This article is still under construction.
It has been a lot of work to gather together this information, from old books and through many helpful persons.
If you have any pictures, stories or information about the Hindisvík breed or individuals we would be very happy to hear from you.
I would also apprechiate if you could point out any spelling or translating errors. A big part of this text is out of very old icelandic texts and were not so easy to put to words in english :)
Horsebreeding in Hindisvík started around 1880 with the ancestor, Rauðskjóna 394 from Ánastaðir in Vatnsnes. For years she was the riding horse of Jóhannes Sigurðsson in Hindisvík.
After the son of Jóhannes, reverend Sigurður Norland, took his fathers place on the farm, the horsebreeding got stronger and soon became one of the most famous breedingfarms and bloodlines in Iceland.
After reverend Sigurður died in 1971, Tobbi's father, Agnar Norland and his brother, Sverrir Norland, carried on the breeding. Later it was Tobbi and his father who kept the breeding going till 1995, and had about 40 breedingmares. After 1995 the breeding was significantly decreased because of changed conditions, but there were always a few mares kept in the Hindisvík breeding.
Many of the Hindisvík horses were sold to Germany where interested breeders such as Dieter Puetz, Andreas Trappe and others had great success in further breeding of the bloodline. Dieter Puetz was for an example chosen Breeder of the year two times in Germany. The stallion Hlöðvir frá Hindisvík got the highest price for offsprings in Germany, and not to mention the stallions Húni and Hrafnfaxi frá Hindisvík, owned by Heinz Pinsdorf, who were successful stallions in Germany.
In 1993 Agnar and Tobbi Norland together with Dieter Puetz held a breeding show in Roderath, Germany, where about 80 Hindisvíkhorses were presented. The show attracted a lot of attention and a big audience.
The Hindisvík horses are all inbred from the ancestor, Rauðskjóna 394. The bloodline has been kept pure and unmixed from other horses for over 100 years. The location of Hindisvík played a big part in isolating the breed because it is the most northern farm in the peninsula of Vatnsnes.
Known features of the Hindisvík breed are finely built horses with great leg and hoove quality. There are both 4 and 5 gaited horses and most of them have high lift and great suspensions in trot. The trot was very unique and sometimes there was talked about a special Hindisvík-trot, "Hindisvíkurbrokk".
The horses can be independent and tough in the beginning of training, and not for everyone, but some of them are also very easy to break in. The willingness is usually much forward and in some cases more than needed. It has been said that it is a rare exception if a Hindisvík horse is not willing forward.
Quotations about the Hindisvík bloodline:
,,The features of the bloodline are fine and firm building, lightness and much stamina when fully developed. The spirit is often high and rough. The horses are sensitive and smart and can not well handle harsh and disrespectful training." (Hestar í Norðri 1992)
"It is still one of the strongest bloodlines in the regions (Húnavatnssýslur) and the half wild breed of reverend Sigurður is still in place in Hindisvík, the most northern farm on Vatnsnes. It's like the horses are waiting for the people in Húnavatnssýsla to realize the beauty and talent of the breed, and to continue breeding them to resurrect their old glory." (Gunnar Bjarnason, horse breeding minister)
"Those bloodlines are very old, and are originated in the time of reverend Sigurður's father and grandfather. The horses have been kept almost unmixed from other horses and therefore heavy inbreeding has occured.
That leeds to a herd with like features and the horses look very much alike. Most of them are chestnuts with a star and often combined with a snip. The mane and tail are often light. The size of the horses is variable between individuals. They are lightly built, with raised necks and light movements. Their croups do lean a little bit forward and the tail is well carried. Their faces are fine and beautiful and the expressions bright and happy. Many of the horses are fourgaited but there are also fivegaiters.
Many fresh and willing horses have spreaded over the country from this breed. Including a few highly spirited góðhestar. "goodhorses". (Ásgeir Jónsson frá Gottorp)
"The well known features of the breed of Hindisvík are fine and firm building, light movements and good stamina when they are fully mature. It can take a while for the high spirit to stabilize but when it does it is reliable and good.
