Why do the riders do these things to the Icelandic Horses? Too much rein contact, bits that don't fit, tight nosebands, uneducated hands. Overbending the horse is found to be very detrimental... what type of rider does this? to a pony?!?!?
The Icelandic Horse is supposed to be a "natural" horse... why all the heavy equipment? Is the equipment supposed to "control" the horse? Does it take the place of knowledge and education?
Norah Jones
"Don't Know Why" Lyrics:
I waited 'til I saw the sun I don't know why I didn't come I left you by the house of fun I don't know why I didn't come I don't know why I didn't come
When I saw the break of day I wished that I could fly away Instead of kneeling in the sand Catching teardrops in my hand
My heart is drenched in wine But you'll be on my mind Forever
Out across the endless sea I would die in ecstasy But I'll be a bag of bones Driving down the road along
My heart is drenched in wine But you'll be on my mind Forever
Something has to make you run I don't know why I didn't come I feel as empty as a drum I don't know why I didn't come I don't know why I didn't come I don't know why I didn't come
Foot flicking (aka toe flicking, foot flipping) in the Icelandic Horse is when the hoof of the front foot travels past it's normal arc; hyperextention.
It can happen because of a few reasons, a couple of which are: too much laxity in the fetlock, and / or weights on the distal limb.
The bottom of the hoof should not be seen from the front.
The hoof landing on the point of the heel first (versus normal soft heel-first landing with a rolling action), is not desireable and can be problematic and painful for the horse.
Some Icelandic Horses are naturally gaited; some are not. If a gait is *made* by mechanical means, it is artificial and not inheritable. We need to be careful to only show and evaluate natural gaits of the icelandic Horse to preserve the gaits in the breed. Mechanical (manipulated) gaits should not be allowed.
This chart shows the intermediate gaits between trot and pace. These are gaits exhibited by gaited horses.
Each breed has a signature gait, but not every individual within the breed will do the signature gait. The gait of the Tennessee Walking Horse is the running walk, but some Tennessee Walkers may prefer to fox trot or saddle rack or do a stepping pace.
Missouri Fox Trotters' main gait is the fox trot; but individuals may prefer a running walk, rack, or pace.
Same with Peruvian Pasos, Paso Finos, Icelandic Horses, etc.
Icelandic Horses may be single gaited (pace, pace, and pace), or three gaited (walk, trot, canter; or walk, gait, canter; etc.) or may be multi-gaited. Not all Icelandic Horses tolt; not all Icelandic Horses trot; not all Icelandic Horses canter; some may fox trot, some may saddle rack, some may run walk.
We prefer not to use the terms "four-gaited" or "five-gaited" with Icelandic Horses as some of the gaits may not be natural, and the terms may be misleading.
First the Icelandic Horses are supposed to be turning to the left, but their bodies are not bent in that direction, but more in a counter direction. There is a lot of blockage in their necks, and problems with fighting the bit. Note the mouths, and odd angles of the heads.
Unfortunately, this type of riding has been accepted as *norm* and no one apparently questions what problems the horses are having.
The image also shows the problems with the crooked legs in the breed. Both horses are on their right laterals, and you can see the winging of the front left leg (airborn) in both horses.
Also notable is the rear left airborn leg on the darker horse; odd angle; compare it to the rear airborn leg of the other horse.
It is a shame that this type of riding is acceptable; and not only acceptable, but rewarded! AND taught at the riding school!
