{"id":9631,"date":"2020-07-22T16:40:07","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T14:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/?p=9631"},"modified":"2026-01-12T19:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T18:46:10","slug":"islandpferd-reiten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/en\/islandpferd-reiten\/","title":{"rendered":"Why you should ride an Icelandic Horse in Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Riding Icelandic horses is something very special. No matter whether you are an experienced rider or a newcomer to the saddle. The horses full of character with the expressive eyes let everybody get weak. And anyone who has ever ridden the gait t\u00f6lt through the Icelandic landscape will be thrilled. Here you can find out why you should definitely ride an Icelandic horse on Iceland and what you should keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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The character horse from Iceland - proud, self-confident and expressive <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What makes the Icelandic Horse so special?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Icelandic Horses - the Mercedes compact class with the five-speed transmission!\"<\/p>\nA popular saying among Icelandic horse riders.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I'm not kidding. Most horses run the gaits walk, trot and gallop. Icelandic horses can do more: the t\u00f6lt and some also the pass. The t\u00f6lt feels like rolling through the landscape with a sofa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pass is a gait that is only ridden at racing speed over short distances. The horse develops an enormous power and energy. Not every Icelandic horse masters the racing pass, the royal gait. A slow pass, on the other hand, is considered a mistake, it is difficult to sit and tends to throw you out of the saddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What a great sight: Icelandic horses in Iceland's beautiful countryside.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A unique Character<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the 9th century the first Viking ships landed on the uninhabited island in the North Atlantic. They brought horses with them. But 500 to 700 years ago the importation of horses stopped. Since then, the Icelandic horse has developed without crossbreeding. It adapted to the living conditions on Iceland and learned to survive in the open air all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Always curious and open-minded.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Icelandic horses are known worldwide for their friendly, open-minded and mostly uncomplicated character. They have a quick mind, are cooperative and willing to work. The lively competition horse can patiently carry an inexperienced rider the next moment. There are stories where the horses should have saved the lives of their riders. A friend for life then. But at the same time the animals are very self-confident and independent. They are accustomed to herd life and develop their own social structures, cliques and friendships in them. Young animals, which are not yet used for riding, live half wild in the mountains in summer. There is no better school than the wild Icelandic nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A friend for life!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Icelandic horses: keep calm and fall in love.<\/p>\nAnother popular saying among Icelandic horse riders.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

How did such a special character develop in an entire horse breed? An Icelander once explained it to me like this: when a horse has developed unwanted characteristics, it ends up in the cooking pot. Hmmm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reiten in Island – ein “Must Do”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Icelandic horses are almost omnipresent in Iceland. There are countless riding stables and farms and many offer guided rides. How to find a horse farm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n