In my opinion this is the best horsebreed in Húnavatnssýla. If the horses are well taken care of they mature well and can be the pride of the province.". (Theódór Arnbjörnsson, 1924)
Important breeding horses and individuals
Rauðskjóna 394 is the ancestor of the Hindisvík-breeding. She was beautiful and tough.
"Rauðskjóna was very tough, but finely built. She was from Jósep Stefánsson in Ánastaðir, Vatnsnes. In the years of 1880-1900 Jósep owned a known breed of good riding horses, all chestnut pintos." (Gunnar Bjarnason, horse breeding minister)
"She was from Jósep Stefánsson in Ánastaðir, Vatnsnes. He owned a well known breed of good riding horses. They had good stamina and were tough, but soft to ride. Often 4 gaited with good tölt. All of Rauðskjónas offsprings got to live, and the number of horses in Hindisvík did start to rise after her arrival." (Gunnar Bjarnason, Ættbók og Saga)
Stjarni 118 frá Hindisvík (born 1917) has Rauðskjóna 394 three times in his pedigree. He got 1st price in 1928 and was described as:
Finely built, high spirited, raised neck, good legs and joints. Firm and light body building, movements are soft and elastic.
"Stjarni is the founding father of the Hindisvík bloodline. Through inbreeding the bloodline got strong in iheriting their features, who are; fine, muscular and firm body building. Fine head with a tough look. Finely built and well raised neck with good shoulder lines, good proportions, short torso and sometimes a little stiff, as known in arabian horses.
Dry tendors and strong legs. The movements are mostly stylish trot and tölt with high movements. The character can be cold and spirit flaws are rather frequent.
Of Stjarni's descendants many are outstandingly charming riding horses, some of them have more beauty than quality. Most of them are fourgaited with good tölt." (Gunnar Bjarnason, horse breeding minister)
Many stallions were sired by Stjarni 118 and were used widely around Iceland. Among them are to take an example Sörli 141 and Roði 187 frá Bjargi.
About Roði was written; "He is one of the most beautiful horses. It has been said that all of his offsprings are useful for something. They are finely built and have good proportions with a nice temper." (Gunnar Bjarnason, horse breeding minister)
Stjarni 118
Sörli 141 frá Dalkoti (born 1926) was a son of Stjarni 118 and Yngri-Gribba frá Hindisvík, who was inbred from Rauðskjóna 394.
Sörli was born in Hindisvík and at first used as a stallion there, but in 1930 he was sold to Ámundi Jónsson in Dalkot. In 1932 he was sold again to the Horsebreeding Organisation of Bræðratungusókn in Biskupstungur. There he was used for breeding till 1943. After that he served mares for one year in Mýrdalur and after that he was in Álfhólar with Valdemar Jónsson, who used him for breeding till 1950.
"Sörli's offsprings are finely and well built. They are big and well spirited with smooth and obedient willingness. His genes are unusually strong. His offsprings have clear and good tölt." (Gunnar Bjarnason, horse breeding minister)
"He said he was good and that he was using him as a riding horse. When he was riding home happy after feasts or sheep gathering it was like Sörli was flying him home."
Húni 158 frá Hindisvík (born 1930) was a son of Stjarni 118 and Snegla frá Hindisvík, who again was a daughter of Stjarni 118.
Húni was a chestnut, very finely built, high spirited, with raised neck, good shoulders, good back and crop and good leg quality and joints.
When Húni was 3 years old he was sold to The Horsebreeding Organisation of Austur-Landeyjar in Rangárvallasýsla, and used there for breeding for many years.
Húni got 1st price in 1937 and then was said about him that he had "an excellent riding horse look".
Húni recieved 2nd price for his offsprings in 1940;
Húni's offsprings are finely built with strong facial expressions, well raised necks and good porportions. They had many good qualities for a riding horse, mostly 4 gaited with tölt, and sometimes not easy to start tölting. They had high leg action and were elegant. They were tough and had their own minds, so it could take some time to break them in.
