Iceland has trotted out a service that lets HORSES reply to work emails when you're on holiday. The world-first ‘OutHorse Your Email’ service is designed to encourage travellers to switch off and take an uninterrupted trip to the country. Using a large keyboard mat, the gaited horses are able to walk, trot, canter, tölt and pace their way across the keys. Unsurprisingly, the result is nonsense replies to corporate contacts, with examples listed as "þþnjifai=’.,,lmbmbnbbhgycdrgzw/’pfæ ndaiFVxhðut7r7r7djsmfdsm” and “þnjifai\’/.p,oii9unnbhvggyvgjhbjm,kfæ,.iklp–jpomohu o/’k;,i,mumnf.” A recent global study by Visit Iceland found that two fifths (41%) of people globally check their work emails between 1 and 4 times a day when on holiday, while 1 in 10 (14%) review them 5-6 times every day. Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir, Head of Visit Iceland said: “When visitors travel to Iceland we want them to fully experience everything our nation has to offer, from breathtaking surroundings to endless landscapes and friendly faces. “Our OutHorse Your Email service lets them do just that, taking away the pressure of feeling as if they have to be always on and instead allowing them to be present throughout their trip. With our world-first service we hope to encourage people to disconnect and take a well-deserved, uninterrupted break”. Jelena Ohm, Project Manager of Horses of Iceland said: “Our talented horses took naturally to the OutHorse Your Email service, tölting and galloping their way across the fields and creating a range of unique emails that will help holidaymakers enjoy their trip without any interruptions. From curiosity, intelligence and independence, our horses are special for many reasons, and so now we can add email responders too.” Due to the pandemic, over the last few years many workers have transitioned to remote working, finding that the lines between their work and personal lives have become blurred. The research by Visit Iceland revealed that three fifths (59%) of people globally now feel as if their boss, colleagues and clients expect them to reply when on holiday, while less than half (44%) of workers actually feel rested after their trip. A further 1 in 10 (15%) have even cancelled or postponed their holiday plans altogether due to work. That’s why Iceland is 'outhorsing' workers’ emails to its horses, asking them to trot out replies, so they don’t have to. Visit Iceland add: “So, don’t be foal-ish, enjoy a distraction free trip to Iceland and remember, if you do receive work emails while on holiday, Iceland’s horses have you covered.”
