A balanced herd of 11 Icelandic horses in semi-freedom on 40 ha of land
I have lived with horses in a herd for almost 20 years. Living alongside them is a true initiatory journey of healing and development of the being: they teach us the connection to oneself and to all living things to move towards harmony, towards balance, the “right” posture. Very inspiring, they invite us without judgment to be fully ourselves, to anchor ourselves, to listen to our body and our heart, to understand and manage our emotions (self-regulation), to learn to calm the emotions of others (co-regulation), to reconnect with our intuition, to clearly set our limits and to be attentive to those of others, to accept and love all parts of ourselves…
They teach us grounding, self-knowledge, personal growth, authenticity, all forms of non-verbal language, creativity, spirituality, and above all how to "start grazing again" and enjoy life rather than ruminating: to find ourselves, calm and connected to our resources.
Our Icelandic horses
Despite its small size (between 1.30 and 1.45 m), the Icelandic horse is a true horse. Short, stocky and muscular, it is also very hardy and is content with lean and scarce food.
The Icelandic pony descends from Norwegian breeds and various Celtic pony lines introduced to the island by Scandinavian peoples, particularly Viking settlers. Indeed, Iceland has never had a native pony.
In the late 19th century, Icelandic horses were exported to work in English and Polish mines.
Imported to Iceland by the Norman Vikings who invaded the island from the 9th century AD, these horses are today a unique example of genetic purity: in fact, since 930, a law has prohibited the importation of horses into the island. Only their export is authorized. There are about 72,000 of them in Iceland today.
This vigorous, courageous and extremely gentle little horse is today known throughout the world for its ancient gaits: the amble and the tölt, which it possesses in addition to the three gaits of the walk, the trot and the gallop.
-> The 5 gaits of Icelandic horses
The amble is a regular and rapid gait in which the horse moves the lateral bipeds in turn.
The tolt is the Icelandic reference gait, it is a kind of very fast four-beat step, during which the horse strongly raises its limbs. The horse always has one or two feet on the ground. There is no suspension time: this permanent support results in incomparable comfort for the rider. It is a clear, rhythmic gait, in four equal beats. At the tölt, an Icelandic can cover long distances and reach speeds of 30 to 40 km/h.
-> tölt demonstration
Some Icelandic horses exhibit tölt spontaneously even when free: they are then called "natural tölters". Most Icelandic horses trot freely, but tölt easily under saddle: they are then called "four-gaited". Others behave like "four-gaited", but also have the amble naturally: they are then called "five-gaited". An Icelandic horse is a breed of horse that has lived in Iceland since the 800s.
Icelanders are very proud of their little horses and speak of them with love, among other things in their sagas. They do not like at all that their horses are taxed as ponies.
Connections : French Icelandic Horse Federation
Laplaud Igla
IGLA is pronounced Éyla in Icelandic. She is the oldest member of our herd.
Very gentle yet very independent, Igla happily accompanies people who are very mentally focused. She is also completely amazed by human babies.
She gave birth to three foals at our Domaine Fournery Baraud. Her first filly, Raena, was born on July 15, 2005 (daughter of Nanito, Peruvian Paso stallion). Her second filly, Unna (3/4 Icelandic 1/4 Peruvian Paso, daughter of Rico de Fournery) was born from an unplanned mating on June 16, 2008. On May 3, 2013, she gave birth to a foal named Django, son of Neisti frá Hávarsstödum (Schlossmatt stallion)
| born) : | May 08, 1996 |
| age : | 29 years old |
| mother : | Dufa de Laplaud |
| father : | Goat |
| dress : | Gray |
| Size | 135cm |
Kari of the Sources
KARI means “gust of wind” in Icelandic.
Karie is an exceptional therapy partner. Highly sensitive, she demands that humans completely let go and trust her: she then guides them in releasing emotions and blockages with total dedication. We can truly say that this mare has the gift of healing! Respected by all her peers, she has always been the herd leader. She is the co-creator of equitranse with Sophie.