"Húni frá Hindisvík nr, 158, was for many years used in Austur-Landeyjar. His offsprings were finely built, with well raised necks and liked to move around.
They were usually trotty, tough in their tempers and sometimes even evil and hard to break in. Good trainers could make geniuses out of Húni's offsprings.
His son, Logi 254 in Dalssel, has though excellent temper, and such a nice eye is rare. Logi is a good riding horse and his tölt is nice to look at. He is mostly famous for his kind character and intelligence. He is rather small and finely built." (Gunnar Bjarnason, horse breeding minister)
"Because Húni was so extremely inbred, he inherited his features strongly to his offsprings and descendants. They were elegant horses, willing fourgaiters with tölt. Tough and hard to break in." (Gunnar Bjarnason, Ættbók og Saga)
Glóblesi 700 frá Hindisvík (born 1964) is a son of Glói and Rauðstjarna frá Hindisvík. He was shown in Þingvellir in 1970 and got 1st price::
Conformation: 8,00
Ridden abilities: 8,01
Total score: 8,01
He got 1st price for offsprings in Landsmót in Vindheimamelar in 1982. In that time he was owned by Agnar Norland (Tobbi's father).
"Glóblesi 700's offsprings are finely built and light. Their heads are sharp, with rather open ears and a tough look on their faces and sometimes even a cold look. Their necks are thin, but not well enough raised from the shoulders. The backs are straight and the croups thin, with a lightly built torso. The feet and joints are good but the hooves a bit shallow. They have a sensitive temper and much willingness. All gaits and great pace.
Glóblesi 700's offsprings are in general, finely built, willing but cold fivegaited horses and he receives 1st price for offsprings with the assesment of 7,92."
Glóblesi was among other places used for breeding in Kirkjubær and many famous horses came out of that mixture. For example Seifur, Sóti and his daughters son, Strákur. Those three horses were all in finals in European championships.
"Glóblesi was first used in Þverholt, then in Kirkjubær and at last home in Hindisvík, where he is born.
Seifur frá Kirkjubæ, the horse that raised the most attention in the European championship in Larvik, Norway, in 1981, is a son of Glóblesi 700 frá Hindisvík." (Gunnar Bjarnason, horse breeding minister)
"The characteristics of those horses was much sensitivity. It was never dull around the young horses, but as soon as you started to work with them they calmed down. I would liked to have more horses out of the Glóblesi-Kirkjubær mixture, because that made geniuses." (Sigurbjörn Bárðarson)
Glóblesi to the left. The picture is taken when he was with mares in Hindisvík. In the middle you can see a big chestnut stallion, who is his son, Glófaxi.
Glóblesi frá Hindisvík to the right, rider is Sjöfn Halldórsdóttir. To the left is a descendant of Skuggi frá Bjarnanesi, rider is Sigurður Ámundason.
Glóblesi 700 frá Hindisvík, rider is Halldór Sigurðsson
Glóblesi 700. The picture is taken in 1988 and the photographer is Brigitte Englisch. You can see more pictures of Glóblesi here
Among Glóblesis offsprings:
Seifur frá Kirkjubæ and Unn Kroghen
Seifur frá Kirkjubæ, son of Glóblesi 700. He raised much attention when he was second in tölt and fourgait on the European Championship in Larvik, Norway, in 1981. Rider is Unn Kroghen.
"Seifur is big and handsome. He is fourgaited but has lots of tölt, high leg action and is nice to look at under rider." (Hjalti Jón Sveinsson, Hrossin frá Kirkjubæ)
Sóti frá Kirkjubæ, son of Glóblesi 700 and Sigurbjörn Bárðarson.
Sóti was shown with his father, Glóblesi, in Landsmót 1982 where he got 8,50 for ridden abilities.
