Buddy has been a wonderful smooth gaited trail horse. He loads up in the trailer ready to go. He can be in the lead, middle or rear when riding with groups. He is also great to ride with non-gaited people. He will adjust to speed of other horses and the ability of his rider. I can pony other horses from him and he is also great for ponying the grandkids on adventures. My one pet peeve about him is he wants to eat non-stop. He is an easy keeper and I make sure he doesn't get too fat. So with a novice rider he will want to snatch grass if they let him.
Icelandic tend to be long lived. He turned 20 yrs young in May. Due to life changes Buddy would make a nice trail horse for an advance novice to intermediate rider. A rider whose weight is under 155 pounds. He is too nice of horse to just sit in a pasture. He likes attention and seems to enjoy the trails. I have ridden him barefoot or with scoot boots. In his life time he was shod by previous owner-breeder.
Check out his YouTube videos ...cindy chaney.. to see a few of the adventures I have taken him on.