She has foaled five times with us: her first foal, Rico de Fournery (Aegidienberg, son of Nanito) was born on June 24, 2005. Her second foal, Taku de Fournery (a purebred Icelandic, son of Ljufur du Massif) was born in 2007. He joined Marie Franco's small herd in England. Her third foal, Askur de Fournery (a purebred Icelandic, son of Nagur du Massif) was born on May 11, 2010. She then gave birth to two wonderful fillies: Brùnka de Fournery (a purebred Icelandic, daughter of Nagur du Massif) on May 18, 2011 and Diljà de Fournery (a purebred Icelandic, daughter of Jortur Lauzier) on May 21, 2013.
| born) : | July 10, 1998 |
| age : | 27 years old |
| mother : | Erbhof Cinnamon |
| father : | Dropi of Matalys |
| dress : | Dark bay |
| signs: | On your mind |
Mr. Titi
Titi is the pony chosen by Sophie's youngest daughter when she was 4 years old (she is 24 today). Titi arrived at the Domaine when he was barely two years old. He has seen the birth of all our foals and has been a wonderful playmate and nanny for them. Today, at 23, he is still as joyful and playful as ever! He is also a wonderful companion for humans during Forgiveness Circles.
| born) : | 2002 |
| age : | 23 |
| mother : | |
| father : | |
| dress : | Black Pie |
| signs: |
Unna de Fournery
UNNA means "loved" in Icelandic. 3/4 Icelandic 1/4 Peruvian Paso mare, born at Mas de Fournery on June 16, 2008. Daughter of Rico de Fournery and Igla de Laplaud.
Unna is the one who prefers to lie down and nap with humans.
| born) : | June 16, 2008 |
| age : | 17 years old |
| mother : | Laplaud Igla |
| father : | Rico de Fournery |
| dress : | Gray |
| signs: | in the lead (which is no longer visible) |
Askur de Fournery
Askur means "ash" in Icelandic. This little gelding is infinitely sweet. He is Rico's best friend, following him everywhere like his shadow and protecting him like a faithful knight in shining armour. He plays a lot with Django, alternating between mock fights and long, mouth-to-mouth kissing sessions.
| born) : | May 11, 2010 |
| age : | 15 years old |
| mother : | Karie des Sources |
| father : | Naggur of the Massif |
| dress : | Black with ball on head |
| signs: | on your mind |
Brunka de Fournery
Brunka means "the brown one" in Icelandic. Daughter of Karie des Sources and Naggur du Massif. Like her mother, this mare has a true gift for supporting people. Extremely gentle, she touches people deep in their hearts, often causing them to suddenly burst into tears.
| born) : | May 18, 2011 |
| age : | 14 years old |
| mother : | Karie des Sources |
| father : | Naggur of the Massif |
| dress : | Copper bay |
| signs: | On your mind |
Rico de Fournery
Rico is the first born at Domaine Fournery Baraud. Son of Karie des Sources and Nanito, a Peruvian Paso stallion, he is therefore an Aegidienberg (Icelandic x Peruvian Paso cross, a breed recognized in Germany). He was the first horse broken in by Sophie and was her step 1 and 2 training partner with Horseman Science (Andy Booth). Their relationship is special, beautiful and deep. Rico is a very sensitive horse who always tries to do well, which is why when this good will is not seen and heard by humans he can get into very intense emotional states.
| born) : | June 24, 2005 |
| age : | 15 |
| mother : | Karie des Sources |
| father : | Nanito |
| dress : | Chestnut |
| signs: | List |
Raena de Fournery
Raena means "the one who is aware" in Icelandic. The daughter of Igla de Laplaud and Nanito (Peruvian Paso), she was born very, very sensitive to touch. Today, she is mentally sound and very independent and versatile. She is the mare of Mathilda, Sophie's eldest daughter.
| born) : | July 15, 2005 |
| age : | 15 years old |
| mother : | Laplaud Igla |
| father : | Nanito |
| dress : | Alzane |
| signs: | without |
Blomi de Fournery
Blomi means "Little Flower" in Icelandic. Jono's daughter, she sadly lost her mother at 5 months old. However, she was very well cared for by the herd: first by Igla and then by the males, with whom she stays most of the time. Very curious, she is the one you really have to be wary of if you leave your bag lying around because it will be inspected from every angle.
| born) : | May 19, 2011 |
| age : | 14 years old |
| mother : | Jono |
| father : | Thor of the Schlossmatt |
| dress : | Dark bay |
| signs: | without |
Django de Fournery
Son of Igla de Laplaud and Neisti Fra Havarsstodum, he is the one who makes all hearts melt. Extremely sociable, always cheerful and ready to play, he is also capable of spending long moments giving kisses.
| born) : | May 3, 2013 |
| age : | 12 years old |
| mother : | Laplaud Igla |
| father : | Neisti Fra Havarsstodum |
| dress : | Gray |
| signs: |
Dilja de Fournery
Dilja is Kari des Sources' youngest daughter. Still very attached to her mother, she nursed until she was 6 years old! Very curious and sociable, she always finds a human to follow everywhere and to whom she can offer activities (naps, scratches, discovering new objects, etc.).
| born) : | May 21, 2013 |
| age : | 12 years old |
| mother : | Karie des Sources |
| father : | Jortur Lauzier |
| dress : | Dark bay |
| signs: |