"He was a noble horse and a genius. I enjoyed to have him around me and work with him." (Sigurbjörn Bárðarson)
Huginn frá Hindisvík (born 1981), son of Glóblesi. Rider on those pictures is Tobbi in Hindisvík.
Later Huginn became Norwegian champion in tölt and fourgait
hindisvikur brana fra kirkjubae
Brana frá Kirkjubæ was a daughter of Glóblesi. She received honorary price for offsprings and is best known for being the mother of Rauðhetta frá Kirkjubæ. Brana was shown in a breeding show where she got 1st price with the total score of 8,06.
"Brana 4721's offsprings are rather big, very finely built with thin necks who are thin at the throats. The horses are well formed, lightly built with good porportions. They have good leg quality, joints are above average, but the hooves a little weak.
The offsprings are variable and have clear gaits. Tölt and trot are their best gaits. They are willing forward and awake. High leg action and supple movements in the body, but a little stiff in their head carriage.
Brana's offsprings are rather big, finely built and good looking riding horses."
It is worth mentioning that Brennir frá Kirkjubæ, a son of Brana, was used as a stallion. He had good offsprings and among them is Ísold frá Gunnarsholti, who has received honorary price for offsprings. Her most famous offspring is Garri frá Reykjavík, who received 9,05 for riding abilities.
Rauðhetta frá Kirkjubæ and Þórður Þorgeirsson
Rauðhetta frá Kirkjubæ was a daughter of the Glóblesi daughter, Brana frá Kirkjubæ. Rauðhetta was for many years the highest judged breeding horse in Iceland with a total score of 8,81. She got 9,23 for ridden abilities. 10 for tölt and 9,5 for flying pace.
Rauðhetta frá Kirkjubæ on Landsmót 1994
hindisvikur leista fra kirkjubae
Leista frá Kirkjubæ and Þórður Þorgeirsson
Leista frá Kirkjubæ was a daugther of the Glóblesi daughter, Busla frá Kirkjubæ. She was broken in and showed of Þórður Þorgeirsson. When she was only 4 years old she was among the best horses in the Landsmót 1994 and then again of the Fjórðungsmót in 1996. She has had very good offsprings which have inherited her good looks and great spirit. Leista was evaluated with 8,27 as a total score. 8,03 for conformation and 8,51 for riding abilities.
Hrafnfaxi frá Hindisvík (born 1985) is a son of Glóblesi and Brúnstjarna frá Hindisvík. He was a popular stallion in Germany.
His offsprings were pretty with light steps.
hrafnfaxi1
Hrafnfaxi in 2012, then 27 years old
Among Hranfaxis offsprings are:
- Hrafnar frá Hindisvík (4th place in the finals in youth class on the Landsmót in 2002 with a score of 8,60. Icelandic champion in youth class and in the finals in Landsmót only at the age of 6 years.)
- Elskamin frá - (8,10 for ridden abilities)
- Heljar frá Hindisvík (born 1989) fullbrother of Hrafnfaxi. Sired by Glóblesi and Brúnstjarna. He was sold to Germany and has been a successful stallion and competition horse. Heljar with his rider and owner, Caroline Fuchs, won among other titles three times a gold medal on the German Championships in various diciplines. His strength was the tölt, and he scored up to 8 for the loose rein.
Heljar and Caroline competing in the German Championships in 2003, where they won a gold medal for the loose rein tölt.
Hlöðvir frá Hindisvík (born 1985) is a son of Ófeigur frá Hindisvík and Ör frá Hindisvík. He was bay, fivegaited with very high leg action and great speed range in his gaits.
Hlöðvir was sold to Germany and left abroad in 1993. His owners were Andreas Trappe and Dieter Puetz.
Hlöðvir got 1st price for offsprings in Germany and was the highest judged stallion for offsprings that year over the whole country.
Hlöðvir frá Hindisvík. Rider: Ástmundur Norland (Tobbi in Hindisvík).
