Solhestar
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
404 reviews
Excellent
353
Very good
29
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
10
Julie S
2 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
Best place for a horse riding tour by the moutain. From beginner to experienced rider, they choose the horse who fits you the best and the guide is taking good care of you. Family company, with wonderfull owners. I Fully recommend it.
Written March 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith D
7 contributions
Jan 2020
My wife and I have never ridden before, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience of riding on Icelandic Horses. Apparently the Icelandic Horse differs from other horses around the world.
Our guide, Bailey, was very experienced, kind and patient and gave us good tuition and support. Our ride lasted for an hour and we trekked across the snow covered fields which surround the stables.
After the ride there was time for hot chocolate and biscuits.
A excellent experience.
Our guide, Bailey, was very experienced, kind and patient and gave us good tuition and support. Our ride lasted for an hour and we trekked across the snow covered fields which surround the stables.
After the ride there was time for hot chocolate and biscuits.
A excellent experience.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mobile22536342911
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Friends
I was an adult leader of a group of high school students on tour. We were put on horses with little instructions except “you barely need guides since the horses know what to do”. We were told to put our hands on the white stripes. My twins had no stripes on them though others had different colors. My horse kept backing off the line and pulling the reins and stopping. I asked for help since I’m no expert (as was explained prior only 2 of our group of 20 had ever rode a horse). I was scolded that I “need to keep up with the group” When I asked for help again I was told “ this is a large group, I can’t help everyone”. Then they handed me a horse whip? I said I wasn’t comfortable since I never handled one before. Half the “ride” was spent taking stationary pictures.
Written June 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edwin j
8 contributions
May 2022 • Family
What a fun experience! Our guide welcomed us promptly, reviewed instructions and matched us up perfectly based on our riding experience. She was kind and engaging throughout the ride. The paddock and pasture are in great shape and the horses are well cared for. They are gentle, full of personality and trained well. It was one of the best rides we’ve been on and hope to come back!
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen
New York City, NY168 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
My friends and I had a great experience during the one hour Icelandic horseback riding tour. We went around the mountains and saw some beautiful views. The horses were lovely and a joy to ride with. Our guide Amanda was very friendly and informative. She was able to teach us how to control the horses to ensure a smooth ride during the entire experience. The prices were average and well worth it. We didn’t book in advance so luckily they were able to accommodate my group of 5. I would definitely recommend this horseback riding experience in Iceland. You won’t get to see these beautiful horses anywhere else.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek S
168 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
We just returned from a very nice ride experience, but it was tainted at the end. The hosts were good, and they matches horses very well for our experience levels. However, about 2/3 of the way into the 3 hour tour, one of the hosts received a phone call from home base, and shortly thereafter suggested we turn around early, without providing a reason. After we returned, it turned out that a big group was coming in, and they wanted the horses. Of course, none of this was mentioned to us, and we didn't receive a discount, considering we only received a 2 hour ride rather than a 3 hour ride.
Therefore, overall - I'm afraid I'm unable to give this a higher rating; much as the ride was excellent, this sort of bait-and-switch is unacceptable, whatever the circumstances.
Therefore, overall - I'm afraid I'm unable to give this a higher rating; much as the ride was excellent, this sort of bait-and-switch is unacceptable, whatever the circumstances.
Written June 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicoletta201609
London, UK5 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Guides were very unfriendly - they didn't even asked our names - and you feel it they do the same tour all over again and they do it only for getting their day pay.
The walk is outside the city but very closed to cars and electricity poles, the scenery was very poor in comparison to the rest of Iceland.
One of the horse got injured during our walk instead to be walked home, he was ride home.
Even if they have been told that I was an experienced horse rider, I've been treated as someone never been in a horse, this was very frustrating and left me with a very bad mood.
I hate when the guides to explain to new riders out to stop to beginners they just told them to pull their reins, this shows no respect to the horses as we know how much unexperienced can just hold on the reins and hurt horses.
