Born to run: Carolin 'Lina' Giese shoots Iceland’s majestic horses in motion

In Iceland, an ancient breed of horse rules the land, traversing the challenging landscapes and braving the harsh conditions. Photographer Carolin “Lina” Giese, who photographs these majestic creatures whilst riding alongside them, captures with words and images the singular bond between human and horse

Some photographers like the controlled environment of a studio. For me, galloping on horseback through wild terrain and extreme weather amongst 120 unenclosed Icelandic horses is the preferred shooting scenario. Riding with these untamed creatures, exploring areas only reachable on horseback and experiencing the elements as the horses do, forms a singularly strong bond both to the animals and with the nature they call home. Sure, it can be challenging to control composition and consider technique while travelling at such speeds (though I do my best), but technique is secondary to the emotions captured in these images. Sometimes the experience can be uncomfortable – on the coldest days, especially – but it’s always worth the struggle. The most important factor in my work is trust. It’s best to simply trust the horses.

I came to Iceland from Berlin in 2012 because of the horses. Though I’ve lived with animals all my life, I have been particularly fascinated by horses for as far back as my memory stretches. When my parents would drive past one grazing in a field, I would scream and beg for them to let me learn to ride (they did, eventually). I later pursued a day job as a horse trainer, buying my own horse, Andvari, in 2010. It was then that my love of horses and budding interest in photography converged, with Andvari serving as both teacher and muse. He patiently tolerated me for long stretches as I tried to capture his best angles. He was always rewarded with plenty of carrots and apples.

Photographer Carolin Giese captures unenclosed Icelandic horses, riding horseback herself to get the perfect shot. Photo: Ann-Christin Vogler

Arriving in Iceland, where the horses run free, felt like a homecoming. The Icelandic horses are an ancient line, believed to originate from the horses of Norwegian vikings in the 10th century and honed by centuries of careful breeding. They are small but mighty, able to handle the rough terrain and harsh elements of the place they call home. In Iceland, no other breed of horse is permitted and, if a horse leaves the island, it isn’t allowed to return.

I am not alone in my reverence for Icelandic horses; Hanný Norland Heiler, Tobbi í Hindsvík and Heiða Heiler, horse trainers and breeders of one of the oldest lines from the southeastern part of Iceland, have dedicated their lives to the care and preservation of these singular animals. They tell me how, for generations, the people of Iceland have depended on these horses, particularly in their native Hornafjörður.