10/29/2026
🌟 A VERY SPECIAL HORSE — AND A BIG DECISION FOR SAND MEADOW FARM
In more than 20 years of breeding Icelandic horses, we have bred exactly ONE horse that we felt was truly worthy of keeping as a breeding stallion.
This is him. ❤️
Meet Valtýr from Sand Meadow, our stunning four-year-old, black pinto, five-gaited stallion.
Valtýr represents so much of what we have worked to achieve in our breeding program. He has the pedigree, the conformation, the presence, and the genetics. But what makes him truly extraordinary to us is his character.
He is exceptionally brave, calm, cooperative, and unflappable. He's wonderfully uncomplicated in every aspect of daily life, from trailering and shoeing to veterinary care, bathing, and handling. He's also extremely sociable with other horses and currently lives happily with two geldings surrounded by mares.
He's confident without being difficult, calm without being dull, and always willing to cooperate. He's simply a pleasure to be around.
And his genetics are something special!
⭐ Sire: Viðar frá Skör (9.04) 🥇🥇— Awarded First Prize for the Quality of His Offspring. Valtýr is his ONLY offspring in the United States.
⭐ Dam: Valkyrja frá Lambeyrum (8.06) 🥇 — A First Prize evaluated mare and daughter of the amazing Honor Prize stallion Álfur frá Selfossi.
Both parents are tall, five-gaited, First Prize evaluated horses with successful competition careers and wonderful, uncomplicated riding temperaments.
And Valtýr currently has a BLUP of 118 — the highest of any stallion four years old or younger in the United States.
Already approximately 14 hands and still growing, Valtýr has exceptionally long legs, beautiful proportions, strong tendons, excellent feet, and a presence that makes people stop and look. His gorgeous black pinto coloring is simply the icing on the cake.
He has been professionally started under saddle by Taktur Icelandic Horses, where his trainers have been particularly impressed by his outstanding character. He is still green under saddle, but has been introduced to walk, trot, canter, and tölt, with plenty of clear, natural tölt. He is well-schooled in all the ground exercises and is currently on a winter training break.
His first foal is expected in 2027.
So why the big decision? 🤔
With our recent purchase of our Otter Creek property, we've decided to scale back our breeding program. And with Valtýr's mother remaining one of our primary breeding mares, keeping another stallion with similar genetics simply doesn't make sense for us.
As much as we love him, we've made the difficult decision to look for the right new owner for Valtýr.
Ideally, we'd love to see him continue as a stallion with someone who recognizes the quality of his genetics, conformation, and temperament. But we also believe he has the makings of a truly wonderful riding horse, and an exceptional future as a gelding would be equally worth considering.
If the right match doesn't come along, he'll remain right here at Sand Meadow, where we'll geld him and enjoy him ourselves.
Valtýr is USIHC registered, microchipped, up to date on vaccinations, and certified clear of spavin in WorldFengur (green "S"). He has no history of summer eczema or other known health issues.
This is a horse we're tremendously proud of, and finding the right future for him matters to us. ❤️
For those who would like to learn more about Valtýr please send us a DM.
We also hope you'll share his story and photo with fellow Icelandic horse enthusiasts. 🤍🖤
