The Robust and resilient Icelandic horses
Two of the best horses I’ve met. Not that I’ve met many, but these were super nice and friendly. I met them close to the canyon that’s on the shift of the two tectonic plates that Iceland sits on, which are moving further away from each other. The horses are Icelandic horses and they’re small, but they are built to endure that kind of weather. Yes, that’s a reference to First Aid Kit which I also say to, and about, myself when I think about the fact that I live in a place that has winter almost 8 months of the year. I thought to myself this morning that this winter must be the longest and snowiest winter in a long time. We have so much snow up here in the north of Sweden and there’s probably more to come these next days. But of course, there are so many perks with that, it’s beautiful and the skiing season is in full swing with snow that will last for at least one more month. Probably more. Skiing in the north of Sweden in spring winter, when the light has returned and we have more than 12 hours of daylight is the best. You get a tan too since the snow reflects the sun. So now we have long and quite warm days, with cold nights and temperatures down to -23 degrees celsius as it was tonight, but nice sunny days when you feel the warmth of the sun. This is one of the best times to visit the north of Sweden, or Norrbotten as it is called, which sits just above and below the arctic circle.
But, that’s not what I was going to write about. I wanted to talk a little bit of these nice horses, which I met during a bus trip in Iceland when it was at least -20 degrees and windy. But these horses were just fine with it. They didn’t seem to mind at all. The Icelandic horse is so small that many people mistake them for ponies, which they’re definitely not. They are just built for the climate. It was one of the highlights of my Golden Circle bus tour in Iceland that was finished with a dip in the thermal bath of Blue Lagoon. And, I will post more about my trip to Iceland.
This is one of the occasions that I regret not pulling my camera out of my backpack. I didn’t expect the horses to be so friendly and photogenic. I just pulled out my phone and kept snapping away. “Maybe I should take my camera out” I kept thinking to myself but then thought they would run away if I did that. But, it turned out to be a good thing too since I’ve submitted the photo to the iPhone Photography Awards. I don’t think I’ve got a chance of winning or so since my photo is quite similar to the one they’re using as a cover photo to the awards, but their horse is a big one. It’s just that I like this photo a lot and sometimes that’s what I think you should do in photo contests, submit the photo you like the most regardless of what the trends are or who the judges of the contests are. There’s a very small chance of winning anyway but, as I stated earlier, you get at chance to look through your photos, maybe you notice a trend in your photography or a change in style, but most importantly it takes you back to the moment you took that photo. And maybe I was more present in the moment using my phone instead of a proper camera. I’ll give my phone credit for that.
72 responses to “They’re horses, not ponies”
love the picture… wonder if they were the type of horses they used when Game of Thrones was being filmed in Iceland?…..and yeah, 8 months…some years it seems like that here in the Canadian north….5 months of snow for sure…xc ski season..
I’m not sure if they used them in GoT, but they would surely survive the eternal winter 😉 yes, we might not have snow for eight months but this has been a cold and long winter. Like they used to be, but who knows what will happen next winter with the climate and everything else. But it’s very nice now!
I think that living in these regions must be fascinating, with a deep knowledge of both nature and its cycles and human nature. and this is something that is lacking alongside the humanity that lives in urban centers and finally disconnects from everything including themselves.
horses are special, I always imagine them to be fantastic for everything they represent and are. I’ve spent many years living with thoroughbred English racing blood, and they simply have a life far beyond what we imagine.
Your photography is wonderful and the depth is magnificent. hugs from the south of Brazil (Porto Alegre).
Thank you 🙏 I read somewhere that the person who wrote the comment didn’t know what the horses were thinking about and had a hard time connecting to the horse. But, these horses I had an immediate connection with and shared some nice moments with. And for me, it helps a lot during the winter that my family has lived in these parts of Sweden for more than 500 years, it’s sort of rooted in me what to do during the winter and how to enjoy it too. That might be one of the reasons I had a hard time living in a city, especially in December when all I wanted to do was sleep. Which is a thing you traditionally did before electricity was invented and people started to do office work. So my genes from the forests of the north are very dominant 😉
Aren’t “teutonic plates” in Germany, not in Iceland? 😉🙂
Ooops, a typo 😉 thanks, I’ll change that to … tectonic … 😹
Beautiful photo!!! How cool that you got to see these horses!!! I have been a life-long equestrian — when I was a younger person, I rode horses and had three at my horse farm. I then started adding Miniature horses (and a Miniature donkey!) to our farm — I now have 4 Mini horses and 1 Mini donkey. Miniature horses are also often mistaken for ponies — but, they’re, technically speaking, not ponies. They are literally horses, just in Miniature size — though, admittedly, over the years, some Miniature horse breeders have incorporated Shetland ponies into their breeding programs, tho my Minis don’t have a Shetland heritage. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photography and stories with us! 🐴🥰
Thank you 🙏 not only did I get to see them, I got to pat them and give them some grass too, which was on the other side of the fence 🐴, which might be the explanation as to why they were super friendly. When growing up, I wished that there were some horses around but instead I had to take care of our neighbours cows. Was nice too! It’s good to be around animals.
