason Iceland's horses are some of the healthiest in the world.
Icelandic horses are famous for being calm and friendly. They are used to children and walk gently. Many Icelandic children learn to ride before they learn to ride a bike - and Iceland has more horses per person than almost any other country.