One September weekend we visited my friend Tina, and 11 natural living Icelandic horses in the mountains.
I got to ride an amazingly sensitive and cooperative gelding, Sindri. I am always happy to get to know really mental healthy horses, but Sindri was a special one. Sindri had no reason not to meet me with an open heart and we quickly got a deep connection. He was such a gentleman, very polite to respect everybody’s space, and always making sure I was comfortable in every situation.
Tina is always there to look after the horses’ wellbeing when they are doing their job to bring tourist to the mountains. She is clearly in her instructions to those coming to ride with her, and is highly aware of how to interact with horses in a way that inspire them to do their job. Well trained and cooperative, there is of course no need for bits on the bridles to have a pleasant trip.
These horses are living outside on large areas always moving in a big herd, and their hooves are healthy enough so they can go on these long mountain-rides without shoes. I have ridden many shoed and barefoot horses, and always enjoy the feeling of bare hoofs in the terrain with this special flavor accuracy and balance.
You can watch more pictures from the trip on my
Flickr
Read more about Tina and Dreamvalley at:
www.dreamvalley.no
When we left the farm after the weekend, Sindri followed us to the gate and waited, and I was touched by the depth of our short meeting.
