Tips on Riding holidays in Iceland

Sussexbythesea

Sussexbythesea

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Hi - Anyone been on any type of riding holiday / treks in Iceland?

Have always wanted to go just for the fact it has so many amazing Geological features (have Geology degree much neglected now) and to combine it with riding would be fantastic. Have come into a bit of money and also my nephew is living out there at the moment so thought I might do a trek then visit him for a few days.

Seen this one which looks good - any other suggestions would be appreciated.

http://eldhestar.is/?c=webpage&id=70&lid=57&pid=32&option=links

Any advice or experiences would be great - the longer treks appeal to me but there are many hours in the saddle - will my bum stand up to that? :eek: :D any tips on what should wear/ avoid etc.

Many thanks :)
 
Can't really help much on this one!

One of my old friends was Icelandic and had 7 little Icelandic ponies, personally I hate them with a passion :p

It's a gorgeous place though if you know where you're looking!
 
i went on a 2hr trek a couple of years ago when i was on a short break in iceland. think i went to ishestar. whole thing was incredible, was the first time id ridden properly in about 10 years but it was so exhilarating. staff werent terribly friendly. they gave us these big boiler suit type things to wear as it was november and we would have frozen without them! any horse riding gear you take needs to be disinfected and certified else its not allowed in. iceland is a gorgeous country, have fun!
 
We went with Ishestar as well, agree with gemin1eye, they weren't overly friendly but Icelanders as a nation aren't! They were OK with me once they realised I could ride (NB, compared with everyone else on the beginners ride) and took me off to one side & I got to tolt :grin: Highlight of my ride!!

We're going back next month, I adore Iceland as a country, if I could take my animals I'd move there in a heartbeat.
 
I went to Iceland in April and it is just the most incredable place on earth!

I didn't go riding, so sorry no advice there, but can throughly reccomend going to Iceland. Especially if you have a geology interest, it'd be paradise!:)
 
I've had a couple of long hacks in Iceland. I love, love, love Icelandic horses, they are awesome. The scenery is amazing, and we were hurtling over footing I would have been scared to lead my own horses over.

A friend of mine recently came back from a week-long Icelandic riding holiday (where a herd is driven from one place to another). He had a great time and didn't complain about getting sore despite being a relatively inexperienced, although quite competent, rider.
 
One word dont, it rains all the time! No seriously its quite a place :)

I did the BHS challenge ride to Iceland, good fun and raising money for a charity. This was through Ishestar and organised very well.

My advice anytime you go pack waterproofs, we went in August and it rained everyday, there are no trees to shelter under ;) The way of riding was different, e.g. get on do Tolt for about 1hr, get of stand around in wet field/lava field/beach for 15 mins to rest, get on go really fast and the repeat above! Breaks for lunch too, would have been much better if it hadnt rained. Trying to eat soggy sandwiches in the rain and gales is not fun in the middle of an open lava field! Oh and beware of the beaches most of them are black lava and the goo stinks, think dirty pond smell, eugh. Also take long waterproof boots (I took muck boots and they were great and still warm) as went through quite a lot of rivers. The advice is right above about things being new/being disinfected to stop infection entering the country.

Am not selling it to you am I :D

It is a good place and the tour before we went had brilliant weather. Scenery is fantastic and horses were lovely. And the rate at which you go at a tolt is fab, very sure footed horses :)
 
Thanks for the insights everyone :eek: Maybe I should ease myself in with a shorter trek...

Seriously though I expect it to be an "experience" rather than a holiday as such. What was accommodation like? I think I can handle a hard day as long as I get a decent nights sleep and preferably a hot shower. My sister whose son is out there at the moment went on some walk that Julia Bradbury did - sounded awesome except for the communal sleeping and the inability to wash or get completely dry :eek:

I used to be capable of slumming it but not so sure these days! :D
 
Icelandics are like nothing else to ride IMHO NOTHING compares to riding an Icelandic! Haven't personally been to Iceland yet (dare not go yet incase I end up being several home with me). Tbh I don't find I get achy or tired as quickly riding icelandics particularly in tolt.
 
it is GREAT! great country, fab food, friendly people, and the horses are great - though mostly tiny little things but strong.

alcohol is super expensive so do what the locals do and when you get off the plane fill up a trolley at duty free before you leave the airport. transport etc is really easy, great buses, etc.

biggest tip is to book yourself into the Blue Lagoon for at least a half day afterwards, its so brilliant, and you can get there on airport bus.

http://www.bluelagoon.com/

otherwise try spend some time in Reykavik, great whale watching from there, but it does rain all the time!
 
Oh also as a geologist try go to the volcano show in reykavik - a little cinema in the back of this geologists house, showing movies he shot himself of volcanoes in Iceland. Its pretty good, and make sure to go to the black sand beach with the formations (same as the giants causeway).
 
I had a week's riding holiday there about two years ago. Booked with Ishestar.

I'm a novice and hadn't done much riding before I went. I took my HM seat saver as I'd been told the saddles aren't too comfortable and I coped fine with up to 7-8 hours a day in the saddle.

Accommodation was lovely. Most nights we were in a farmhouse with all the creature comforts and one night was spent in a hostel type place which was just as comfortable.

I'd love to go back again one day on the more experienced tour but it is just so expensive.
 
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