Sunday afternoon at Mr Iceland's farm

  

  It is a good thing that google maps worked to help us find Mr Iceland about 6 miles south of  Þjóðvegur, Iceland just off the Ring Road.  Meeting and riding the Icelandic horses was a highlight of our trip.  Our visit was for about 6 hours and we had a great experience. 

When we arrived, the horses for our ride where in stalls in the stables waiting. 

Hodur, our host, had grown up in Iceland, but had studied in the US getting his degree from University of Virginia before moving to Germany for a Master's Degree and then moving home again. He spent a lot of time with us that afternoon, meeting us and assigning us to our specific mounts for our ride.  Annalise was thrilled with her horse and wished she could take him home with her.  This was her special request for the trip, and I'm so glad she picked this.  

 

After our riding lesson in his barn, we took a trail ride across his farm and along a small river that opened to the nearby ocean and boasted salmon fishing.  The gravel trail led towards snow capped mountains to the north ahead of us and it was a glorious day. 

 Riding Icelandic horses is surprisingly different and therapeutic in a new way. Since they have no predators on the island they are calm and relaxed, not jumpy or reactive at all. The riding was English style and the horses had an unusual fast gate that was much smoother than a trot.  We even crossed the river at a narrow spot for fun. 

 

 After our ride, we took our saddles off and the horses did something that I had not seen in my many years of riding.  They showed us how glad they were to be out of them.  They took a good roll in the dirt before meandering out to their field. 

 

 Our experience included dinner, and the menu included his own roasted lamb raised on the highlands roaming along with organic local grown potatoes, mushrooms and salad that they had prepared for us.  We had sheep skins to sit on as we ate in the old barn on nice china and glasses.  

Hodur discussed many topics about Icelandic farming, education and his own family as he hosted our dinner. He even suggested where we might find some trolls on the black beaches just beyond his place.   He carved our lamb, and had some helpers serve our delicious fare. 

This will be one very special memory of our time in Iceland.  If you go, I recommend that you checkout "Mr. Iceland".