Information About Iceland
Horse breeding in Iceland has always meant breeding only the Icelandic horses because no other horse breeds are allowed into the country due to an ancient Viking law still upheld today. In fact, when Icelandic horses are taken out of the country to compete in shows, they are not allowed back into the country.
Iceland is a volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island has no forests as we know them in parts of North America, but lowlands near the coastline have lush vegetation. About half of the island has no vegetation but is covered by lava fields and deserts. Also, one tenth of the country is covered by glaciers, with waterfalls and geysers adding to the natural beauty. It is a land of fire and ice with great natural beauty.
It is this isolation which has led to the purity of this Icelandic Horse breed. In Iceland, Icelandic horses are allowed to roam freely on common lands or home pastures, making these Icelandic horses more alert, intelligent and sure-footed. The tolt is the gait used by the Icelandic horse to cross broken ground swiftly. Icelandic Horses often exhibit a natural tolt in the pasture before they receive any training. Tolt is also the preferred gait for trekking, an Icelandic national pastime, and one gaining in popularity around the world.
Yes, in June of 1996, our family spent 2 weeks enjoying the wonders of this unspoiled Viking homeland. This volcanic island treated us to our best trip ever.
The following is a list of some of our fondest memories of Iceland:
The People. The Icelandic people are an extremely homogeneous group. Most descended from the original settlers who arrived in Iceland about 900 A.D. We found the Icelandic people to be polite, hard working, friendly and non-judgmental.
The Rapidity of Iceland Weather Changes. There is a saying in Iceland that, if you don t like the weather, just wait 10 minutes. We experienced many warm, sunny days, as well as brisk, gusty and rainy ones. Often, all of the above in the same 24-hour period. The crisp, cool winds soon became routine on this North Atlantic oasis. By law, in Iceland, headlights must be on at all times and with wind and rain storms, it was obviously wise legislation.
The Ubiquitous Churches. Every community, city, town, or even many individual farms, have a picturesque church in a prominent spot of view. In Akureyri, we experienced the bells in the bell tower at high noon (windy there, too), and counted off 113 steps to the entrance of the church in Akureyri. Most of the rural churches in Iceland were visual landmarks, usually with a steeple, white walls and red metal roofs.
The Generous Invitations for Coffee and Baked Goods at Every Home. Icelanders consume more coffee per person on average, than any nation on earth. The coffee is strong and quite good. At virtually every stop, residents generously offered all of our family coffee, or Applesin (orange soda), and usually mountains of baked goods. Such invitations were extended graciously at virtually every contact with Icelanders.
The Uncanny Ability of Icelandic People To Keep the Landscape Uncluttered by Signage Everywhere. In centuries past, the way to travel across barren areas was by landmarks, usually simply stacked rocks. Perhaps this is a genetic part of Icelandic tradition, to want to discover, rather than clear signage on routes. There are some signs, usually very small with polysyllable words, words that most Americans couldn't sneeze. Many roads are staked on both sides, to mark the road in snow-blown winter weather. We went to a bank at Lake Myvatn in an apparent home on a dirt road above another house. No signs were visible anywhere outside. It is both necessary and customary to stop frequently to ask locals for directions in unfamiliar territories.
Both the Superb Quality and Obvious Quantity of Pure, Fresh Water on this Island. Streams and rivers are present everywhere on virtually every land parcel carrying run-off from mountains and glaciers. The water is delicious. Farmers and landowners commonly backhoe ditches six to eight feet deep, and eight to twelve feet wide to direct run-off and ground water. Such ditches are also used to contain livestock, instead of fences.
The Ability to Take Photos at Midnight Without a Flash. We were in Iceland during the longest day of the year, in this land of the midnight sun. It is most difficult to explain that it's bedtime to a child, when it never gets dark. We frequently saw horses being ridden and ponied at midnight, bright midnight.
The Large Numbers of Animals, Particularly Sheep, Horses, Fish and Birds. This small Scandinavian country has numbers between 80 to 100,000 horses, and 3 to 5 times as many sheep. Sheep come in black, white, brown and gray, and black and white, brown and white, gray and white pinto. The horses are incredibly talented, and an important part of local recreation and tourism and a valuable natural resource to this nation. Trekking is routine, and trails are found everywhere. Lamb and fish are the most common meats consumed. Birds blanket many of the smaller islands around. Iceland birds number in the millions, and the small islands, on which they're found, number in the hundreds, or thousands, depending on the tide (tide changes are about 20 feet!).
