Horse riding in Iceland. Visiting Hestaland 2024
Published in The Mail 10/24 Riding Icelandic horses is a truly unique experience. No matter how skilled a rider you are, you’ll need to retrain your brain to master the unique Icelandic gait; the tolt. It takes concentration, but as you ride through Iceland's countryside, don’t forget to pause and take in the breathtaking scenery. Growing up in Ballinasloe, home to the October Horse Fair, horses were an integral part of my early life and by 13, I had my own pony and regularly attended my local pony club. We kept our neighbours horses on our farm too, so a teenager I was very comfortable saddling up with the neighbours kids and going for long rides. Now, as a travel writer I try to incorporate horse-riding in to my holidays when possible. I’ve been lucky enough to horsehide in South Africa on a 5000 acre game reserve, I rode in remote China and in Mendoza, Argentina. I once spent a week trekking through Bordeaux vineyards, but I’ve always dreamed of riding an Icelandic horse. Follo