The Icelandic horse is truly a magnificent animal and in a league of it's own in the international arena. Since Iceland was isolated for many centuries the breeding of this horse with other breeds was no existent for many centuries, if in fact it has ever been bred with another kind. This makes him different from other breeds in many ways. He is quite small, almost like a pony, and has five gaits: walk, trot, canter/gallop, the flying space and it's own trademark, the "tolt". The horse breeding industry has become quite powerful in Iceland in recent years since the breed is in high demand all around the world. There are often big horse events in the countryside, with riding shows and competition. At the final day of such events, most the time there is what Icelanders call "sveitarball", which translates directly to countryside ball, where a band plays and people drink and dance.
Going horseback riding shouldn't need to be as expensive as it would seem at first. If you have a rental car, you could drive to the nearest horse rental, there are plenty all around the country as well as around Reykjavik, and rent a horse on a scheduled tour. 4000 ISK for 1 hour scheduled riding tour should sound about right. 6000 ISK for 2 hour ride. Take note though that 2 hour riding tour for un experienced riders is quite a work out for your thighs and you will probably have massive strings in your muscles the day after. Longer unconventional tours, to lets say the highlands with some kind of theme is more expensive of course.
Below we have put down some horse rentals and further down some tour services that offer horse tours. On some of those websites you can find good articles about the Icelandic horse and it's history.
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Hallormstadur Hotel
Local Web
Located:
Hallormstadur
710 Egilsstadir
++354 4712400 |
Katur Horse Rental
Local Web
Located:
Near Akureyri
++354 6957218 |
Leirubakki Horse Rental
Local Web
Located:
South Iceland / See Map
++354 4878700 |
Topphestar
Local Web
Located:
Skagafjordur / North Iceland
++354 4535130 |
Eld-Hestar
Local Web
Located:
Vellir
810 Hveragerdi
++354 4804800 |
Geysir Center
Local Web
Located:
At Geysir
Postcode 801
++354 4806800 |
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Hestakrain
Local Web
Located:
Hustoftir 2
Skeidum
++354 4865616 |
Ice
Local Web
Located:
Alftaland 17
108 Reykjavik
++354 5885555 |
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Hekluhestar
Local Web
Located:
Austvadsholt
851 Hella
++354 4876598 |
Activity.is
Local Web
Office:
Tunguhals 8
110 Reykjavik
++354 5809900 |
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Ishestar
Local Web
Located:
Sorlaskeid 26
220 Hafnarfirdi
++354 5557000
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IcelandTotal
Local Web
Located:
Skutuvogur 13A
104 Reykjavik
++354 4854300 |
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