Hlöðvir receiving his price for offsprings. Andreas Trappe is standing and the rider is Reynir Aðalsteinsson.
Among Hlöðvir's offsprings are:
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Elding vom Waldhof (conformation: 8,11, ridden abilities 8,45, total score 8,31)
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Leo vom Waldhof (8,18 for ridden abilities, including 9 for willingness and 8,67 for tölt)
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Litur vom Waldhof (8,36 for ridden abilities as a 4 gaiter. 9 for tölt, trot, canter and form under rider. Unfortunately Litur died young)
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Léttir vom Waldhof (8,06 for ridden abilities, 8,04 for total score. 8,5 tölt and trot)
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Alvar von Steenhaar (total score 8,04)
Elding vom Waldhof is a daughter of Hlöðvir with a total score of 8,31. There of 8,45 for riding abilities. Rider on the picture to the right is Michelle van Blitterswijk and the photographer is Henk Peterse.
Litur vom Waldhof. A son of Hlöðvir who was evaluated with 8,36 for ridden abilities as a fourgaiter. He got 9 for tölt, trot, canter and form under rider. Unfortunately Litur passed away.
Muninn frá Hindisvík (born 1987). Became Swedish master in fivegait and flying pace. Muninn has the same mother as Hlöðvir (Ör frá Hindisvík).
Muninn frá Hindisvík, rider is Denni Hauksson.
Today's descendants of the Hindisvík horses
Hindisvík blood can be found in the pedigree of many of Icelandic horses. Below you can see a few examples of Horses that have Hindisvík blood in their pedigree.
Hnáta frá Hábæ is a daugther of a Hlöðvir-daugher. 4gaited mare with 8,41 for ridden abilities. Including 9 for tölt and 9,5 for trot. Hnátas son Hnokki frá Eylandi is a highly judged stallion who has also been doing great in competitions.
Elding vom Waldhof. A daughter of Hlöðvir frá Hindisvík. 5gaited mare with 8,45 for ridden abilities. There of 9 for trot. Rider is Michelle van Blitterswijk.
Geisa frá Reykjavík is a daughter of Kola frá Hindisvík. Geisa has ben very successful as a competition horse abroad. Mostly in pace competitions. She did take part in the World Championships in 2011.
The last pure bred stallion
Glæsir frá Hindisvík is the last living pure bred stallion of the Hindisvík bloodline. One can be pretty certain that no other Icelandic stallion has such long line breeding history behind him. Glæsir is pure bred of the old bloodline back to the 19th century (around 1880). This makes Glæsir very unrelated to most of the horses living in Iceland today.
Glæsir is a dark chestnut with blaze and one sock on the right hind leg. He is born in 1996 and will be turning 20 years old this summer (2016).
Tobbi sold Glæsir's mother when she was pregnant with Glæsir. The buyer was Loftur in Ásbjarnarstaðir, who is still the owner of Glæsir.
Glæsir was ridden a little when he was young and got a lot of attention for his unusual movements.
Glæsir 19 years old
Below you can see some of his offsprings.
Our Hindisvík-breeding
Unfortunately there are only a few pure bred Hindisvík horses left in Iceland. We are trying to keep the breeding of the bloodline going and the last pure bred stallion, Glæsir frá Hindisvík, is playing an important role in that mission.
Hlöðvir and Glóblesi 700 are also very frequent in our horses pedigree.
To read more about our breeding and individuals click here.
Fjöður frá Hindisvík is a young mare, born in 2014. She has so many strong features of the Hindisvík bloodline. She is though "only" 75% pure bred. Her father is Glæsir frá Hindisvík and her mother is Frá frá Hindisvík.
This article is still under construction.
It has been a lot of work to gather together this information, from old books and through many helpful persons.
If you have any pictures, stories or information about the Hindisvík breed or individuals we would be very happy to hear from you.
I would also apprechiate if you could point out any spelling or translating errors. A big part of this text is out of very old icelandic texts and were not so easy to put to words in english :)