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Katie Zaslaw
★★★★★
2 weeks ago
This was the highlight of our trip. We have recommended this to everyone who has a trip planned to Iceland! We ended up being the only ones on our ride which was amazing. Mr. Iceland makes sure that time is spent to become comfortable with … More the horse you are riding and everything about this experience felt so special. I wish we had time to do some of the other rides. Riding with Mr. Iceland is the #1 thing you cannot miss when you visit! Highly recommend and we cannot wait to come back!
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Jodie Frew
★★★★★
a month ago
A MUST…..!!!! We spent 9 days in Iceland and booked many activities, Mr Iceland was by far the most soul moving experience on this trip - the Icelandic horses are so beautiful and are treated very well this was a priority for our family … More as we are horse people. From the moment you arrive you know you are in for a unique experience as the group is limited to 8, we set out on our ride after solid preparation- the sky was clear the sun was shining bright on a cool autumn afternoon. We returned to a delicious dinner of locally raised lamb and seasonal vegetables, we made new connections and then retired to one of the beautiful cottages on sunset. Next time we will stay for 2 night and do the black beach ride in the morning, unfortunately we didn’t have time to do it this trip. Mr Iceland, you have built a magnificent down to earth environment by being yourself - I will be back for one of your health | yoga | horse retreats 🙏
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Paula McNulty
★★★★★
a month ago
I honestly don't even know where to begin with our review, as it was the MOST AMAZING part of our time in Iceland! Our only regret? That we didn't plan on 2 nights on the farm, and an additional ride.
From the moment our experience … More began, we were in awe.
Hodur takes time to share a little history of the Icelandic horses, before matching the rider with a horse best suited for their experience and temperment.
Rider and horse get to know one another in a stall, I know I thoroughly enjoyed brushing out my beauty.
Then, it is time to take to the indoor ring and take a few laps. Riding an Icelandic horse is unlike any other style of riding. The saddles are neither Western nor English, and allow for closer contact with the horse.
After everyone in the group is comfortable with their horse, and Hodur is comfortable with the group, you head out.
The ride is spectacular, Iceland is beautiful, and we were taken aback by the majesty of our surroundings, never wanting the ride to end.
After the ride, we enjoyed what was unequivocally, THE BEST meal we had in Iceland! Hodur's hospitality was as warm as the cozy room where we all settled to eat. The lamb was perfectly cooked, the salad crisp and perfectly seasoned, and the veggies grown on the farm were delicious!
After we ate, we said our goodbyes, and were admittedly a bit sad that this amazing day was coming to an end, and it was off to our cabin.
Again, one of the best accommodations we had during our trip in Iceland! The bed was super comfy, the views to the west provided us with a glorious sunset. The bathroom was well appointed, nicely tiled, with great towels. There was a sofa, a couple of lounge chairs, a kitchen table with chairs, and a kitchenette that had everything you could possibly need, (sigh....if only we were staying another night...). There were plenty of outlets so we could charge our phone, and great wifi so that when the sun went down we easily connected to stream.
I cannot reccommend enough Mr Iceland, the horses, the cooking, the hospitality and the lodging.
Our only regret? We were in fact so into the whole experience we took NO pics on the horses!!
We hope to one day return to Iceland and visit again!
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Tina Kyllonen
★★★★★
a month ago
Mr. Iceland was an excellent host. He was very patient as he talked about his horses and what we should and should not do. The ride was fun, going across a creek. The meal with him was DELICIOUS and he was a gracious host. We really enjoyed … More our time with him. We stayed at one of his cabins as well--excellent!
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Gloria Ripamonti
★★★★★
2 months ago
I recently had the pleasure of being a guest of Mister Iceland, the man behind one of the most captivating horse stables in Iceland, and I must say that the experience was simply unforgettable.
The horseback ride I booked turned out to … More be a true immersion in Iceland's wild beauty. Crossing breathtaking landscapes was a moment that will stay etched in my memory forever.
The lessons provided by Mister Iceland were a true treasure trove of wisdom and passion for these magnificent animals. His in-depth knowledge and the love he exudes for horses made the educational aspect of the experience equally thrilling.
The dinner with my friends and Mister Iceland was a culinary and spiritual experience. The conversation with Mister Iceland was enlightening and inspiring.
Staying overnight in the farm's cottages was a dream come true. The interiors were tastefully decorated, offering comfort and a welcoming atmosphere that made our stay even more special.
But the real magic was waking up in the morning to see the horses grazing outside the window. This breathtaking sight was an indelible memory.
Ultimately, the experience with Mister Iceland was much more than just a horseback ride. It was an emotional and spiritual journey that made me feel deeply connected to nature and these magnificent animals. I highly recommend anyone seeking an authentic and transformative experience to pay a visit to Mister Iceland and his incredible horses.