Hi! Thanks so much for your reply — I know what you mean about how it’s so good to be around animals! I totally agree! So happy you were able to visit with the horses and treat them to some grass! 🐴🤗
So am I 🙂
They’re beautiful! God luck in the contest 😊 Maggie
Thank you 🙏 and, indeed they are!
Oops, good luck 🙂 missed an o
🙏 Thanks! The most important thing was that I got to relive that moment with the horses in Iceland. They are sooo special.
They are beautiful no matter what device you used to photograph them. I would vote for you if I were a judge!
Thanks! Wish you could get to vote 😉
lovely pictures
Thanks!
The horses look meditative
I know! They do. And a sort of healing meeting when saying ‘hello’ to them and giving them food 🐴
How nice. I love animals but am not familiar with horses.
Love animals too! And I’m not familiar with horses at all. This was one of my first meetings with horses 🙏
Such gorgeous creatures — thank you for sharing them! I can’t fathom winters that long — but at least you’ve got sunshine!
I know, it sounds very very long. But mornings like the one today completely makes up for it. -15 Celsius and clear skies, beautiful sunrise and lots of white snow. And the air quality is something else too. Then there’s the midnight sun too, and during the summer months, since the sun never sets we can grow tomatoes, broccoli and the regular stuff since they get sunlight for 24 hours. So, the winters are long but there’s lots of beauty and other benefits around. Well, I’m made for this kind of weather so 😉
They are so beautiful!!!
Yes, they are 🙂 and so incredibly nice 😄
[YOU]: “They are just built for the climate. It was one of the highlights of my Golden Circle bus tour in Iceland that was finished with a dip in the thermal bath of Blue Lagoon. And, I will post more about my trip to Iceland.”
[ME]: Lovely to hear about the horses and about the thermal bath of Blue Lagoon 👍✌️😆. Not knowing any better, one could say that they are like a “cross” between horse and pony but it definitely could be the climate that has alot to do with those horses being the size that they are, not to mention that they also seem to have a little more fur on them 😃😃.
[YOU]: ““Maybe I should take my camera out” I kept thinking to myself but then thought they would run away if I did that. But, it turned out to be a good thing too since I’ve submitted the photo to the iPhone Photography Awards.”
[ME]: Hahaha, they have not ran away from the frosty cold so they definitely will not run from a beautiful girl with a phone, unless you attempt to take a ride 🤣😂😁. I am glad that you were able to take the photos of such awesome blessings of nature. This is probably a situation where you were in the right place at the right time and the horses were calm 💯🙌😂😂.
[YOU]: “. I don’t think I’ve got a chance of winning or so since my photo is quite similar to the one they’re using as a cover photo to the awards, but their horse is a big one. It’s just that I like this photo a lot and sometimes that’s what I think you should do in photo contests, submit the photo you like the most regardless of what the trends are or who the judges of the contests are”
[ME]: It would be so cool if you do win; you never know but what you said is very true, as long as there is no set criteria or theme, then it’s always a good idea to submit what you think is the best choice in your view that will really capture people’s interest. I think it’s intriguing that one of the cover photos of the contest is also horse 🐎🐴🤔😆. But it’s super! that you submitted one of the coolest things from your Golden Circle Iceland tour 💙👏☺️.
