When last week's snow storms swept over Iceland, most Icelanders took shelter to the best of their ability. But television pictures also showed how the heavy snowfall hit the island's well-known horses, some of which were completely isolated from their owners.

Now there are reports that dozens around the island have died in the storm, and the fate of many more is still uncertain. At least 80 have been confirmed dead and more than 100 are still missing, according to the Iceland Review news site which cites local public service company RUV.

Veterinarian: "Unique event"

The rescue service must have received at least 15 relief requests for horses, some of which have been isolated for several days without food or water. Many of the surviving animals now suffer from extreme fatigue.

Veterinarian Sigríður Björnsdóttir says that last week's storm was the deadliest weather event for Icelandic horses in several decades.

- Yes, I think you can say that. I have worked with this for 25 years and this is at least a unique event during those periods, she says.

Traumatic for owners

Björnsdóttir adds that there are no signs that the owners have acted wrongly.

- These are traumatic events for the farmers and I would like to point out that they are not unprepared. There are no signs of it, she says.