Horse herd outside of Thormork in Southern Iceland
Horses, the other animal in Iceland
Just as sheep dot the landscape (https://www.greginda.com/calendars/sheepoficeland), so do Icelandic horses. A genetically distinct breed, Icelandic horses were developed from ponies brought to Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries. But calling them ponies now is a major faux pas. Icelandic horses have 2 gaits in addition to the walk, trot, and canter/gallop that most breeds develop.
From Wikipedia: "The first additional gait is a four-beat lateral ambling gait known as the tölt. This is known for its explosive acceleration and speed; it is also comfortable and ground-covering... ...The breed also performs a pace called a skeið, flugskeið or "flying pace". It is used in pacing races, and is fast and smooth, with some horses able to reach up to 30 miles per hour."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_horse
Icelandic horses are the only horses allowed in Iceland, and if an Icelandic horse is ever exported or taken someplace else, it can never return. This is on account of not wanting to introduce any diseases into the population.
The most striking thing to me were the amazing hairdos the horses had. So boyband. So middle school. Unkempt bangs. The horses also had so much personality. Very playful and interactive.
Lindsey and I had the opportunity to ride a bit and it's a memory I'll always treasure.