Gerd Heuschmann Interview

Interviews with Gerd Heuschmann:

http://www.jonibentley.co.uk/articles/less.htm

http://www.jonibentley.co.uk/articles/edited/simple.htm

This article describes some of the poor riding practices and therefore let's us know why Icelandic Horses should not be ridden icelandic-style.

Icelandic Horse and Natural Horsemanship

From the owner:

It's been one year since I have purchased my icelandic ponies. Things started off rough. Stjarni was green and so was I. The saying is green on green equals black and blue. Thanks to a great trainer and natural horsemanship, I have learned a whole new way of being around horses. I've not only gained new skills, but gained confidence. I've learned never to give up, be patient, and respect my horse. I've got a lot more to learn, but I welcome the journey.

Icelandic Horses Looking for Homes

Information from the owner about the two geldings, Trausti (chestnut) and Dreki (palomino), located in northern Colorado:

Trausti -626-:

Gelding, born April 10, 1992.
Sorrel chestnut. No white markings.
13h
Out of Logi fra Icelandic Horse Farm -309- and Loa -312-
Has Canadian Icelandic Horse Federation papers.

4-gaited though very rusty in tolt.

He is very smart. Likes to think of ways to get food and not do much work for it. Unafraid of almost anything. Good on trails. Loves people and is quite the socialite. He ties, trailers, and is wonderful as long as he has a firm hand that demands respect from him.

He has been deemed "sound" by my veterinarian. However, he foundered in May of 2001. He was grass hay fed on dry-lot when it happened, and my vet could not find any reason why he should have foundered, but he did. So, although he is "sound," my vet cautioned that we should be careful not to "over do it" with him. It took about 4 years to get him back to trail worthy condition again.

He has been somewhat heavy on the forehand since the founder. This is partially why his tolt is rusty. We haven't really asked him to.


Dreki fra Lone Rock US94100566:

Gelding born June 12, 1994.
Palomino
About 13h
Out of Logi fra Icelandic Horse Farm M8400326 and Sunna fra Fitjamyri
US88200361
I have his US United Icelandic Horse Congress Certificate of Registration.

5-gaited with tendency towards pace.

Dreki was very frightened when we got him. We made some progress and he halters nicely where as when we got him he would run away. He was terribly head shy when we got him, but now he comes to me for scratching. And, that is about as far as we have gotten with him.

He likes to be groomed, but is still very cautions even after all these years.

About 1.5 years after we got him, my husband sustained a devastating spinal injury. It took 4.5 years before I was able to turn my attention back to Dreki. I tried working with him, but each day was as though we were starting from the beginning again.

I contacted a trainer and he was in training for about 6 weeks with the assurances that he would be a wonderful riding horse when we got him back "no problem." Well... Dreki came back and was in some ways a little better and in some ways a little worse. The trainer told me that he would need at least 3 more months to be able to get anywhere with him, because it was "like starting over with him every day!" I didn't have the funds for it, so we did what we could here at home.

One day, I got an offer from a woman who has "rescued" a "problem icey" with a reputation for being "dangerous." She has done an amazing job with this little horse and is even able to give local kids pony rides on him. She has also had good success with mustangs, and she offered to take Dreki and train him. I told her to take him for as long as she wanted and train him. She called me 3 weeks later and said he had to be returned because "he would not progress". He would be longing nicely one day, and the next he would be in a complete panic at the sight of the longe line. She did not feel that she would be able to get anywhere with him. So, he came back and we have worked with him as best we could, but never really gotten past his seemingly
illogical "panic" outbursts.

That said, he has never tried to deliberately hurt anyone. He is a sweet guy who really needs someone who understands how he thinks and who can help him through whatever it is he fears.

Please email me at iceryder at gmail.com for owner's contact information.

Legend of God and Pegasus

Icelandic Horses

A book by Elisabeth Haug: The Legend of God and Pegasus.

Listi, Bareback and Bitless

Description by the owner from The Netherlands: Listi is an Icelandic horse who is hypersensitive and very quickly stressed. In this video an impression of his training in hand and riding, in which we try to get him more relaxed every day.

A Natural Ride for A Natural Horse

Iceland likes to think of the Icelandic Horse as a "natural horse", one that is able to be left out in the pastures 24 / 7, raised in the herds with little interference.

This is fine, but what happens when the horses are then introduced to their riding careers?

Shoes are nailed on; boots are put in place on the fetlocks; icelandic-style saddles (which may be unbalanced / uncentered, too long, and / or too narrow) are put on; jointed snaffles are put in the mouth; and the mouth tightened by a noseband; rider sits to the weaker part of the horse's back; puts his weight on the reins and the mechanics of the snaffle come into play; and the whip is there for... whatever reason. The horse is held in frame, ventroflexed, and fighting the bit.

Pretty picture? NOT!

But this is what is taught at the icelandic-style riding schools, by the icelandic-style trained trainers, and supported in the show ring.

How natural is this?

Can't we take some inspiration from the Indians who worked *with* their natural horses, and took the time to ride *with* the horse and not against the horse?

Bitless Riding Portugal

Bitless riding an Icelandic Horse in Portugal. This is a Norton Bitless Bridle. It may have the cross-under-the-jaw reins (not a fan of this type of bridle due to the mechanics).