The Flowers in the Midst of Fields of Volcanic Rock. We were fortunate to have a personal audience with Iceland's President, Vigidis Finbogadottir, during our visit. She had huge bouquets of flowers in her home. The one flower she spoke of most highly was lupine, which we saw throughout the Icelandic hillsides. The taproot of this flower helps break up rocks and form top soil. Many different flowers were seen all over this rugged landscape, even in the midst of recent lava flows.
The Vast Nature of This Small Island. In the brief two weeks we visited Iceland, we put approximately 4,000 kilometers on the rental van we used to get around. We saw much of this land of fire and ice; made the Golden Circle and saw Geysir, Gulfoss and Thingavallur; flew to Westman Islands; drove to Akureyri, Lake Myvatn and around the peninsula at the West Fjords. We went on a boat ride to Eric the Red's Hideout Bay (from 1,000 years ago) and, of course, saw birds, birds, birds, and ate fresh, raw seafood, as well as dead shark meat (hakarl), 4 to 5 months old (an Icelandic specialty). I'm sure the original Viking settlers thought they'd found Vahalla, when they landed on this mystical island.
The Unwavering National Pride Exhibited by all Icelanders. After our short visit to this spectacular island of vivid contrasts, it is not hard to understand why Icelanders so love their Homeland. Icelanders speak highly of their small country and their beloved president. We were encouraged by all residents we encountered to experience the beauty and variety of this most unusual nation.
The Enormous Amount of Geothermal Activity and the Interesting Benefits from Such Energy. About 95% of homes and businesses in Reykavik 'Bay of Smokes', are heated by water from the vast subterranean thermal activity present throughout this island, (86% on entire Island). Situated atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. Approximately 1/3 of all the lava flows from the earth since 1,500 A.D. have poured out of the volcanoes of Iceland (about 200 in number). This energy released from the earth's unstable interior makes for spectacular geysers, hot springs (more in Iceland than any other country in the world) and is an excellent source of hot water. Geothermally heated Greenhouses are able to grow tomatoes, bananas and all sorts of flowers typically found adorning Icelandic homes. Even remote farms often have large hot tubs with both home and hot tub geothermally heated. And, of course, we had to enjoy the Blue Lagoon, a pool rich in silica, salt and other elements. The Blue Lagoon is merely run off water from the Svartsengi power plant which heats fresh water and generates electricity. Psoriasis and eczema sufferers notice symptomatic relief after bathing in the relaxing waters of the Blue Lagoon. The kids said their hair was wiry, however, after mud fights in the Blue Lagoon.
The European Flavor of the Cities. Half of the ¼ million people who live on Iceland live in Reykavik. Reykavik and the northern city of Akureyri both are beautiful and comfortable. Narrow streets and small shops reflect a quaint European flair in both of these cities. Turn-arounds rather than intersections with counter clockwise traffic also were a frequent dizzying experience in Iceland.
Everything in Iceland is Expensive. Iceland is one of the world's most expensive countries. Car rental or van rental, as was the case with our family, was unquestionably the most costly part of our Icelandic adventure. To truly understand Iceland one must travel outside the city and experience nature in all its majesty and variety. Plan to spend more time and money than you expect.
Beautiful Landscape. From the 'Golden Circle' with Geysir, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir, to the Westman Islands to Snaefellsnes Peninsula to Lake Myvatn, this island is special for all it's beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. And all of this with almost no trees. The government is working hard and there are both birch and spruce trees present, scattered throughout the island. The birch trees grow so slowly, however, in this subarctic environment that rarely do they show white bark. Iceland is yet naturally spectacular and unspoiled.
The Smooth, Sweet Taste of Skyr. Skyr is a traditional Icelandic dish, most aptly described as a cross between yogurt and cream cheese. It is made from skim milk and is delicious served with fresh fruit and cream. All of the dairy products of Iceland are exceptionally pure and tasty; milk, butter and cheeses. They are derived from cows raised without added hormones and on the coarse, pesticide-free grass, abundant during the short, arctic summer. We consumed a lot of dairy products, as do most Icelanders.
Iceland is a land of sod houses, black volcanic sand beaches, fish drying racks, wind, gaited horses, glaciers, volcanoes puffin’, sheep, waterfalls, Vikings and sagas, ducks, lupine and midnight sun, it is truly an awe-inspiring wonderland.
by Jim Hood
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