The wintertime is the main riding season for many Icelanders. The horses are frisky and well-rested after a few months in the summer pastures. It is so much fun and a different experience to go horseback riding during the wintertime especially in freshly fallen snow. The landscape changes and can look totally different and some might say even more beautiful than during the summertime. In the old days, the horses were especially essential during the wintertime and Icelanders used them to go between farms and for long distances in hard conditions. The horses are therefor sure-footed in the snow and on ice but need special snowshoes for the wintertime so they will not slide and of course to protect them from injuring their hooves on the ice.
It is not until in recent centuries that Icelanders started to care for the horses that stayed outside. Before that, the horses had to take care of themselves selves and only the strongest horses survived the harsh winters which made the breed altogether very strong and sturdy. To be able to live through harsh winters in Iceland the Icelandic horse grows a thick winter fur. Not only does the firm winter fur protect the horses from cold, but they are also longer on the outer layer which protects the inner layer from rain and water. It varies between horses how much hair they grow and some even change colors when they get their winter fur.
Winter riding tours in Iceland
We do offer an enjoyable 4 days winter riding tour in the tranquillity of the southern countryside of Iceland. On this tour called Winter Riding and Northern Lights, we ride from the farm Kálfhóll where the farmer Gestur and family lives. After a wonderful day in the saddle, we can soak in the hot tup and we might even see the dazzling northern lights in the dark sky above us. Another tour that is perfect to do during the wintertime is Farm Stay with the farmer Haukur from Hvammur farm. On this tour, you can choose how many days you would like to go on, how many times you want to go riding and help with the farmer’s doing their daily winter chores around the farm. Staying in Iceland with local farmers does not get more authentic than this!
