Icelandic landscape specialist

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Martine van der Ploeg
Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands

Icelandic horses are highly adapted as a result of natural selection. They have to be able to survive the harsh climatic conditions on Iceland. For example, as a result of the eruption of the Laki volcano in 1783, about 70% of the Icelandic horse population was wiped out. To be able to cross the uneven rocky landscape with speed Icelandic horses display a special gait, named tölt, making them true landscape specialists.

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