FAQ

We ask for a deposit to reserve your saddle since many of our tours get sold out and it can be difficult to fill the saddle if booking is cancelled when it is close to the departure. All bookings we receive needs work from our team as well, emails and communication.

Our cancellation terms are as follows:

• A cancellation made with more than 42 days – deposit paid by the client.
• A cancellation made with more than 21 days but less than 42 days’ notice is subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
• A cancellation made with less than 21 days’ notice means that the full price will be collected.

Group size usually ranges from 10-20 riders.

The main thing is to wear something you think comfortable while riding. We recommend high riding boots with a heal but it is OK if you only have low or don´t have any at all. Make sure you bring more than one pair of comfortable shoes to change if you get wet for example hiking shoes, rubber boots or riding boots.

Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. Book a Flybus

The Icelandic Horse

The breed is best known for its four-beat smooth gait, the “tölt”, which is very comfortable for the rider, especially on a longer tour.  Riding an Icelandic horse in its native habitat land is an authentic riding experience.  

• Herd

Herding along free running horses is the traditional way of travelling in Iceland, since horses are changed at least once a day on longer tours. You get to ride a variety of horses.  

• Icelandic Nature

Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe, with a pure, unpolluted and truly magical landscape.

• Nature bathing

In Iceland (and on our riding tours) you can find hot spring oasis featuring hot pools and geothermal hot springs that are perfect for relaxing after a long riding day.

The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different then the tack ordinarily used for other breeds.

The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides a crupper helps keeping the saddle in place. Riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long.

Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.

Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb

WE THINK THERE ARE FIVE KEY ELEMENTS WHY BOOK WITH ÍSLANDSHESTAR:

The farmers
The real connoisseurs of the local terrain and history. We make sure that each tour has its own charm and is organized by the local expert, the farmer, and his family. They use their own horses and ride through the part of the country they know so well.

Diversity
Íslandshestar offers riding tours in most parts of the country, South, West, North and across the highlands. Everything from a 2 days countryside tour to a 10 days highland tour, as well as day riding tours in the Capital area.

Experience
Our farmers have over 30 years of experience in leading riding groups through Iceland.

International groups
Our guests come from many countries, so be prepared to meet new horse lovers from all over the world.

Innovation
We are constantly working on new ideas and itineraries to offer to our riders and come up with new tours every year.

Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.

Please understand that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: www.mast.is

You should be ready for all kinds of weather as the weather can change very quickly.We recommend that the following items are included when preparing for our longer tours:

Warm jacket or overcoat.
Warm (woolen or fleece) sweater.
Warm socks and gloves, at lest two pairs, scarf and a cap or hat.
Warm underwear, long if possible (protects also from chafing).
For the ladies – sports bra.
Riding trousers.
A pair of slippers to wear in the accommodation. (Icelanders take off their shoes when entering a house).
Swim suits, towels, soap etc.
A small camera to take with you on the ride.
Band aids and second skin plasters for chafing.
Insect repellent, gnat net head cover.
Chocolate or glucose sweets for strenuous riding days.
Sun lotion for face and lips (with high sun factor).

Additionally for sleeping bag accommodation: Sleeping bag, Small pillow to sleep on, Ear plugs, Some people snore.

Íshestar provides:

Saddle bags, Rain wear and Safety helmet.

You do not have to be an expert rider to participate in our tours, but some tours are by nature more difficult than others.
All our tours are categorized to help you choose the right tour according to your previous riding experience. Some tours are for riders with little riding experience, others are more difficult and therefore the rating should help to find a suitable tour for everyone. If in doubt call us or send us an e-mail.

Category: Beginners / Easy
Little or no riding experience needed.

Category: Intermediate riders / Challenging
Comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length trots (tölt) and short canters.

Category:  Advanced / Extreme
Comfortable and in control at all paces, firm seat, comfortable in the saddle for up to 7 hrs. per day. Who rides regularly and is capable of handling horses in an open country.

If you know how to ride a horse using English riding style you should have no problems riding an Icelandic horse. Western-style riders should not experience any difficulties adjusting to the Icelandic way of riding either. Íslandshestar’s guides will take some time at the beginning of each tour to explain the correct way to saddle the horse, mount it and how to ride the different gaits. They will carefully explain how and when to ride “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse.