Iceland is home to a special breed of horses. These Icelandic Horses come from stock that was introduced by Nordic settlers over 1,000 years ago. The government of Iceland fiercely protects this special horse, allowing no other breeds to be brought into the country for fear that diseases could be introduced that would devastate the natives.

Icelandic Horses were the chief means of transportation between far-flung regions of the country before roads were built, and about 10% of Icelanders today are recreational riders, celebrating their heritage.

These horses are shaggy in winter to withstand the cold. They are short and muscular, and I found them friendly to humans. They aren’t really bad boys, of course, but something about they way they look in this picture struck me that way.

SIZE: This photograph is printed at an approximate final size of a bit over 3x3,” and is printed on cotton rag photographic paper using pigmented inks for an estimated 400-year display life.

LIMITED EDITION: This photographic print is part of a limited edition produced by photographer Lee Rentz. The edition consists of 250 prints, which includes all sizes and methods of printing.