Horseback Riding in Iceland
Ride an Icelandic Horse in its Native Land and See Iceland's Beauty.
Feb 9, 2007
Horse Tours in Iceland
Ishestar is a company offering Icelandic horse tours for 25 years. Each tour is rated for difficulty level, with the one horse rating for beginners and the four horse rating for experienced riders who can handle horses in open countryside.
Day tours range from 1 – 8 hours. On the Lava tour you will ride into the lava fields surrounding a volcano and through the surrounding hills. Or, combine a day of horseback riding with a whale watching cruise. The Highland tours take you to northern Iceland to see the fjords, the meeting place of the North American and Eurasian plates, montain villages, and rocky beaches. From mid June to mid July you can experience the near constant daylight of the midnight sun. These tours last from 7-9 days, depending on the tour. The Countryside tours take you to natural geysers, black dunes, and the Blue Lagoon. There is even a tour in autumn where you can help sheep herders round up their flocks. These tour packages are for 2 – 8 days.
About Icelandic Horses
All Icelandic horses walk, trot, canter, gallop, and pace (move both legs on the same side at the same time), but they also have a fifth gait, known as the tölt, or running walk. Because they can be pony sized, some people refer to them as “Icelandic ponies.” It is believed they were brought to Iceland by Viking settlers in the 800s. They are probably a man-made breed, created from horses found in Scandinavia and Europe.
On the longer tours Ishestar likes to use horses from the area where the tour is operated. The horses used to the tide of the ocean are used for beach tours and the horses familiar with the higland plateaus in the east part of the country are used on the Highland tours. On average, 1,300 horses participate in the longer tours every year. All horses have at least four months vacation annually. The riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to the English riding style, but stirrups are worn long.
Accomodations, Luggage, and What to Bring
Accomodations are in made up beds, simple country cottages, or hotels along the way, depending on the tour. Luggage is transported by the kitchen van. Ishestar will loan you a safety helmet, rain gear, a saddle bag, and a sleeping bag with a sheet (where necessary). For longer tours, they will send you a list of recommeded items to bring. During the ride full board is included, along with water, coffee, and tea. See their website for more information.