Oh, but they are horses! It’s quite insulting, to them, to call them ponies. They’re just made for the climate they’re living in 😉 Well, they didn’t run away while I was using my phone. I was thinking about bringing out my real camera from my bag. Because, as I wrote earlier, a phone is not a camera. At least not yet. It would be great if I had a chance of winning any kind of competition. But I take so many photos, both with my phone and with the proper camera so when it comes to competitions it’s difficult to remember, and even look through, all the photos I take. But, I’m hoping for the best 🤞
“Oh, but they are horses! It’s quite insulting, to them, to call them ponies”
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😲😲 Horses that understand “english”?; We indeed must be careful with what we say — they are much more awesome than we thought 😄😃. We were worried about them running away the whole time when all we have to do is say “stop” 🤣🤣😉.
Yes, I read what you said, and it was a very good move 💙💙. All in all, thankfully you were in the right place at the right time and managed to get some of the best “shots” ever taken of these beautiful HORSES 😂 (I have to be careful and use the right english description; I don’t want to insult them since it’s bad enough that they have to deal with the cold. They don’t also need to be misidentified by a WordPress blogger 🤭😆😁)
Lets hope for the best indeed ✌️😂☺️💞
Thanks 🙏 you are so right 👍
You are welcome😄🙏. I am happy that you concur 🙌🙌🌹.
I know you are no stranger to the sea and marine life, but it’s great that you had fun with the horsies 😆😆. It was cool for me to also learn about a new type of horse lol
🙏🐴🙏
🤭🥰🥰
” You get a tan too since the snow reflects the sun”
I like how you notice these interesting things. Tanning in not exclusive to sunny beach life; there is also another way 💯😆😆
Well, it’s not like I notice the thing about you being able to get a suntan in the winter thanks to the snow now 😉 my father used to work outdoors in the forests all winter and the had a suntan on his face even in the darkest of December. But, my ability to notice, and see, things is a great asset for me as a photographer 🙂 so, thanks!
True 💯💯☺️, I didnt mean or suggest that it’s something that you recently norticed. I just meant that it was cool that you pointed out that aspect when tanning is somthing typically associated with beach life lol.
But thanks for giving me more background as to how you personally learned about this tanning sensation 👍😄😘. And you are welcome. Your vigilance is for sure a huge part of why you are so good at photography 😆😆
Yes, and in order to take good photographs you have to observe what’s going on. Notice the little things and try to figure out what’s going on. You sort of have to be an bystander and observer, in my opinion, to be able to take good photos 😉
I hope you’re having a Happy Easter ✌️💞😄🙂. From aquatic life and Horses, to Rabits and Bunnies, I know you’ve got us covered 💯😂
Thanks! I had a nice easter enjoying the spring winter up here in the north 🙂 Hope you had a great easter too!
Great, for all the hard work you do, you deserve such moments 💕💕😁😂. Thanks, my was lovely; I had a good time with my peeps 👍😄
Good to hear you had a lovely easter!
Respect✌️😍
“Yes, and in order to take good photographs you have to observe what’s going on. Notice the little things and try to figure out what’s going on. You sort of have to be an bystander and observer, in my opinion, to be able to take good photos 😉”
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Love that; point beautifully made 🙌😃💕💕. Keen awareness of your circumstances is paramount👍😆
Yes. I’m like a satellite dish sometimes, taking in everything in my environment 📡
😂🙌💯 that is a fun way of looking at it. You are like a satellite “channeling” all of the beauty around you✌️😄🌹🌹
Oh, I’m feeling everything. I’m highly sensitive too. Which is sometimes good, and sometimes really annoying to say the least. But it’s a resource used properly. That’s why I first started photography to capture emotions, I could feel them but wanted to show them on photographs too 😉 slightly pretentious I know. But to be able to show emotions on my photographs was why I got into this business. Now, of course since I’m surrounded by it, I capture nature too. Had a lovely weekend up north in Sapmi, a region that is sometimes called Swedish Lapland, where I was totally amazed by the beauty of the landscape. And there’s still lots of snow so the mountains and lakes was covered in white snow. I’ll show you, and everybody else, later ❄️
Haha, yes I do remember a while back (when I first noticed your blog 😂🥰🙌) that you mentioned that you like capturing the emotions in your photos.
I am glad you had a lovely time at Sapmi/Swedish Lapland in the north, and I will be delighted to have a view at the photos and the topic when they are available 💙💙😆
Thanks 🙏 since I’m Swedish you might have noticed that we say “Thanks” a lot. It’s like a national trait, like the British say “Please”, we say “Thanks”. Anyway, I’m looking forward to doing a post about my trip to Riksgränsen, just a few hundred meters from the border to Norway, which is a legendary ski resort known for it’s off piste skiing. You can ski downhill there until late may, sometimes June, when there’s 24 hours of daylight. It’s a magical place.