Overall a terrible experience that I would not recommend to anyone, it doesn't worth the money at all.
The only positive note the Icelandic horses were very beautiful and in a good heath.
The walk is outside the city but very closed to cars and electricity poles, the scenery was very poor in comparison to the rest of Iceland.
One of the horse got injured during our walk instead to be walked home, he was ride home.
Even if they have been told that I was an experienced horse rider, I've been treated as someone never been in a horse, this was very frustrating and left me with a very bad mood.
I hate when the guides to explain to new riders out to stop to beginners they just told them to pull their reins, this shows no respect to the horses as we know how much unexperienced can just hold on the reins and hurt horses.
Overall a terrible experience that I would not recommend to anyone, it doesn't worth the money at all.
The only positive note the Icelandic horses were very beautiful and in a good heath.
Written August 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan W
1 contribution
Aug 2016 • Solo
Or any other horse farm except this one. I have riden a lot (3rd place at world championships to back that up) and ridden gaited horses including icelandics a fair amount. I told them my experience level and background but stated i was there for enjoyment and wanted a nice horse with a nice tölt as riding that gait on the beach was my only reason for booking tour. We were given maybe a grand 3 to 5 minutes to try it on the beach that was it. And the horse i was given did NOT tölt. I have had no problem gettin any other icelandic horses i have ridden even ones that were very green under saddle to do this gait. The guides horse seemed to do this wonderfully and was the horse i thought i was riding as the dark bay horse i was forced to ride even in the paddock i did not feel comfortable with him and told them so. The owner picked me up as i had multiple injuries by this horse and reckless guide. She said saddle was fine and was not too loose great so why did i have to bail when the saddle started to slide down and under the horse? Horse people know that means the saddle was too loose! Non horse people even can fogure that out! It would have happe ed more frequently too had i not adjusted saddle multiple times during ride. At one point their horses took off without the guide warning me so i had to deal with settling mine down.... Only to then quickly find us lost in an open field with them no where in sight. Horse refused at every puddle putting me in the mud once. Would have been more if i was a more inexperienced rider.
Guy picks me up says he is the owner.... Really just found out he is only the stable manager. Said we would give me a refund or put me on a different ride or discuss how to make this up to me. He left before discussing it with me. Real owner who drives tbe buses (not well...bi have video that shows 5 red lights he ran- illegal in every country btw). Drives dangerously. I demanded out of the car he was driving out of reckless anger and i was not goimg to risk my life would have preferedtaxi or walkimg but he literally acted like a 3 year old- covering his ears or turning music up when i spoke to him, making threats to me, said he was owner then said he wasnt (i took screenshots of the webpage i found that finally list his name which he refused to give me and his title of owner). He had no sympathy no interest in correcting problem. Yes its a dangerous activity but they needed to file an incident report and at least twlling me where i could take a cab to an emergency hospital would have been the least they could do. Have concusion, neck pain and spasm, shoulder pain, calf pain etc still from their neglect. Next time i will only ride with ishestar as they gave me multiple wonderful riding experiences in the past. Thought itd be cool to see a new area but when the guide and the other girl on the ride with me were friends they left me and so i learned nothing about the interesting landscape around me. Also the guide kept amoking cigarettes which i am allergic to and i believe that is what has triggered this bad sinus infection and asthma flare ive been going through.
