ABOUT THE RIDING

Style of Riding: Icelandic riding style is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long. Your guide will spend some time at the beginning of the ride explaining how and when to ride the 'tolt', the special gait of the Icelandic horse.

Type of Riding: Trail Ride. Pace will depend on the group and terrain. The terrain varies from lava fields to grassy meadows.

Type of Tack: The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different then the tack ordinarily used for other breeds. The saddle is closer to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. A crupper helps keep the saddle in place. Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.

Hours in the Saddle: 4 to 7 hours a day.

Riding Ability Required: Intermediate upward. Riders need to be comfortable and in control at all paces, have a firm seat and need to feel comfortable in the saddle for up to 7 hours per day

Maximum Weight: 110kg - 120 kg (17st - 19st). If a rider is close to the maximum weight they must be experienced riders.

Number of Guides per Ride: 2 - Usually there is a guide who is mainly responsible for the guests and one who is mainly responsible for the horses and directions. These two lead the tour together. Additionally there are more staff members to help with the free running herd, usually at least 2 additional riders as well as a cook who transports the luggage on the kitchen vehicle.

Minimum/Maximum number of riders in group: 8/21

Looking after the horse: Guests are expected to groom and saddle their horses.

ABOUT THE HORSES

The origin of the Icelandic Horse comes from Scandinavia in the ninth century. Since no other breed of horse has ever been imported to Iceland, this special animal is a purebred "Viking Horse". Strong and sure-footed, the Icelandic horse has many characteristics unique unto itself. Perhaps the most noticeable would be its intermediate size (13.2hh -14.2hh) and the shaggy mane.

The five gaits of the horse are also one of the special features that set it apart from all other horses. The walk is a four-beat gait. When walking the horse should be relaxed, moving ahead briskly, putting each foot down independently. The walk is also good for releasing tension and to teach the horse to work in a more focused manner. The trot is a two-beat gait where front and hind legs on opposite sides move together. The trot is one of the so-called basic gaits and is used a lot in basic training before the horse masters tolt. The canter/gallop is a three-beat gait, ridden at different speeds. A slow canter is comfortable and is common all over the world in different horse breeds. A fast gallop can liven up the horse and increase its willingness, positive attitude and enthusiasm to work. The tolt is the specialty of the Icelandic Horse. It is a smooth four-beat gait in which the horse's hind legs should move well under the body and carry more of the weight on the hind part, allowing the front to rise and be free and loose. The flying pace is a two-beat gait, well known in the international racing world. When pacing the horse moves both legs on the same side together. In Iceland pace horses are ridden in races, not raced in front of a sulky like in other countries and pace racing in Iceland is one of the oldest and most respected equestrian sports.

What makes riding in Iceland special is the old tradition of riding with a free running herd. This tradition is followed on all of the rides featured. Spare horses are herded along to be able to change the mount at least once a day, requiring 2 to 3 horses per participant. For a group of 20 participants and staff this means a herd of between 70 and 90 horses.