The horse

The breed is classified as a horse, not a pony, despite weighing 330 to 380 kg. Besides walk, trot and canter, it has the tölt, a smooth four-beat gait with one foot always on the ground, and the flying pace, a two-beat racing gait; top flying-pace horses reach about 48 km/h. In 982 AD the Althing banned importing new horses, which kept the breed pure for over a thousand years. About 92,000 live in Iceland, and roughly 215,000 are registered worldwide. The 1783 to 1784 Laki eruption killed about 70 percent of Iceland's horses.

Choosing a tour

Short rides last one to two hours, and most beginner tours need no prior experience. Tours run all year near Reykjavík, on the South Coast and in West Iceland. Check the weight limit before booking, since most operators set a maximum rider weight of 100 to 110 kg. The Red Lava tour from Reykjavík is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 2,815 reviews.

In the South, Skógar has a horse rental, and Vík offers summer riding on the black sand beach below Reynisdrangar. In the North, a whales-and-horses day pairs a Húsavík whale tour with a ride; compare in whale watching in Iceland.

Whales and horses

In the north two operators sell the combination. Gentle Giants lists GG3 Whales & Horses as a combo of whale watching and Icelandic horse riding, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and its whale tour alone costs ISK 12,490 for adults in 2026. North Sailing lists Whales and Horses among its sailing and schooner tours, with day tours cancellable free up to 24 hours before departure and children aged 6 and under riding free on the boat. Prices for the combined tours are on the operators' booking pages.

When to go

Tours run year-round, but conditions differ: in summer the daylight is long (about 20 to 21 hours in Reykjavík in June), while in winter Reykjavík has about 4 hours around the solstice. Dress in layers, as in the packing list in Iceland in summer; for cold months see Iceland in winter.

Staying near a ride

Skógar has a museum with a turf farmhouse, the Skógakirkja church from 1890, Hotel Drangshlíð, Hotel Skogá and a camping ground, so a ride there can sit between Skógafoss and the museum. Vík has the Katla information centre, the Lava Show and a maritime museum, and hikes on Reynisfjall near the bird cliffs. For the wider list of activities, see things to do in Iceland and best day trips from Reykjavik.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Ignoring the weight limit of 100 to 110 kg on most tours.
  • Expecting a long ride: short tours last one to two hours.
  • Assuming you need experience: most beginner tours do not.
  • Calling it a pony: the breed is classified as a horse.

FAQ

Do I need experience?

No, most beginner tours require none.

How long are the rides?

Short rides last one to two hours.

What is the tölt?

A smooth four-beat gait with one foot always on the ground.

What is the weight limit?

Most operators set 100 to 110 kg.

The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.