Icelandic Horse, a photo from Rangarvallasysla, Sudurland

Photographer's Note

Day 7 : H鏊askj鏊 - Landmannahellir

Icelandic Horse (also called Icelandic Pony) is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. It is a descendant of horses brought by Viking settlets in 10th century. There was no crossbreeding with other breeds from that time. It is very resistant to hard weather conditions and needs very poor food so it is very well adapted to Iceland. It was used for a long time for farm works. Today it is mostly used for leisure because of its skill on hard grounds and its sense of locality. But some farmers still use them to bring back sheeps in Iceland Highlands.

About the picture ... I took this picture from the same place as the two previous ones I posted, along the F208 track road near Landmannalaugar. As we were shooting the wonderful landscape there, I saw a cloud of dust going down from the mountains behind us. Actually it was a group of tens of icelandic horses ! Some of them carried riders, other were "naked" such as this one. I heard later that horseback riding is very popular in Landmannalaugar area and these groups have many horses for every rider. It was an instant of pure beauty anyway !

timecapturer, jhm, saxo042, Joevic, Cricri, No_One has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

timecapturer (49288) 2012-12-30 3:24

Hi Olivier
a great shot this. Real sense of movement and graceful beauty. Executed perfectly and a compelling presentation. Elegant imagery!

Enjoy the weekend - Brian.

jhm (211736) 2012-12-30 3:44

Hello Olivier,

I like Icelandic Horses, I am born on a farm with horses long time ago, but I like horses certainly this type in free nature.
A lovely perspective and depth image.
Excellent composition, nice presentation, TFS.

Pleasant 2013 and a lot nice pictures,
John

Royaldevon (85932) 2012-12-30 3:50

Hello Olivier,

A very well composed photograph, with an excellent subject matter and a wonderful sense of freedom and movement; the wind is lifting the mane and tail, the alternate legs are lifted, the head is thrust purposely forward and there is plentyof space into which the horse can gallop. Excellent.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

JanH (864) 2012-12-30 5:22

Hello Olivier,
Well composed image with beautiful natural light and saturated colors.
Good sense of movement due to the left and right leg and the hair of the horse. I like the color contrast between animal and surroundings.

Greetings, Jan

saxo042 (38078) 2012-12-30 7:48

Hi Olivier,
This is a very fine picture! The horse is well placed in the picture. he has enough space ahead of him to which he can move. There is a great speed in this capture. The background slope also provide a faint, but attractive, diagonal pattern.
Happy New Year
Gunnar

Zucca (8) 2012-12-30 13:00

Bonsoir Olivier,

Ta note est passionnante et bien r嶮ig嶪 ! Lors de ton prochain s嶴our en Islande (que tu dois attendre avec impatience, vu l'enthousiasme qui transpara褾 dans tes commentaires !), tu pourrais donc tenter des escapades � cheval... Ta photo, � l'image de l'animal, est superbe, tr鋊 nette et po彋ique.

Bonne soir嶪 !

Sylvain

jjcordier (79299) 2012-12-30 22:51

Olivier
Crini鋨e au vent, ce petit cheval islandais est superbe dans son bel environnement naturel.
Amicalement
JJ

Herquin (7789) 2012-12-31 3:16

Bonjour Olivier,

bonne et heureuse ann嶪 2013.

Christian .

Nicou (193806) 2012-12-31 21:59

Hello

Merveilleuse image de ce cheval blanc en plein course en libert� dans un superbe d嶰or naturel, splendide.
BONNE ANNEE 2013, TOUS MES V𪄇X DE BONHEUR

Cricri (176) 2013-01-02 9:40

Bonjour Olivier
Jolie prise du cheval sa crini鋨e blonde au vent, dans un environnement naturel, je trouve ces chevaux tr鋊 beaux un peu comme les cheval blanc en Camargue
Belle soir嶪
cricri

No_One (4) 2013-01-05 8:39

Hi Olivier,
A very happy new year to you and yours too!

There is something about a horse in gallop that just exudes energy, and you have captured that perfectly here. A very majestic animal, and from your note, a very hardy animal too. The landscape around it reflects how strong it must be to survive here!
All the best
NOel