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Travis Grodkiewicz
★★★★★
3 months ago
We had a fantastic time with Mr. Iceland. We went on an afternoon ride and then had an amazing dinner of local (and home grown) fare prepared by Mr. Iceland himself. We spent the night in one of the cabins on site which look out onto … More beautiful pastures of Icelandic horses. The cabins are spacious, recently built, well equipped, and very comfortable. The following morning, we went on the black sand beach ride which is a once in a lifetime experience. Our time spent here was unforgettable and Mr. Iceland is just an amazing individual. He strives to farm locally and ethically, and he was always making sure we were comfortable and having a great time while he gave us a peak into his farm and life.
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Cassandra
★★★★★
3 months ago
An incredible experience with wonderful people. Words cannot describe the joy this experience brought me! Mister Iceland introduced me to the wonders of the Icelandic horses, providing guidance before and during the ride. His knowledge … More of the land and the horses is unparalleled, and I enjoyed our easy conversations. The views of the black sand beaches were breathtaking and it will be a memory for a lifetime. I also had the unique opportunity to get to the know the four staff persons - all very kind and friendly. If you’re in Iceland - don’t miss this experience!
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Maggie Marinaccio
★★★★★
3 months ago
We had a blast with Mr Iceland tours. For the very experienced rider I highly recommend doing the ride where you run with the herd. It’s one of those bucket list musts! If you ride a lot, have your own horses, and do lots of riding most … More riding tours or trips will not be all that exciting. This is not that. It’s fantastic, what a thrill. The horses are quick, incredibly sure footed, well mannered and fit making them a joy to ride. Running with the herd though rivers ( they just leap in the water with out a second thought) on beaches, and Icelandic country dirt lanes, we giggled for 3 hours straight. We followed the horses to their stables where we ended the ride. Rosy cheeked, and muddy we had hot Icelandic stew waiting for us. Next time we will stay the night and do more than one ride. We toured the new cabins on the farm that overlook the paddocks where horses are so close they are peering in the windows, Heklas in the background. They are fresh, modern, and cozy. Thank you, Mr Iceland for a fantastic time.
See you again.
Maggie and Jason
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Brittany Bartilson
★★★★★
3 months ago
This entire experience was incredible. Hörður was wonderful and really took care to ensure you were in touch with the horse and prepared to ride before he took my group on a stunning ride. Dinner afterwards was like having dinner with a … More friend you hadn’t known you had. The horses were loved and well cared for and the scenery was stunning. Definitely a must do tour if you are visiting this part of Iceland. Would ABSOLUTELY recommend.
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Stuart Florence
★★★★★
3 months ago
We came from South Africa to explore Iceland and fulfil the dream to ride the beautiful Icelandic horses. We saw this as the perfect way to truly experience the Icelandic horses. Firstly we had a very informative and interesting lesson … More about the horses and their history and nature, we then moved on to have the incredible experience of learning the way of riding these horses in order to work with them. The lesson opens eyes to a new way of understanding and appreciating the horse. After building a connection with each of our horses through brushing and the lesson we rode out around the farm.
Dinner was delicious with high quality food in a warm and luxurious room with a stunning atmosphere.
The next morning we set off on the black beach ride after being acquainted with new horses and having time to learn to work together. The beach ride was incredible and experiencing the spectacular Tölt was a dream come true. Seeing and experiencing the beach on horseback is truly breathtaking.
Overall this way of experiencing the Icelandic horses is the most authentic and connecting way to do it. We will definitely make a plan to come back!
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Amanda Dillingham
★★★★★
4 months ago
Mr. Iceland is a truly wonderful person who helps you have an unforgettable life experience in Iceland. He is a tremendously gifted teacher. In my visit to Iceland I wanted an authentic and personal experience with Icelandic horses. From … More the beginning, it was incredible. In a small group we learned about the horses, bonded with our horse while grooming it and received personalized lessons on how to properly ride our horse. We then went for a ride and came back to an incredible dinner. I loved it so much, I came back the next day to ride on the black sand beach and have dinner again. I would absolutely recommend you visit and ride with Mr. Iceland.
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Natalia Izabela Kuraszynska
★★★★★
4 months ago
I spent the most amazing time at Hörður's farm, it was a dream coming true. I was received very warmly and felt really well taken care of. There is such a wonderful energy in this place. It was wonderful to watch Hörður working with … More his horses, with such awareness and love. And I received all this love back from those beautiful creatures. If you're searching for a place where you can ground, rest from the city noise, and connect with nature and yourself, this is the right place to spend some time.🧚♀️💚
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Joe Hyman
★★★★★
4 months ago
Three words: Spectacular, Ethical, Unforgettable. My wife and I went on a horse tour with Mr Iceland and had dinner at his farm. We were so incredibly impressed by his dedication to his horses and his guests. He provided a fantastic lesson … More for riding these horses, took the time and care to really work with you as an individual, and made sure we had a great time. You can immediately tell his horses are well maintained and treated with the highest of ethical standards. I would recommend this tour to ANYONE who really wants to experience what Iceland has to offer beyond a crowded parking lot by a waterfall. BONUS - hes a great cook.
