>7
1871
[880
1890
[900
'910 .
1920 .
928
Horses
vears and over
23 060
Lol
Xe
dg
20803
377
35 923
Young horses
one to three
years old
6 629
5479
1 864
1654
14 039
12932
Total
29 689*
38019*
*351 31281
768 41 654
2536 44 815
2968 50 645
3381 52 245
fmale
Goats are few and found almost exclusively in the Thingeyjar distric
Their number is, however, increasing, and was: in 1900, 1910, 1920,
and 1928, 270, 660, 2000, and 2800 head respectively.
Poultry have not been counted fill the last few years. According
lo the statistics of 1928 they numbered 36 000, which is probably
too low.
EXPORT OF LIVE STOCK
The export of horses, begun about the middle of the nineteenth cen-
tury, increased considerably after 1870, chiefly to England, where they
were employed in the coal mines. But since 1900 horses have also
heen sold to Denmark, where they are used by the small holders as
beasts of draught. During the Great War Denmark was the only mar-
ket for Icelandic horses.
The export of horses for fiftv vears has been as follows:
1871—1880, on the average
1881-1890,
1891—1900,
1901-1910,
1911-1920,
1921 —1028.
| 477 head
2241 —
2129
3229
2 609
I 646
The highest figure was reached in 1899, when 5700 head were ex-
ported. During the last stages of the Great War this trade almost
completely ceased. After the conclusion of peace some increase was
again observable, though the pre-war level was never reached; and in
recent years a decline has once more set in,
According to law of 1907 no lean horses, nor horses in an other-
wise poor condition, nor those having any marked blemishes or defects,
may be exported. Horses ranging from 4 to 10 years may be exported,
if in other respects they come up to the standard, and 3 year-olds if
#) Foals ara not included in these figures.