These Are The Sacred, Symbolic Horses  Of Iceland

The horse holds a precious place in Icelandic culture, art and tradition; for over 1,000 years Icelandic law has prohibited the importation of horses onto the island. In 2010 I traveled to Iceland with Paul Taggart to film "Herd In Iceland." We documented Icelandic herders as they collected their horses across the island's remote terrain. By telling the story of this annual journey, "Herd In Iceland" captures the symbolism behind the horses and the nation they represent.

During the summer months, the horses live in a wild existence, grazing in the highlands and raising their young. Each fall, they are rounded up by local farmers and directed across the stunning landscape. This valued tradition is a social and cultural touchstone for both the farmers who own the horses and the city dwellers who travel to the countryside to participate.

Paul and I spent time with the herders and others who ensure that this tradition continues. We filmed from land and air, foot and hoof across the vast Icelandic landscape, following and living with the herdsmen. The film takes you into a journey that is largely unknown but filled with meaning and beauty for those who sustain it. See a selection of stills from the documentary below.

A horse on Geitaskarð farm in northwest Iceland on September 19th, 2011.

Horses being herded through the lava fields near Landmannalaugar in southern Iceland on September 21, 2011.

Horse that were used to bring in the herd at the Víðidalstungurétt round-up in Iceland on October 2nd, 2010. Photographed with a 4x5 camera.

A horse on Geitaskarð farm in northwest Iceland on September 19th, 2011.

Guðmundur Guðmundsson, a ferrier and horse breeder outside Hella in Iceland.

An Icelandic horse in the landscape near Þingeyrar Farm in Iceland on September 27, 2010.

A strap used for tethering horses together is worn by an Icelandic horse at the Laufskálarétt round-up in Iceland on September 25, 2010. The strap is used to allow a rider to lead two or more horses while trekking.

Kolbrun Yr Sturludottir helped to bring in the horses from Geitaskarð farm, on the way to the Skrapatungurétt round-up in northern Iceland on September 17, 2011.

Sheep that have been grazing in the highlands are waiting to be sorted at the Víðidalstungurétt round-up, on October 1st, 2011.

Svanhildur Guðmundsdóttir (L) and Ingimar B Björnsson, herders at Laufskálarétt in northern Iceland on September 24th, 2011. Photographed with a 4x5 camera.

Horses being herded through the lava fields near Landmannalaugar in southern Iceland on September 21, 2011.

"Herd In Iceland" is the winner of the Best Documentary Short at the 2013 Black Hills Film Festival, Festival Winner at Heartland Film Festival, Best Documentary Short at Bend Film Festival, Best Animal Rights film at L.A. Femme, and Best Documentary Short at Louisville International Festival of Film. "Herd In Iceland" may be screening near you -- and soon! See below:

February 7 - 8: Oxford, Mississippi: Oxford Film Festival

February 15 - 21: Chile: Ficil BioBio, February 15-21 (International Premier)

February 15 - 23: Missoula, Montana: Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

February 27: Macon, Georgia: Macon Film Festival

March 1: New York City: Winter Film Awards

March 4 - 8: Fargo, North Dakota: Fargo Film Festival

March 7, 12 & 15: Jose, California: Cinequest Film Festival (Lindsay Blatt in attendance)