Guy picks me up says he is the owner.... Really just found out he is only the stable manager. Said we would give me a refund or put me on a different ride or discuss how to make this up to me. He left before discussing it with me. Real owner who drives tbe buses (not well...bi have video that shows 5 red lights he ran- illegal in every country btw). Drives dangerously. I demanded out of the car he was driving out of reckless anger and i was not goimg to risk my life would have preferedtaxi or walkimg but he literally acted like a 3 year old- covering his ears or turning music up when i spoke to him, making threats to me, said he was owner then said he wasnt (i took screenshots of the webpage i found that finally list his name which he refused to give me and his title of owner). He had no sympathy no interest in correcting problem. Yes its a dangerous activity but they needed to file an incident report and at least twlling me where i could take a cab to an emergency hospital would have been the least they could do. Have concusion, neck pain and spasm, shoulder pain, calf pain etc still from their neglect. Next time i will only ride with ishestar as they gave me multiple wonderful riding experiences in the past. Thought itd be cool to see a new area but when the guide and the other girl on the ride with me were friends they left me and so i learned nothing about the interesting landscape around me. Also the guide kept amoking cigarettes which i am allergic to and i believe that is what has triggered this bad sinus infection and asthma flare ive been going through.
Written August 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lydia S
25 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
I have mixed emotions about this company. I am thirteen, an intermediate rider in the US, and I went on one tour with my mom and one with my mom and dad. The first day, my mom and I did the beach ride, and it was absolutely amazing and perfect. Our tour guide was named Linnea, and she was really great and nice. The scenery was gorgeous, it was even nicer than the photos on the website, and I adored the horse I rode, named Alsaela. This tour was the highlight of my trip to Iceland, better than I ever could have imagined. The next day, my parents and I went on the three hour tour (which is actually about one hour long). Although the website specifically says under the tour description, "We ride in small groups and offer personal and friendly service" there were seventeen people in our group and pretty much all that the tour guide said was stuff like, "we're going to faster now!". The group was so large, most of us couldn't even hear what she was saying. The group broke into two parts when another tour guide joined us, fast and slow. The fast group went on a loop through the fields behind the stables and it was shaky and very, very fast. The slow group walked a bit in the back fields, then turned around and walked back the same way. So the tour was either a boring tour, or a hold-on-for-you-life tour. If I had not gone on the beach ride tour the previous day with a tour guide who actually assisted us, I would have had no idea how to tölt since the tour guides for this tour offered absolutely no help. On a side note, a little girl in another group fell off of her horse twice in a few minutes because her saddle simply slipped right off while she was going down a hill, which really scared me. I do recommend the beach ride, if you are lucky enough to end up with a combination of great weather, a great horse, and a great guide like we did, it will amazing. Overall though, this company did not exactly live up to our expectations.
Written July 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy K
Montreal, Canada1 contribution
Jul 2012 • Couples
Each time i travel, i love to discover the land by riding a horse. I think it is a different way to discover a country. Last week, i went to Solhestar and i had a bad experience. First, no one told us anything about the particularity of the horses. They just put us on a horse (didn't tell the name of the horse) and let us ride the horses for 15 minutes in a small place. Then, we walked with the horses for about 30 minutes. We were a very large group, so they decided to split the group. But even with the splitting, we did a little bit of Tolt (the way Icelandic horses run). Half of the tour was near a road and even the N1 (national road!). Considering the fact that we had drove 45 minutes from the city, i would have imagine riding the horses in the nature, but we were next to CARS.
I would not recommend this place at all. The owner was kind, the horses were ok too, but the experience was terrible. The lady in charge of my group didn't seem to enjoy her job at all...
I would not recommend this place at all. The owner was kind, the horses were ok too, but the experience was terrible. The lady in charge of my group didn't seem to enjoy her job at all...
Written July 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
how far is a car ride from Reykevik to your ranch?
Written August 28, 2018
They will come pick you up. Approximately 30 minutes from Reykjavik
Written September 22, 2018
Would this be suitable for kids ages 2.5 and 5 years old?
Written March 12, 2018
Probably a bit too young. If the 5 year old has riding experience then I guess that’s fine but you’ll have to ask them. But I’d say it’s too young.
Written March 15, 2018
We will be staying in Selfoss. Are you close to our location? Do you accept all ages? My mother, who is in good physical shape, wants to ride an Icelandic horse but she's 85. If the horses are gentle, which I've heard they are, would you allow her to ride? We probably should limit riding time to 1 1/2 hours at the most.
Written January 19, 2017
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