Icelandic horse farming draws admiration for approach to animal welfare
Social media post about Iceland's semi-wild horse herds sparks conversation comparing the country's practices to U.S. wild horse management.
What to know
- Iceland's horse herds are privately owned livestock released to graze naturally in the highlands, not wild animals, according to the post that sparked discussion.
- Commenters contrast Iceland's approach favorably with U.S. wild horse management practices, with calls for the U.S. to adopt similar methods.
- Iceland maintains a strict biosecurity law preventing exported horses from ever returning to the country to prevent disease spread.
- Visitors and handlers praise Icelandic horses for their unique gait, sweet temperament, and the apparent freedom they experience within managed farming systems.
Iceland's managed approach to horses is superior to U.S. wild horse culling and should be emulated.
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“This is so opposite of the U S that are killing wild horses. It's a beautiful thing to see. Come on U S be more like Iceland.”
fedup90611.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Icelandic horses are beautiful and have distinctive characteristics worthy of appreciation.
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“Those horses are sublime ❣️ Everything you want in a horse in a small package”
ezeneezer.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Iceland is an exceptional travel destination with beautiful people and landscapes.
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“We went to Iceland this year to celebrate our children graduating college. It was a once in a lifetime adventure. I could not recommend a visit to that gorgeous island and those beautiful people.”
roadfarmer.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Luca Galletti Social media content creator
How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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Commenters reflect on visit experiences and note ownership markers
Additional responses describe Iceland as a travel destination and note visual signs of horse ownership such as horseshoes, reinforcing the post's point that the horses are managed livestock rather than truly wild.
“You can tell they are all owned by someone. They have been shoed. Wild horses don't have horseshoes.”
— antimaatheist.bsky.social -
We love Iceland too. We can’t even read our marriage certificate, because we got married in Reykjavik and it’s in Icelandic!
2 more of the top 3 · 82 posts in this stretch
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There is a town in Costa Rica called Samara. By law all animals are free, so you go to the beach and see horses and chickens and pigs just walking around. There would be soccer games going on with horses eating the grass.
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My son went for a holiday and says everyone should try and go there once.
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Commenters share details about Iceland's horse breeding restrictions and welfare practices
Responses clarify Iceland's strict biosecurity law preventing exported horses from returning, note the horses' distinctive gaits, and share observations about their temperament and care.
“Those horses are sublime ❣️ Everything you want in a horse in a small package. Fun fact - once a horse has left Iceland it can never come back.”
— ezeneezer.bsky.social -
I rode when I went there about 14 years ago. The horses have a very unique gait!! And we saw them just running free next to the road we were driving on. Iceland is beautiful and amazing!!
2 more of the top 3 · 27 posts in this stretch
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I've worked with Icelandic Horses in upstate New York. They have their way of doing things and as their doctor you better agree with them. They're lovely and a treat to ride.
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I lived in Keflavik, Iceland for five years. These horses are so sweet. ❤️🤗
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Commenters praise Iceland's horse management and contrast with U.S. practices
Social media responses highlight admiration for Iceland's approach, with one commenter explicitly comparing it to U.S. wild horse culling and requesting the U.S. adopt similar practices. Others share personal experiences with Icelandic horses and their unique gait.
“This is so opposite of the U S that are killing wild horses. It's a beautiful thing to see. Come on U S be more like Iceland.”
— fedup90611.bsky.social -
This is so opposite of the U S that are killing wild horses. It’s a beautiful thing to see. Come on U S be more like Iceland.🇮🇸
2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
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☝️☝️☝️ Beautiful #Iceland #Horses Happy Sunday!! @raywong.bsky.social @allie-froglegs.bsky.social @lyndapole.bsky.social @abbarsha.bsky.social @markrf400.bsky.social @chaserbaybe.bsky.social @docmurphydog.bsky.social @57kev.bsky.social @merlinmm.bsky.social @j1j2.bsky.social @bab102.bsky.social
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Aww so beautiful 😍 Wish I was in Iceland 🥰
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Luca Galletti posts about Icelandic horse farming practices
A social media post describes Icelandic horses as owned by farms and stables but released into the highlands to feed naturally, clarifying they are neither wild nor feral.
“Neither wild nor feral, almost all Icelandic horses are owned by farms or stables who release many of their herds into the rugged highlands to feed on rich, natural vegetation.”
— Luca Galletti -
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I love Iceland! 🇮🇸 Neither wild nor feral, almost all Icelandic horses are owned by farms or stables who release many of their herds into the rugged highlands to feed on rich, natural vegetation. #icelandichorses #icelandicfarmlife
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What people are saying 13 voices from 1 site · best of 119 · verbatim
- Sep 20
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Icelandic ponies are noted for having a very smooth trot, that is ground covering. They are very comfortable to ride for long periods of time.
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How fantastic. Lucky you. I was watching their gate. It's fascinating
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When a nation values its animal life as precious and important to their nation and the world They are important to Iceland, and the world for simply existing BEAUTIFUL! 😊💓🐺🪶😊
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TY @604-vancity.bsky.social @ltwlauren.bsky.social @pattyger.bsky.social @theoriginalpaula.bsky.social @docmurphydog.bsky.social @ninatheswede.bsky.social @misskitty.art @disappearedfromus.bsky.social @seedthevote.bsky.social @kayscott4.bsky.social
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In America, we round them up to kill them.
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🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎 The dignity of Horses never fails to inspire me to do better.
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Equine Kahu. Some humans respect nature.
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I was stationed in Iceland, not a bad assignment, the people were fantastic, weather horrible, changes quickly
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Beautiful animals. They can never leave Iceland. If taken out they cannot be returned for fear of spreading a disease. We rode some horses on out Icelandic vacation.
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❤️ Warms my heart and we need to remind each other everyday that we have good people in this world.
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Can also tell its Iceland with that amazing gait
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Those reds in the front are absolutely gorgeous! 😍
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Thanks , Luca. This is such a joyful clip to share .