Intangible heritage of Icelandic equestrianism: the experience of domestic horse tourists

Abstract

Horses were previously known to be the most needed servants in the farming society in Iceland. The Icelandic horse, the only horse breed in the country, was part of everyday life for the inhabitants, serving as a means of transport and a work companion. Riding a horse or walking, were the only means of transport across Iceland’s rough terrain up until the 20th century. Tangible and intangible heritage related to horses is therefore strong in Iceland. This heritage has shown to be important for equestrian tourism businesses in Iceland, but the role of this heritage in the development of domestic tourists’ leisure activities remains unstudied. This research looks into the role of intangible and tangible heritage in domestic horse tourists’ experiences during long rides, that is travelling with their own horses and a group of human friends for several days. The research was conducted through a mix of participant observation, 11 interviews and auto ethnographic accounts of being a horse tourist in Iceland. The research indicates that tangible and intangible heritages related to horse translates into leisure activities of domestic riders, where the fact that the riders are following the footsteps of their ancestors along the ancient trails plays a significant role for these tourists. In this way, the equestrian heritage is lived and further developed for current and future generations of humans and horses.