IntroductionThe Icelandic horse is popular and can be found in more than 30 countries. The breed is used for a variety of competitions but mounted pace competitions have the longest history. Despite this, pace training strategies have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to describe training strategies used by experienced trainers of Icelandic pace horses.MethodsThe study is based on the response to a questionnaire answered by nine trainers (age 42 ± 13 years and 23 ± 12 years of experience as pace trainers). The trainers selected were living in Iceland or Sweden, were on the world ranking list in 250 m pace races (FEIF, August 2013) and had a minimum of 12 years of experience in pace training. The questionnaire was sent to the trainers by e‐mail and answers were obtained in text or during a phone interview. The questionnaire included open questions about training strategies, the development of the horse and physical health problems. Data is presented as mean ± SD.ResultsTraining commenced at an age of 5.4 ± 1.0 years. Horses were trained five times per week (4.8 ± 0.7) and pace training was performed less than twice per week (1.6 ± 0.9). The average time to achieve competitive condition was 1.9 ± 0.8 years. Horses were considered to be at their best at 13.8 ± 4.6 years of age. Wounds after cross‐firing (n = 3) and reactions within the suspensory ligament (n = 2) were the most common health problems mentioned.ConclusionsIn Icelandic pace horses, training appears to commence at mature age and although they are trained most week days, training in pace is limited.Ethical Animal ResearchNo animals were used in the study. Sources of funding: Holar University College, Iceland and the Swedish National Trotting School in Wången, Alsen, Sweden. Competing interests: none.