Behind the Scenes at Eldhestar

There's a moment, right before you meet the horses, when Iceland goes very quiet. The wind drops, the barn doors open, and you realize you're about to spend time with animals that have been shaping this country's story for more than a thousand years. I wanted to take you behind the scenes at Eldhestar so you could feel a little of that too.

Who are Eldhestar?

Eldhestar — the name means "fire horses," or "volcano horses" — has been running riding tours since 1986. The farm sits in Iceland's south-western countryside, only about a half-hour's drive from Reykjavík, tucked near the Hengill volcano with its steaming valleys, hot springs, and lava fields. In summer there can be as many as 350 horses on the property, so there's always one to suit whoever's climbing into the saddle — whether that's a first-timer or someone who has ridden their whole life.

What struck me most is how much care happens before a single guest arrives. The staff know these horses by name and temperament, they match each rider to the right animal, and the whole operation is built around ecotourism — protecting the land and the herd rather than just moving people through it. That's the kind of thing you don't see from the outside, which is exactly why I loved getting to peek behind the curtain.

About that Icelandic horse

If you've never met one, the Icelandic horse is its own small marvel. They're sturdy and surprisingly gentle, bred in isolation for centuries, and they have an extra gear the rest of the horse world doesn't: a smooth, gliding gait called the tölt that feels less like bouncing and more like floating. Watching them move across the meadows, it's easy to understand why they're woven so deeply into Icelandic culture.

Come along for the ride

Press play above and spend a few minutes behind the scenes with me at Eldhestar. And if it stirs something in you — that little "I want to do that" feeling — tuck it away for your own Iceland trek. Some of the best memories out here are the ones you make on horseback.