Why is Icelandic riding so popular?

Iceland is recognised by every horse enthusiast as a destination of choice. They want to ride there for a new and rewarding experience. So you may be wondering why Icelandic riding attracts such enthusiasm. Here's our answer.

For the horse tradition

Icelandic soil is known, among many others, as a place where horses enjoy the pleasure of existing to their heart's content. These animals are in fact the beauty and the wealth of the country, to the point of being a major tourist draw. Here, with nothing more than the products offered by La Sellerie Française you can ride as much as you like. That is precisely what leads some travellers to stop over in the land of fire and ice.

It is a particular way of paying tribute to the past and future history of the Icelandic people. In the past, the Icelandic people benefited from the various Viking wars of conquest. On those occasions they brought back to Icelandic soil pedigree horses that quickly adapted to the land. To preserve a private space for them to develop, the population went on to ban the importation of other animals onto their soil through a well-structured legal system. Today, the Icelandic horse breed is prized all over the world.

For the Icelandic horses

Icelandic horses have nothing to envy in the pedigree horses of other nations. They have character traits that put them in competition with both the Thoroughbred and the pony. They are also much appreciated by tourists, who find them very willing to work with.

The Icelandic horse is indeed a stocky horse. That does not stop it from performing impressive figures and movements. Riding enthusiasts in this country also prefer to work in the paces specific to the local horses. These are the tölt and the pace, which are only available to horses carrying a particular gene, one that is more widespread among Icelandic horses than anywhere else in the world.

The Icelandic horse is regarded as the best family horse. It can be ridden by children and adults alike, since it is understanding, of a high standard and capable of the technical feats people look for. It moves easily over rough ground as well as over ground that presents no danger at all. Rarely temperamental and of average height, it is ideal for avoiding accidents while riding.

For the remarkable landscapes

Riding in Iceland also means crossing magnificent country. For every rider who has ridden in this country, the landscapes to be discovered on a ride out are so numerous that no rider can claim to have seen them all. What's more, each one is more spectacular, more picturesque and more unusual than the last.

If you want to enjoy quality trail riding, Iceland is the country that offers it. The horse is suited to it. With the right equipment, a rider can expect a unique ride with sublime, postcard-worthy views.