The Fifth Gait Podcast

In this episode of The Fifth Gait Podcast, we sit down with Icelandic horse trainer and competitor Gusti to discuss his journey in the Icelandic horse industry, developing world-class competition horses, and the principles that guide his approach to horsemanship.Gusti shares the story behind his record-setting 9.36 score with Álfur frá Gauksmýri in 2023, the heartbreak of losing the talented stallion, and the lessons he gained from studying horsemanship at Hólar University. We also explore his family's horse breeding and training operation in Iceland, selecting and developing young horses, and the importance of balance, self-carriage, responsiveness, and forward movement in training Icelandic horses.The conversation also covers preparing horses for competition, building effective warm-up routines, recognizing when a horse may be struggling physically, and the future of Icelandic horse breeding and education. Gusti shares his perspective on preserving the breed's versatility, improving horse welfare through education, and the lasting value of connecting humans with horses and nature.Whether you're an Icelandic horse enthusiast, competitive rider, horse trainer, breeder, or simply passionate about improving your horsemanship, this episode offers valuable insight into the mindset and methods behind high-level Icelandic horse training.Subscribe to The Fifth Gait Podcast for more conversations with leading horsemen and women about Icelandic horses, training, competition, breeding, and the future of horsemanship.

In Episode 18 of The Fifth Gait Podcast, we sit down with an accomplished Icelandic horse trainer and pace rider, Konrad Valur, for an in-depth conversation about the sport of pace riding, training elite pace horses, and the realities of life as a professional trainer.We discuss what makes a great pace horse, how to identify the right temperament and movement, training and conditioning strategies, competition preparation, recovery between sprints, shoeing, and the importance of understanding each horse as an individual. We also dive into the mental and emotional challenges of the horse industry, including burnout, stress, and the pressure placed on trainers.The conversation also looks toward the future of pace racing and Icelandic horsemanship, including potential changes to competition formats, conditioning research, lactic acid testing, horse welfare, and how we can continue to improve the sport while preserving what makes it special.If you're interested in Icelandic horses, pace racing, training philosophy, equestrian sport, horse conditioning, or the future of Icelandic horsemanship, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes from someone who has dedicated their career to developing high-level pace horses.Subscribe to The Fifth Gait Podcast for more conversations about Icelandic horses, horsemanship, training, competition, and the people shaping the future of the breed.#IcelandicHorse #IcelandicHorses #TheFifthGaitPodcast #PaceRacing #PaceHorse #IcelandicHorseTraining #Horsemanship #HorseTraining #Equestrian #Landsmót

In Episode 17 of The Fifth Gait Podcast, we sit down with Kathy for a wide-ranging conversation about a lifetime dedicated to Icelandic horsemanship, the horses that shaped her journey, and what it means to continue pursuing excellence well into your later years.Kathy shares her experiences competing at the highest levels of Icelandic horsemanship, including the challenges of bringing American riders and horses to the World Championships, the moments that have humbled her, and the friendships and community that make this sport so special. We also dive into the story of Pegasus, an extraordinary horse whose training, longevity, and physical ability continue to influence riders decades into his career.The conversation goes deeper into horse-human communication, correct training, gait training, and the importance of developing a true connection with your horse. Kathy discusses her approach to training, the challenges of working with different gaits—including tölt—and what riders can continue learning as they age.We also explore how Icelandic culture and Icelandic horsemanship have influenced Kathy's philosophy, from resourcefulness and practical problem-solving to the unique community surrounding the breed. Finally, we look toward the future of Icelandic horsemanship: how the sport can attract more riders, create greater access to education, and preserve the connection between humans and horses for generations to come.Whether you're an Icelandic horse enthusiast, competitive rider, trainer, or simply someone who believes horses have an important place in human life, this episode offers a thoughtful look at horsemanship, lifelong learning, competition, community, and the future of the Icelandic horse.Topics discussed: • Icelandic horsemanship and riding at the highest levels • World Championship experiences • Training and horse-human communication • Pegasus and the importance of correct training • Tölt training and gait development • Riding and competing as you age • Icelandic culture and its influence on horsemanship • The Icelandic horse community • The future of Icelandic horsemanship • Why horses continue to matter to humans and society

In this episode, we sit down with a world champion Icelandic horse trainer and breeder for an in-depth conversation about Icelandic horses, training, breeding, competition, and the future of the breed.She shares the story of becoming a World Champion in 1999, her early experiences riding in Iceland, and the horses and mentors who shaped her career. We also dive deep into breeding for temperament, movement, rideability, and the importance of matching the right horse with the right rider.The conversation covers Icelandic horse training, tölt and pace, transitions, relaxation, competition, Landsmót, judging, horse welfare, breeding, and what needs to change to continue improving the Icelandic horse.Whether you're an Icelandic horse owner, breeder, trainer, competitor, or simply passionate about horses, this episode offers a fascinating look at the sport and the philosophy behind producing better horses and better riders.#IcelandicHorse #IcelandicHorses #HorseTraining #HorseBreeding #Landsmot #Equestrian #HorseRiding

How much weight can a horse safely carry? In this episode of the Fifth Gait Podcast, we sit down with equine scientist and certified trainer Johannes to discuss one of the most debated topics in the Icelandic horse world: rider weight and horse welfare.Johannes recently defended his master’s thesis at Hólar University, where he studied horse-to-rider body weight ratios in Icelandic horse sport. His research collected data from riders and horses at the World Championships, giving rare insight into how rider weight, horse conformation, training level, and workload all interact.In this conversation we dive into the science behind rider weight limits, common misconceptions about how much weight Icelandic horses can carry, and why the conversation is far more complex than a simple percentage rule.Johannes also shares what surprised him most during the research process, the challenges of collecting data from elite riders, and how science can support — rather than criticize — riders and trainers.We also explore the future of Icelandic horse breeding and horsemanship, including whether horses should be bred bigger, how conformation affects weight carrying capacity, and why education and research are critical for maintaining our social license to operate in equestrian sport.If you’re passionate about Icelandic horses, equine science, training, and horse welfare, this episode offers an in-depth look at one of the most important conversations happening in the horse world today.Topics Covered:Horse and rider weight ratios explainedWhat the science actually says about how much weight horses can carryData collection at the Icelandic Horse World ChampionshipsCommon myths about rider weight limitsHorse conformation and weight carrying abilityThe future of Icelandic horse breedingWhy equine research matters for the future of horsemanshipSubscribe for more conversations about Icelandic horses, training, breeding, and equine science.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTubeFOLLOW on InstagramFOLLOW on Facebook