Lucky me (Riding in Iceland)

​I have been so lucky to meet new friends on our hotel riding tours in Iceland.  When travelling in very small groups (2-4 guests) we get to know our fellow riders well and they become long life friends! Many have returned every year.  Although dinner is not included on our hotel riding tours we always try to spend at least one evening all together, either at a local restaurant or at the hotel and usually on the last evening on the tour.  A good farewell dinner sharing stories about our horses and horsemanship are not to be missed!  

Lunches are a good time to soak in the nature, we have outside lunch when the weather is good but move into  the trailer if it´s raining.  Always with the horses on the side, as they enjoy a green grass for their lunch.  ​

​Talking about the horses, they are of course the stars on each tour.  The horses we choose for our guests are our own private horses which we train and ride during the winter season. Our main aim is for you to get the feeling that you are one of us, local Icelandic horse people.  You help us catching the horses, to put them on the trailer if needed and you put the bridle and saddle on your horse (unless you prefer not).  We want you to feel as a valued member of the group  i.e. that you become Icelandic for a few days.  

We bring along a booklet about our horses i.e. to describe their character and gaits. Which is fun to read, both before, during and after each riding day.  Perhaps you could also add some character symbol for the horses you have been riding?  Our horses are of all ages, but we do not bring younger horses than 7 years old for the riding (they might run along).  Our most popular horses are some of our elder gentlemen like Hljómur and Kári! I will do another blog about our much loved horses.  Stay tuned! 

On our signature hotel riding tours we bring 2-3 horses per rider.  On some trails we are not allowed to have a loose herd so we take them as a hand horses, the traditional way of riding in Iceland for centuries.   I am now, with my horses, practicing a new system from a local saddle maker so I can take 6 horses all by myself i.e. 3 horses in the front and 3 in the back. As my horses are used to be hand horses, they are doing very well and enjoying it!  But anywhere we can let them run free we do that. 
​You can also try to have a hand horse if you like.   

Our guests stay at 3-5 star local hotel (depending on the tour) and we try to have no more than 30 minutes driving time to the hotel, but during the pick up and drop off there is also a good time to get to know each other, or do some sightseeing on the way.  I decided to use the COVID time to study at the Icelandic guiding school which hopefully mean I will become a better guide for you.  But when visiting f.ex.  a cave in Iceland we take advantages of local guides (included on the tours).

On every tour we visit at least one „ Icelandic spa or mountain baths“, although there are swimmingpools or outdoor jazucci at the hotels.  It is simply so nice to soak in an Icelandic geothermal water after a long day in the saddle, perhaps with a glass of wine on the side? Don´t you agree?   

I hope I will meet new and old friends this summer (2021! ) In the meantime I keep on training my horses so they will be ready to tölt away with my friends as soon as we can all start travelling again. 

Text by:  Steinunn