🤣🤣 speak how you feel; that’s all that matters. As an english speaker I hear and see thanks regularly as a common form of gratitude or appreciation, so seeing it from you is more likely to make me actually forget that you are Sweedish LOL.
Your adventures at Riksgränsen sounds like it was an exciting one 💯✌️😄😄. I am surprised to learn that it is a legendary ski resort and to learn about Piste Skiing and about the 24-hours of daylight it has someteism which maeks it possible to ski downhill until late may/june. It trully does sound like a Magical wonder 😲🤯💯.
P.S: I sent a previous version of this message earlier, can you delete it and only post this one?; I apologize for the error lol. I had “copied” this version to the “clipboard” but that other version sent prematurely 🤣🤣
Thank 🙏 don’t think I’ve seen a previous message. Been busy with my pattern design course so had to travel again to take part in that. One of the reasons I’ve not been able to check in here and post something new. Hopefully soon. It’s tax season too here in Sweden 🙄
I love Icelandic horses. When I first met some reindeer, I was surprised how short they were.
Love Icelandic horses, and love reindeer. And yes, they’re small, not at all like moose, but they are many since they travel in big herds of many families and usually, last years kid travels with the family after the new kid is born too. So, if they are crossing the road, you have to wait for a while. Especially if they change their mind, which they do 😉
That sounds like sheep in Scotland! I live in a rural area of north east Scotland for many years before moving to Texas. Everything is really big in Texas from mosquitoes to long horn cattle. 🤠
😁 I guess they’re sort of like the sheep. Oh, we’ve got mosquitos too! Not that big but more annoying than the reindeer tho.
🦟😊
Or, 🦟🦟🦟 🙀🙀🙀 😉
LOL!!!
“Thank 🙏 don’t think I’ve seen a previous message. Been busy with my pattern design course so had to travel again to take part in that. One of the reasons I’ve not been able to check in here and post something new. Hopefully soon. It’s tax season too here in Sweden 🙄”
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LOL
I am glad you didn’t see it — out of sight, out of mind and it worked out perfect🤣🤣
All the best to you in the pattern design course.
Oh no, taxes😅😅. Use your skills as a photographer and take pictures of gold-bars and money-bags 💰💰🪙🪙, then send them in; that should do the trick 🤔🤣✌️
I’ll try that. On the other hand, I’ve studied economics, accounting and all that so I should be able to do my taxes 😉 one time when I did that, on the last possible date, I called them three times and my last question was “what is the worst thing that will happen if I accidentally mess things up”. Got a reassuring answer that I would have the chance to correct my mistakes. So. It’s not that bad. But. Boring 🙄😹
YUP 😂🤭, the manotony and tedium the causes bordom is definitey an issue lol.
It’s excellent to see that you have credentials in those areas; they are very relevant to everyday life in most developed societies, and I am sure that this is not your first time doing these obligations, so that helps. I hope that you do get a chance to correct your mistakes because errors when it comes to taxes and whatnot can cause very annoying issues but just be careful, sweetheart, and try to do things right the first time.
Yes. I know. Economics are sort of the fundamentals of our society nowadays. And when I started studying business in high school I finally understood what advanced math is used for 😹 a revelation of sorts!
Oh, I’m always careful! Sometimes maybe too careful, I have that from my mother. But, thanks 🙏
True LOL. I never thought about that side of math much but good point; advanced math is good for when you are doing accounting, economics and statistical stuff 😃😃.
Hahaha I think your carefulness is a great trait to have ✌️😂. And you are welcome, darling ☺️🤗.
Yup! Supply and demand 😉 equations 😹
😂😁😁 indeed!
That’s what business is all about, supply and demand 📈📉 there should be an emoji where those two curves meet because that’s the spot 😉
Haha yes 💯, the sweet-spot is always somewhere in the middle where the two ends meet 😉😂
Isn’t it?!! 😄
YUP!! 😂. In some cases it’s a thing of beauty 🙏🤟💞
Sort of … 😄
Yeah, “something like that” 😆🤭
Sometimes this is a little “nervousness” and it can be “risky” but so SATISFYING when it all works out 😂
Guess it can 😉
💯😉😆🫶