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L B
★★★★★
5 months ago
One word - Masterclass. This is a masterclass experience. What Mr. Iceland has created is something very rare and special. You are not just another tourist riding with a summer intern. You are a valued individual riding with a Master horseman! … More He gives you his time, attention, positive energy, and words of wisdom.
I booked a last minute ticket to Iceland and was one of the first few to stay in one of his new cozy cabins, next to the horses. It was beautifully decorated with lots of natural light and a back window door opening to the horse pasture. Everything you need is there to cook your own meals and rest and relax. It was wonderful!
Mr. Iceland loves what he does and it shows in the twinkle in his eyes. The vision of what he has created on this farm is amazing - from breeding the horses to planting thousands of trees and his very own carrots and garlic. And the beauty of it is you get to experience it on his 4,000 acres of pristine land dotted with wild cotton, whale bones, and a gorgeous black sand beach! Approaching the beach on horse and looking around and realizing there was not another person or car for miles - that this paradise was being experienced in pure solitude - was a sacred moment. In fact the whole experience was very healing. Mr. Iceland has a calm and accepting energy. He reads horses and he can read people and you will come away from this experience with an elevated perspective on life and yourself.
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Jenna & Jenree Collection
★★★★★
5 months ago
We absolutely loved our time horseback riding with Hordur at Mr. Iceland! This is a must-do if you are in Southern Iceland. When we first arrived, we were lead to the stable to say hello to all the horses. Then, we were assigned a horse, … More and we spent quality time with our horse to brush it, and talk to it. Next, we had a horseback riding lesson. This made a BIG difference! We loved Mr. Iceland's approach to being extremely kind, loving, and calm to the horses, then the horses will respond gently to your energy. We went on the trail ride after that. The ride featured gorgeous views of the mountains, glaciers, lupine, and rivers. It was fun to cross the river on horseback. Lastly, we had dinner. It was delicious. Hordur (Mr. Iceland) is so caring and a wonderful person to talk to!
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Mari Heininen-Brown
★★★★★
5 months ago
If you can do only one thing in Iceland, it should be visiting the Mr. Iceland horse farm in Efri-Úlfsstaðir. The love and respect Hörður has for his land, heritage and most of all horses is evident. You will learn so much about life in … More Iceland and the Icelandic horses.
The horse riding experience through the countryside is an absolute bucket list item. Iceland's biggest (and baddest) volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull on one side, and the green farmland on the other, will create an magical surrounding. Hörður will pair you with a horse that matches and compliments your personality and skill level, and gives you a comprehensive riding lesson on how to properly handle your horse before you are out in the wild nature. Absolutely nothing beats the feeling of riding (tölting) on ancient Viking paths, with the trusty companion Delta the farm dog running along your side.
We were also lucky to sit down with Hörður to have a dinner with him. The ingredients for the delicious lamb dinner come either from his own farm or from the neighboring farms. The conversations we had were heartfelt and funny, and we felt right at home.
We also chose to stay the night at the farm in Southern Iceland's oldest stone house, Jakob's old farm house. The house is absolutely charming, you are surrounded by horses and have uninterrupted peace looking at the mountains. We had the best night of sleep here. Hörður is building four new luxury cabins on the property so even more people can experience the stay at an Icelandic farm. I would highly recommend that you include the stay to your experience and have coffee with the horses in the morning.
We will definitely come back here next year and do the morning ride on the Black Beach. Therefore, the strongest recommendation for this place and the overall experience.
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J Horton
★★★★★
6 months ago
We rode Icelandic horses! Many thanks for the thoughtful, intuitive riding instruction of Mr. Iceland! When you visit Iceland you *must* go see him, connect with the horses, and have dinner. He's a gracious host who is deeply connected … More to his culture, community, and personal purpose. He is also a great cook!
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Rán Bjargardóttir
★★★★★
6 months ago
I went on the tour *Riding with the herd* with my friend and it was absolutely amazing! The staff members were very welcoming and nice and made us feel very comfortable and safe. They asked us questions to determine what kind of experience … More we had and that was very reassuring. I highly recommend this unforgettable ride with Mr. Iceland and their horses. It's a truly magnificent experience riding with a herd of horses in the stunning nature of Iceland. It's also at a very reasonable price and worth every penny.
Thank you so much for having us! I will never forget this! And I will definitely be riding with you again
All the best
Rán