Images of Icelandic horses that will warm your heart
Gígja Einarsdóttir, an Icelandic Photographer was born and raised with Icelandic horses. Her beautiful images capture the strength, grace, and gentle nature of the animals. She worked as a horse trainer for some years before changing course to study photography.
“I love to work with them and watch them….they have an unbelievable network of communication and energy I can’t explain with words.”
“I suppose being a horse trainer helps. But the job also requires a lot of patience – I’ll often sit out in a field, completely still, for hours on end, waiting for the perfect moment to present itself."
There is something about white horses. The lines, forms and expressions are so visible. They have a special significance in the mythologies of cultures around the world. I always photograph the white horses in the herd a lot more than others, even without noticing until I upload the photos. I think it has something to do with my love of fairytales and spiritual creatures!
In the winter they grow a special, three-layer coat, which helps them survive wind and snowstorms.
Sarah Mcmahon writing in the 'Iceland Magazine', offers travllers some emphatic advice. The Icelandic horse may be small in stature, but a pony it is not! So, please refrain from referring to it as one. Icelanders consider it a grave insult to hear this revered animal being called a pony. So beware!
The Icelandic horse is hardy, surefooted and long-lived and through the ages it was fondly termed “the most useful servant”, seeing as it made life in this barren country just a tad bit easier.
Laws prohibit horses to be imported into Iceland, and exported animals are not allowed to return. This has resulted in a very pure and healthy breed of horse.
What makes the Icelandic horse unique is that it can display two additional gaits to the typical walk, trot and gallop. The first being a four-beat ambling gait called tölt, and the second being a pace called skeið, or flying pace. The latter gate is fast and smooth with some horses being able to reach up to 48 kilometres per hour (30 miles per hour).
To enjoy watching these beautiful horses highlighting their various gaits, click here