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Icelandic Horse – The Breed of Fire and Ice, photographer Gigja Einars

  • Writer: MS
    MS
  • Jan 16
  • 2 min read
The Icelandic horse is one of the most exceptional horse breeds.It is original and pure, small but strong, and sure-footed. It also has one “extra” gait, the tölt, and if you have ever ridden one, you know how wonderfully comfortable it is.
Like most cold-blooded breeds, Icelandic horses are calm, independent, and very, very charming.
The Icelandic horse is one of the oldest horse breeds and represents the closest link to early domesticated horses. They were brought to Iceland between the years 874 and 930 by the Vikings who settled on the island.
Embroidered cloth made in England in the 1070s Vikings Iceland
Embroidered cloth made in England in the 1070s
As the Vikings traveled the Atlantic Ocean in small, open rowboats, transporting horses was not easy. They brought only the horses they needed, and since then no horses have been imported into Iceland. For centuries, long before motor engines, the Icelandic horse carried people, goods, mail, building materials and more. The Icelandic horse was an essential part of the culture and of the religion as well. The Viking god Odin rode Sleipnir, a horse with eight legs.
image of The Viking god Odin riding Sleipnir, a horse with eight legs.
Odin and Sleipnir - an 18th century Icelandic manuscript
Nowadays horseback riding is a very popular sport and hobby in Iceland. Although it’s not possible to import horses into Iceland, but they can be exported, and it is possible to ride and keep them in many other countries as well. Icelandic horses can be kept outside all year round. They have a thick fur coat and are accustomed to harsh weather conditions. There are stables in Iceland, and riding horses are kept in them, while breeding horses and young horses stay outside all year. Gigja Einarsdottir is an Icelandic photographer who was born and raised among Icelandic horses. She captures both the nature of the horses and the beautiful Icelandic landscape so that you immediately see the connection between the breed and the nature surrounding it. We hope you enjoy her talent.
image of Iceland horse pack under the Auroa Borealis Gigja Einars
Icelandic horses under the Auroa Borealis

image of iceland horse pack in snow Gigja Einars

image of image of iceland horses in wind Gigja Einars

image of iceland horse pack running in the sea Gigja Einars

image of white iceland horses in summer Gigja Einars


image of iceland horse and black sand Gigja Einars
Iceland has black beaches made of volcanic basalt sand formed from cooled lava.

image of iceland horse Gigja Einars
Both horses and elves thrive among the moss-covered rocks.
image of iceland horse pack running in water Gigja Einars

image of iceland horse and waterfall Gigja Einars
Iceland is estimated to have over 10,000 waterfalls.

image of young iceland horse Gigja Einars


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Instagram @gigjaeinars Some of our Iceland horse "customers" photographed by their owners:
iceland horses

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