Icelandic Horses and Their Majestic Beauty Captured up Close by pro Photographer
For many centuries, stories of Icelandic horses and their role in the legacy that the Vikings left for its people to remember have been spread around the world and recently, an Icelandic photographer has shared up-close and personal photos of the original horses that one of history's bravest people boasted of.
Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir is known all over the internet for her captivating photos and drawings. While most of her works are plastered all over Flickr, she recently shared some of the most awesome animal photographs that she took of the famous Viking horses.
Referring to the thick-coated creatures she features in the images, Guðleifsdóttir told CNN, "They're just really beautiful creatures and being around them, they are so calm and friendly.
To preserve the lineage, breeders have worked hard on keeping the breeds intact and not mixing them with any other breeds in the equine family. They are easily recognized through their thick mane and tail though they have shinier and finer coat when summer starts ringing in the air.
During winter, three unique layers of longer and thicker coats grow just in time for the frostbites to come falling on their skin. The layers help protect them from the breeze and cold that winter brings.
Ever since the 10th century, a law has been imposed aiming to protect the breed of the majestic horses as many people have attempted the crossbreed the famed horses. For over 1,000 years, the Icelandic horse has been bred purely with its own and if ever one leaves the country, it can never step back on the chilly region.
"They're definitely a huge sense of pride for Iceland. They're a really big part of Icelandic culture and Icelandic life as they've been around for a thousand years or more," Guðleifsdóttir explained.
The 37-year-old photographer also said taking snaps of the horses don't come easy as she prefers taking shots of those who are at the perfect location and at the right time. Since most of Iceland has not been urbanized, she's taking the opportunity to capture the moment of glory that the Vikings' original horses have.
