Iceland horses, a photo from Reykjavik, Reykjavik

Photographer's Note

When we went by car through the white deserts of Iceland, we saw many horses. I felt pity for the animals because they were not in stables but the whole time stood just in the snow and wind. Of course, they were given food. But they are used to these conditions. They have a heavy winter coat.
The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return. The Icelandic displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The only breed of horse in Iceland, they are also popular internationally, and sizable populations exist in Europe and North America. The breed is still used for traditional sheepherding work in its native country, as well as for leisure, showing, and racing.rnrnDeveloped from ponies taken to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries, the breed is mentioned in literature and historical records throughout Icelandic history; the first reference to a named horse appears in the 12th century. Horses were venerated in Norse mythology, a custom brought to Iceland by the country's earliest settlers. Selective breeding over the centuries has developed the breed into its current form. Natural selection has also played a role, as the harsh Icelandic climate eliminated many horses through cold and starvation. (From Wikipedia)

On the map

Bigger beta picture

See also horses on the white desert
and
horses at sunrise

holmertz, fritzi007, snunney, pajaran, Royaldevon, jhm, ikeharel, macjake, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO, pierrefonds, worldcitizen, Hansaphotos, alvaraalto, alvaraalto, adramad, ChrisJ, jean113, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102700) 2019-03-20 3:28

Hello Malgo,
Three very beautiful photos (even the unsharp one), not only because of the nice animals but also thanks to the attractive scenery and fine light. It is unusual to see privately owned, basically tame animals being left in the wilderness like this in winter, but I suppose they are completely adapted to this life. Especially the main photo has a fantastic clarity and fine light.
Kind regards,
Gert

fritzi007 (14698) 2019-03-20 3:41

Hello Malgo,
super photo, a nice day....!

Wolfgang

mesutilgim (0) 2019-03-20 3:59

Hello Malgo,
Another interestin TE entry in your gallery.
Very nice warm sideligth creates a perfect 3D effect. Many interesting and usefull notes as well.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

snunney (130967) 2019-03-20 4:34

Hello Malgo,
The conditions are no doubt harsh but these are what they have been bred for. This is lovely capture benefiting much from the beautiful atmospheric light. Perfectly exposed with excellent colours and clarity. Nicely framed.

Sergiom (117241) 2019-03-20 6:00

Ciao Malgo,

Il y a un seul trou sans neige dans tout ce paysage nordique et tous les chevaux des environs se retrouvent dedans. Ils sont de toute beaut� et surtout bien 閝uip閟 contre le froid.

Amicalement

Serge

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2019-03-20 6:54

Hello Emka

A great addition to the image with the note. I never knew these magnificent animals lived so far north. Well done on the presentation.

Jimmy

Royaldevon (85932) 2019-03-20 7:06

Hello Malgo,

You have shown us the beauty of the buildings and the natural features so it is a turn for the animals that live here.
I found your accompanying notes interesting and informative.
These horses really do do look adapted to the harsh conditions and though it must be hard in winter, they do have a fair degree of freedom.
I would imagine that it is easier travelling by horse, than by car, over this terrain.
The low light ads to the appeal of the photograph.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

dta (98848) 2019-03-20 9:08

Hello MAlgo,
A charming view of this band of horses and very attractive contrast between the warm tonalities with the snowy scenery .
Regards

Tue (92360) 2019-03-20 9:30

Hello Malgo,
A great photo of this group of Icelandic horses gathered around a small snowless patch. The warm light was lovely and a great contrast to the white and blue backdrop.
Lars

Nicou (193806) 2019-03-20 10:18

Hello

dans ce mervielleux d閏or de neiges quel chevaux et vue quelle iamge avec cette montange en fond et il peuvent mange rla paille au sol quel puret� de tons sueprbe vue.
Bravo et amiti�
Nciou

jhm (211736) 2019-03-20 10:21

Hello Malgo,

Almost incredible all the horses in the snow.
But straw and hay get she as food.
Your picture is a very nice to look at.
Nice composition and lovely presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

macjake (98456) 2019-03-20 10:35

Hi Malgo
When i said Ugly architecture in Zaragoza, its a compliment :)
I enjoyed it wide range of styles, and weird/strange designs. and yes, some really are ugly haha. As for this one, its a classic Iceland photo - no matter how hard you try, its impossible NOT to capture this shot. Did you know that you can eat Icelandic Horse? It was on the menu in a few restaurants I visited in Iceland, but I couldn't order it though. Fun capture, glad you took it. Did you feed them? cheers
Craig

