The Fifth Gait Podcast

In this episode of The Fifth Gait Podcast, we sit down with Gudmar Petursson—renowned Icelandic horse trainer, educator, and founder of Hestaland in West Iceland. Gudmar shares his journey from being a young competitive rider in Iceland to building a career in the United States, where he helped introduce the Icelandic horse to a wider audience. We explore his insights on the differences between U.S. and Icelandic horsemanship, the challenges of promoting a unique breed abroad, and the lessons learned from his legendary stallion. Gudmar also dives into the deeper value of trekking across Iceland—how it transforms riders, strengthens the horse-human connection, and reconnects people with nature. Whether you’re passionate about Icelandic horses, curious about cross-cultural horsemanship, or interested in the future of equestrian practice, this episode offers a rare perspective from one of the most influential voices in the Icelandic horse world. 🎧 Listen now to discover: The biggest strengths and weaknesses of U.S. vs. Icelandic horsemanship How Icelandic horses went from “aliens” in America to a recognized breed The role of trekking in shaping better riders and deeper horse partnerships Gudmar’s philosophy on horsemanship, tradition, and innovationWatch us on YouTubeFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

Importing an Icelandic horse is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it comes with unique challenges—from vaccines and hoof care to acclimating to trees, bugs, and even fly spray. In this episode, we share 10 key considerations every new owner should know to help their horse transition smoothly from Iceland to a new home.Drawing from years of experience assisting with imports, we cover:Decompression and settling in after travelVaccination protocols and quarantine best practicesDaily management differences between Iceland and abroadHow to introduce imports to fly spray, hoses, and large riding arenasWhy trees, branches, and new landscapes can be overwhelmingHoof care and shoeing practices for imported horsesManaging summer eczema and environmental changesWhether you’re preparing to import your first Icelandic horse or want to better support one already adjusting, this conversation is packed with practical insights, empathy, and real-world advice.👉 Subscribe for more episodes on Icelandic horse care, training, and culture.Subscribe to our YouTubeFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

In this episode, we dive deep into the 2025 Icelandic Horse World Championships—an event that only happens every two years and brings together the best horses and riders from around the globe. From surprising results and inspiring team performances to controversial judging calls, we take a hard look at what stood out most this year.We break down:Team Iceland’s dominance and the culture behind their successThe shoe-loss controversy in the F1 finals and its impact on resultsShank bits: why shorter shanks are trending, the biomechanics behind them, and whether they’re really “less severe”Confusing walk scores and what judges may actually be rewardingFascinating data on the ages of top competition horses—many thriving into their teens and twentiesInspiring rider stories, from seasoned veterans to record-breaking pace competitorsIf you’re passionate about Icelandic horses, international sport, and thoughtful horsemanship, this episode is packed with insights, debates, and celebrations from the 2025 World Championships.Watch us on YouTubeFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

In this week’s episode, we had the honor of interviewing Oðinn Örn Jóhansson, FEIF Breeding Judge, Breeding Show Ring Master, animal welfare officer for Matvælastöfnun, and genius pace horse breeder. We talk about the current status of Icelandic horse breeding- what could be better, what should concern us, and what we can celebrate as good progress. We also talk about what it means to be sensitive to your horse’s welfare & how the reality of good animal care practices is doing the best you can, with what you have. Please enjoy this conversation- and let us know what you think!Subscribe to our YouTubeFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

In today’s episode, we are interviewing Robin Guernsey, creator & manager of the world famous social media account, I Am Glytja. Robin is witty, creative and particularly talented at making content that makes people smile - all by documenting the daily shenanigans of her six personal Icelandic horses. We have the privilege of diving deeper into how her account came to be, the value she believes horses can offer all people, and we answer some of the most common questions she gets from her followers, about Icelandic horses. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it, and afterwards, check out all of the heartwarming content Robin is sharing on her social media account, IAmGlytja.Visit our WebsiteFollow us on YoutubeFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook

Welcome to the Fifth Gait Podcast:We have thrown around the idea of a podcast for years - but we finally made it happen, stuck in the truck together on a 10-hour road trip home from a horse show.Our passion is the Icelandic horse - and all aspects of the worldwide community that surrounds this breed. Here, we come together as equestrian professionals to share our hardest lessons, biggest wins and our future hopes in Icelandic horsemanship.Our conversations aim to educate, inspire and grow all people like us, who love Icelandic horses - from enthusiasts and amateurs, to trainers, competitors and field specialists.In this second episode, Mackenzie will be interviewing Carrie… asking her the same series of questions Carrie asked Mackenzie in the first episode. Along with Carrie’s accomplished history in Icelandic horses, she has a unique background in Liberty horsemanship as well… so please enjoy this conversation as we dive a little deeper into horse behavior, the future of horse training, and everything in between.YoutubeInstagramFacebook

Welcome to the Fifth Gait Podcast:We have thrown around the idea of a podcast for years - but we finally made it happen, stuck in the truck together on a 10-hour road trip home from a horse show.Our passion is the Icelandic horse - and all aspects of the worldwide community that surrounds this breed. Here, we come together as equestrian professionals to share our hardest lessons, biggest wins and our future hopes in Icelandic horsemanship.Our conversations aim to educate, inspire and grow all people like us, who love Icelandic horses - from enthusiasts and amateurs, to trainers, competitors and field specialists.Today, we will be sharing with you our very first episode; where I (Carrie) interview my dear friend, colleague, and partner in these podcast adventures - Mackenzie Durbin. These questions dive deep into career origin stories, good ole shop talk, and an emphasis on training and real, day-to-day work. And finally, questions centered around the future of horsemanship and how we see the industry evolving. Please enjoy this episode, getting to know Mackenzie, and join us as we embark on this podcast Journey.YouTubeFacebookInstagram