Horse riding in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Icelandic Horse has always been very important for the people of Iceland, mostly for transportation and working. Today, thousands of people have their own horses and use them for pleasure riding, traveling and competition purposes. Also the horse plays a practical role in the annual sheep round-ups where farmers use horses to round up sheep and horses in the highlands. In Iceland, horseback riding and horse breeding has been growing in popularity over the last years. Furthermore, the Icelandic Horse has been growing in popularity in other countries. The first horses were exported decades ago and today there are over 100.000 Icelandic Horses in foreign countries, most of them in Germany and Scandinavia.
The history of the Icelandic Horse can be traced back to the settlement of the country in the late 9th century. The breed has remained pure for over a thousand years. Today, there are approximately 80.000 horses in Iceland - which a high number for a nation that counts 320.000 people. The Icelandic Horse is a five-gaited breed. As well as the typical gaits of walk, trot and canter/gallop, the breed has the ability to perform to additional gaits, called tölt (the specialty of the Icelandic Horse) and skeið (flying pace).
In Iceland, there are many horse rentals where travelers can go for shorter or longer riding tours. Traveling on horseback in the Icelandic landscape is a unique experience which allows you to see and hear some things, which otherwise you probably would not notice.
A link to an interactive map of some horse rentals in Snæfellsnes Peninsula:
Horse rentals in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Brimilsvellir farm (Brimhestar)
Riding tours in Brimilsvellir horse farm, the home of a German-Icelandic family. 7 days stay including daily riding tours with a guide, accommodation in the farm and traditional icelandic food.
www.islandia.is/brimhestar/e-index.htm
Gröf farm (Horseback Riding Iceland)
Riding tours in Gröf horse farm, a small family business. 6-7 days stay with daily riding tours with a guide, accommodation in the farm and all meals (made with some local products).
www.horsebackridingiceland.is/
Kverná farm (Áning)
Riding tours in Kverná farm, from one day up to 7-14 days, including historical riding tours. Also walking tours and fishing. Guesthouse, cottages and campsite.
www.simnet.is/kverna/english.htm
Lýsuhóll farm (Horses and Holidays)
Riding tours in Lýsuhóll horse farm, a small family business. Short and long riding tours: 2-3 hours tours up to 7 days stay with daily tours and accommodation in summer cottages or guesthouses.
(See map of the farms in the folder "Maps and GPS")