Tails of Iceland

[Kyrabee]

I watched this program on the love of the Icelandic horse. Very cool horses…I want one.

I have kind of turned into a geek on anything Iceland since taking up volcano watching in May. I am planning on a trip to Iceland in 2023. On one of the websites I frequent, they mentioned this program. I watched through Amazon Prime. I did have to “rent” it but it was only $2.99. Very much worth it. My 91 yo mother still doesn’t get my (now 66yo) horse infatuation and several of the people explained the “bug” and how once you have it, you have IT. She had a little problem with the accents but the scenery was lovely and horses everywhere.

Susan

[hoopoe]

I got all fan girl sqweeee when riding along in bus saw a beautiful piece of land with ponies on it. My opportunity to take a riding trek is long gone. If you are riding fit, check out the riding tour companies.

[2DogsFarm]

@hoopoe

My opportunity to take a riding trek is long gone.

Au contraire!
Unless you are physically too broken, you should be able to do an Icelandic ride.
80+yo lady I volunteer with was going to Iceland. I talked her into taking a trek horseback & she LOFFED it.
She is not a rider, never been & still enjoyed her daylong ride.

[Kyrabee]

@hoopoe

ponies

No…horses. My understanding is the Icelanders don’t take kindly to calling them ponies.

The tolt looks quite comfortable to ride. I have had my tailbone removed so I think my hours in the saddle time is long gone so I don’t think trekking is in my future. Maybe a shorter ride.
The program had a 90 yo gentleman that saddled up and exercised horses (rode one and ponied one)!

[Ajierene]

My completely non-horsey friend and his family enjoyed an Icedandic horse trek when they were there. I’m not sure about his daughters’ or wife’s athleticism, I know he isn’t really an athetic person and had no problem with the ride.

But that’s what the Icelandic horses were designed for - comfort all day. That’s what was in mind with all gaited horses - comfort and speed.

[Djones]

I boarded two iceys this past year. The gelding was the snorty, distrustful sort, but beautifully gaited. The mare was a delight - brave, bossy, forward and sharp as a tack. I think a tour would be a great adventure.

[onthebit]

I was in Iceland in early July and did two days of trekking on horseback. The Icelandics are an incredible breed with great minds, lots of stamina and so comfortable. I loved them.

[quietann]

They are amazing. DH and I took a 2-3 hour ride when we were there (in 2008 I think). DH really does not ride, so they put us on an old, slow pair of buddies. I was a little disappointed because I really wanted to go a bit faster, but it was still fun.

I have a couple of friends who have them. They do not like hot weather and are prone to sweet itch. One is a fun little mare, she is probably close to 30 now and pulls a carriage rather than carrying a rider. She is tiny (13.1 hands) and hot and can outwalk a 17 hand horse. Owner has foxhunted on her, done dressage, taken her to the beach, etc.

[2DogsFarm]

My Driving Club friends want to go & I’d go with them in a heartbeat.
One snag in the plans is they are non-vaxers. One had COVID & feels her antibodies are Majikal
The other is of the Political Plot persuasion.
I told them Iceland requires them to be vaccinated.
Are there any other requirements?

[Kyrabee]

I am not sure of the current status. I know they have had more cases in the last month but quite low compared to the US. One media outlet I follow said 90% of Icelanders were vaccinated. How would that be?
This should give that info.

Official information about COVID-19 in Iceland

I am waiting until 2023 although I am fully vaccinated. I
am planning on going solo (but with a tour of some kind). I am hoping that things are a bit settled by then. I don’t know…with friends like yours .

[sophie]

My sister, years ago, did a week-long trek with some riding friends in Iceland. She came back totally in love with the Icelandic horse, and as soon as the opportunity arose, she bought one. He was so much fun! So easy to ride, had all the comfy Icey gaits and produced them so easily. He was also very cute (chestnut with shaggy flaxen mane) with a dog’s personality. My sister, who has a bad back and knee, rode him rather than her SF horses on treks etc. When he passed she got another one who looked just like her beloved Kögur, but this one has some health problems ( emphysema, prone to founder) and his gaits are just not the same. He’s so cute and friendly though, she keeps him as a pet even if she can’t ride him much.

[Quickstar]

We traveled there in 2017, and it was one of the best trips ever. We did so many activities, including two horseback rides.

Our first ride was in Snaefellsbaer. I don’t recall the place, but we rode on the golden sand beaches.

The second ride was through https://icelandhorsetours.de/en/. My husband and I each ponied another horse, and partway through the ride, we switched horses. I’ve never galloped on a beach ponying another horse. (Our guide referred to them as “hand horses”).

Horses are everywhere. Even on the menu.