I don’t know what I love more about our road trips around Iceland, the stunning landscape or the Icelandic horses.
It is a tough call!
Warning, this post is full of horse pictures and facts, if you don’t like horses this post is probably not for you, but I dare you to not fall in love with the Icelandic horses!
A few weekends ago H and I were heading back home from a perfect fall day at Thingvellir when we drove past a field of horses. I told H the next horse we saw we had to stop and say hello, that would just be the cherry on top of our already wonderful day.
Not even a few minutes later I was getting my happy ending with the most adorable horse in Iceland. This horse seriously had so much personality, it was like playing with a big dog!
Now I am not a horse crazy person (I am that crazy dog lady though) but here I am writing an entire post about horse facts. I blame it on George the horse (yes I just made that name up for him). I just couldn’t not share all the pictures we took of George and figured a post full of horse facts was a good excuse to get to use all my pictures of George the horse.
But really, the Icelandic horses are pretty neat animals. So lets just call this a fun fact Friday post and get to talking about the Icelandic horses.
1. The Icelandic horse is one of the purest horse breeds in the World
2. The Icelandic horse has five different gaits, two of which are specific to the Icelandic horse the tolt and flying pace. I won’t even attempt to explain the specifics of these two gaits, but if you are interested here is a good description.
3. Once an Icelandic horse leaves Iceland it is not allowed to enter back into the country.
4. Icelandic horses have heavy double layer coats to help protect them from the harsh Icelandic climate. I have always wondered if they were cold out there! Now I know they are not freezing like I always was thinking!
5. Icelandic horses are usually not ridden until the age of 4. Since they live to such an old age there is no rush in riding them. The oldest Icelandic horse lived to be 56 years old!
6. The Icelandic horses are short and have similar characteristics to a pony, but they are definitely not a pony and are sensitive if you call them that.
7. The Icelandic horse comes in many colors, they can appear in up to 42 different color combinations! Some types of Icelandic horses coats even change color by seasons.
8. Icelandic horses have a lively temperament and love being around people. Because of their love for people they excel as therapy horses. And who wouldn’t want to cuddle with these adorable animals?!
It won’t take you long to discover that Icelandic horses really do love people, just pull over near a horse field and they will quickly run over to say hello. And if you are taking some pictures be prepared for them to get up and close for their photo op.
I just love the Icelandic horses.
A road trip in Iceland really isn’t complete without petting an Icelandic horse or two. I recommend stopping whenever you see horses, this may make your road trip longer, but it is worth it! And in the spring time when the babies are out playing in the field be prepared for a cuteness overload!
If you want to spend even more time with the Icelandic horses I recommend looking into a horse riding tour. riding on one of the cute Icelandic horses thorough the lava fields, that really is one story you won’t tire of telling!
Question of the Day?
What is your favorite animal? Would you go horseback riding in Iceland?