A curious Icelandic horse near Haukadalur, Iceland. Although the horses are small (pony-sized), most classifiers for the Icelandic still refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In Iceland, they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country, and exported animals are not allowed to return. The breed is still used for traditional sheepherding work in its native country, as well as for leisure and racing.