PaulVDV (62892) 2019-03-20 13:18

Hello Malgo,
Seeing the photos in the WS, I feel sorry for these animals. However, it looks much better on your main picture.
Maybe because we can see the warm tones of their skin in the sunlight.
I also like the overwhelming winter landscape.
Best regards, Paul

rychem (72187) 2019-03-20 21:25

Troche zaskakujacy widok, ale koniki sa piekne i chyba wyposazone przez nature w cieple futro. I stadko bardzo mile i krajobraz piekny
pozdrawiam Ryszard

COSTANTINO (116490) 2019-03-20 23:40

Hello dear Malgorzata and have a nice time
and a happy new day
original version
your useful notes described in a
perfect way this photo and I understand
why you felt pity for the animals because
they were not in stables but the whole
time in the snow
regards
costantino

jemaflor (147128) 2019-03-21 0:44

Hi Malgo,
Well photographed these Iceland horses, well with the horse in the center of the view, beautiful landscape, good light, tfs.

gervaso (28177) 2019-03-21 4:11

Hello, Malgo!

The light is fantastic here, giving beautiful warm colors to the horses, making them stand out beautifully in the snow! The view has also very good depth! Wonderful composition! Well done!

pierrefonds (114448) 2019-03-21 4:46

Hi Malgo,

The wideness of the area is creating depth. The point of view is showing the details of the horses. The light is bringing out the beauty of the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

worldcitizen (16072) 2019-03-21 11:12

Hello Malgo,
Icelandic horses are always beautiful to see. I'm sure that with such a thick coat, they must feel like velvet. :-) Only one of the horses is paying attention to you. I like the warm sunlight and the snowy landscape, too.

Hansaphotos (11381) 2019-03-21 13:02

Hello Malgo

Three very nice pictures of these horses and the landscape. The main photo show the beautiful animals quite close and in a nice, soft light. Wonderful snow covered landscape and beautiful surroundings. Excellent:) TFS.

Greetings, Erling

Cricri (176) 2019-03-21 22:50

Hi Malgorzata
Quel beaut� ces chevaux, la lumi鑢e leurs donne un peu de la chaleur dans cet univers super froid, heureusement qu'il en prenne bien soin !!!
Bonne journ閑
cricri

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-03-22 6:05

Hello Malgo
The Icelandic horses are famous.
We have also seen a lot during our tour and even spent a night in one of the holiday homes of a horse breeder.
Then it was not the cold but the rain that the horses had to brave.
Excellent work
Have a good weekend, groet Rob

adramad (72978) 2019-03-22 11:48

Hello Malgo.
Beautiful photo with these strong horses, prepared for the harsh conditions of the country, beautiful its picture and ideal landscape environment all snowy, on a beautiful sunny day with blue sky.
A magnificent color, which gives the image a lot of chromatic richness.
Good work. I like it.
Have a nice day. Very best regards.
Luis.

ChrisJ (171822) 2019-03-22 14:28

Hello Malgo,

Fantastic shot of the horses, with wonderful warm cold color contrasts between the rust red coats of the animals and the blue toned shadowed ice, snow, and bg sky. Tfs!

jean113 (27853) 2019-03-22 14:33

Hello Malgo, horses I did not expect to see!
They must be very tough to live here.
All three shots give a good report of the horses on the snow.

(I have just read a story about Scott and his journey to Antarctica, and foolishly he took some ponies, which of course could not possibly survive in such harsh conditions.)

Interesting notes.
Regards Jean.

carlo62 (81265) 2019-03-22 15:54

Ciao Malgo
non avevo mai sentito parlare di questa razza di cavalli, una nota interessante e tre belle foto per una condivisione curiosa ed educativa.
Buon we
Carlo

Silvio1953 (221593) 2019-03-23 5:44

Ciao cara Malgo, lovely composition with a lot of beautiful horses, wonderful natural colors, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
PS fall'11 al 17 giugno sar� in Polonia con una gita organizzata

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-03-29 5:12

Malgorzata, that horse breed should be very resistant to the cold temperatures, they were eating hay outside. What a strong and beautiful animal! Glittering snowy landscape in the bg. Excellent resolution

jmdias (115156) 2019-04-08 12:05

malgo

in fact is fantastic these animals face the winter in that zone and be alive outside. nice as each breed of horse was modified according with the environments of the world. brazil has some types created here.

take care

jorge

mcmtanyel (68503) 2019-04-09 19:35

Hello Malgo,
With all that long hair, they look like they are ready for the cold.
Regards,
MT