Private Icelandic Horseback Ride: Matched To Skill Level

I booked a private 2 hour tour in the morning and the Viking 3 hour tour in the afternoon. Pickup from Reykjavik was on time and the bus was clean and comfortable. The journey to the stables took only 20 minutes. The visitor centre was spacious and comfortable with tea and coffee, and plenty of seating. After a safety briefing, we were kitted out with hats boots and waterproofs as needed. For my first ride I was paired with Blesa, a pretty chestnut mare with the typical glamorous mane. I was guided by Hùgrun who was wonderful, chatty and informative. She was so enthusiastic about the horses, and explained a lot about the history and geology of the landscape as we rode through it. I experienced my very first Tölt, a super smooth running pace. We had plenty of longer sections of tölt and canter, at faster paces. After a delicious private lunch of lamb soup and crusty bread in the conservatory, it was time for the second ride. Myself and another lovely lady of similar riding experience were led out by Sonja, and I had another gorgeous horse called Trapp. Again, the pace was brisk, with long sections of tölt and canter. The horses were fit and enthusiastic. We had a couple of stops to let the horses rest, which gave fantastic opportunity for photos. Sonja was also hugely enthusiastic about the wonderful horses and the very ethical ways they are cared for in Iceland. Both guides took loads of pictures, and even video on fast sections! The highlight of my Icelandic holiday, and that is really saying something, on the incredible island.

Perfect!!! Personalized private experience!! Wonderful!!! Welcoming!! So special and delightful!’n worth every krona or penny!!

We booked at the last minute when another tour fell through. Ishestar was very accommodating and arranged a private tour for us. Our guide was great! We experienced four different gaits and saw some enchanting scenery. What a memorable tour!

We did a private 2 hour ride with a guide for 2 of us and had the best experience ever and we’ve done a lot of riding around the world. The Icelandic horses were beautiful in nature and appearance and were clearly well looked after and are my favourite type of horse to ride. We got to tölt, canter and full gallop most of the way and had the most fun ever in beautiful scenery. Learnt a lot from our guide about the horses. Can’t recommend highly enough.

The guide was friendly and talked to me like a person. She did not treat me like that " guide" thing where they treat customers like dumb dumbs. We had a great ride and she acknowledged I had experince but not recent and helped me work out a comfortable seat. We went through gates at my speed. The horses are wonderful. Their disposition is sweet.Is there some of that "planned ride" feel. Sure. The horses know where they are and the routine, but be realistic. The group is safe. The hospitality is warm. The horses love the biscuits. Have fun and ride. You are traveling lava fields on a historic breed of horse.

We did horses and waffles with our 10 and 12 year old daughters. Our 10yo didn’t have a great experience horseback riding last time and was terrified. The guide talked her through everything and kept the conversations going and our daughter ended up having a great time! Her horse was such a lover and kept giving us nuzzles. Although the ride was only an hour, the moss covered lava fields provided amazing scenery

We went with a group of ten friends and I can't recommend ISHESTAR more highly. In a five day tour, we rode two horses a day, and every single horse was well behaved and well trained. We were all intermediate or better riders. The guides were thoughtful in their selection of the horses for us and really diligent in the safety of the horses and us as we rode throughout the day. It was a forward ride but we were all excited and happy for it. If you're doing a longer tour, you need to be fit and ride experienced. I loved the home we stayed in and the home cooking that we were served. We were never hungry, and had all that we needed. You just need to be clear in what dietary restrictions you might have and ensure that they were passed on. And we're super happy to come home to coffee and cake at the end of each ride. This is not a luxury, pampering ride. It's rustic, forward and friendly ride, and you need to be an experienced rider for the longer trips. I can't reiterate how amazing both the horses and staff were. All the staff were friendly and helpful and professional. I can't wait to do it again.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND! What an incredible way to experience the amazing Icelandic Horses! Our riding guide, Hugrún, gave my 14yo daughter and I THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER riding together. Not only did we ride through gorgeous landscapes, but we were truly able to customize our riding preferences and try out the varied gaits. We loved riding at a quicker gait than group rides allow and gaining a better understanding of these beautiful creatures. Hugrún's attentiveness and kindness toward us and our horses throughout our ride made it clear that she is passionate about her profession. We are forever grateful for this memorable experience and are planning to return for more adventures with Ishestar (and hopefully Hugrún) in the future!

I had the most amazing time on my ride, matched perfectly with the gorgeous Sygni, accompanied by the really lovely guide, whose name I think was Maria. For many years I’ve wanted to ride an Icelandic horse, and if possible to tolt. Thank you Maria for helping me get the technique, and Sygni for tolerating my attempt (after many years of riding ‘English’!) and for even giving me a little experience of flying pace! 😄 I told Maria I would remember Sygni always, but also herself, and I know I meant it and will always treasure that day! In addition, the horses were beautifully and professionally cared for, everyone was friendly and helpful, and everywhere was tidy and clean. Great riding through lava fields surrounded by mountains and flowers, on a beautiful day. A million thanks.

We had an exceptional two hour ride! We asked for a private ride, there were three of us two with extensive riding experience and one beginner. our guide who was Finnish unfortunately I can’t remember her name😬 was excellent, she informed us all about the horses, about the landscape about various plants, about history of Iceland volcano eruptions. The scenery was gorgeous. The horses were well behaved and the horse facility was well kept, clean and welcoming. I highly recommend treating yourself to an Iceland horse ride at.Ishaster😀🐴

My son was too young to do the trail rides, so we booked a stable visit. They were accommodating with our time restrictions, and were so friendly and knowledgeable. the horses are so sweet and calm, overall it was a very lovely experience and i highly recommend them!

Private hour was great! I got to experience flying gate for the first time! The private hour was perfectly tailored to my skill level and felt professional and safe. They really do care about their horses even though they have somewhere around 200 of them :D. Highly recommend!

From pick up to drop off was wonderful! Our guide was super sweet and informative about Iceland and the horses!!! She allowed our riding experience to set the pace and taught us a little more!! The horses were beautiful and well tempered! Would recommend to all we know!!

Our experience was absolutely amazing from the start till the end. We where filming for a reality TV and had a private tour and everybody was so lovely and professional. We got great horses which fitted well for each and one of us and the staff was amazing. Highly reccomend! 👌❤️

Very helpful and professional. I learnt a lot about the Iceland horse and my guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended

Our son and daughter 21 and 22 went on this 2 hour tour. Neither had ridden a horse before. The team were really knowledgeable friendly and encouraging and made the whole experience really enjoyable. Warm drinks are offered on arrival and after the tour. Fill equipment available in the price. Fantastic views.

Pleasant ride with tölt several times, which was what I wanted to experience Everyone who works on-site is very friendly while being very professional. In particular Mailys at the reception. She took the time to answer my numerous emails and questions before my visit, and the welcome on-site was perfect, just like her explanations and answers after the short film and before the ride In addition, she speaks perfect English but also French, which is very appreciated. The horse riding guide and the driver were also very good. 1000 thanks to the three of them for everything