Fighting the Bit

In the video, the horse has his mouth open at times.

An Icelandic Horse should have no reason to open his mouth while being ridden. Horses are nostril breathers. Opening the mouth can indicate problems / pain from the bit, noseband, heavy contact, etc.

If the horse is fighting the bit, what should be done? whose responsibility is it to be sure that the horse is comfortable in his job?

Natural Gait or Not

If the Icelandic Horse has to be pulled, with heavy contact that stretches his lips to absolute intolerance, trying to get away from the pain by opening his mouth; and being forced into an unnatural inverted, ventroflexed frame, is the gait of "tolt" natural to him?

The use of increasingly severe bits, as well as severe tight nosebands, is shocking.

Click onto the image to see a larger version.

Lee Ziegler, Easy Gaited Horses

Easy Gaited Horses, a book for gaited horse enthusiasts, by Lee Ziegler, which describes the easy gaits.


Lee Ziegler, Easy Gaited Horses

Mechanical Aids

Not all Icelandic Horses tolt (which is a one-foot / two-foot support, even four-beat, lateral gait, of speed, where the horse is ventroflexed, and downhill).

Icelandic Horses can offer several different easy gaits at liberty, such as the fox trot, running walk, stepping pace, etc., as well as the saddle rack; or may not offer any easy gait at liberty.

Tolt can be manufactured by mechanical means, some of which include:

[] Saddles, the tight narrow icelandic saddles, possibly with extended bars, brida-style.

[] Bits, snaffles, icelandic, pessoas, anything that doesn't fit the horse and makes him high-headed or tense.

[] Tight nosebands

[] Severe bits combined with severe nosebands

[] Icelandic shoes, or heavier than normal shoes, or unequally weighted shoes

[] Boots; double pairs of boots

[] Straps on the hoof

[] Whips

[] Heavy contact, leaning on the horse's mouth, obvious muscular strength pulling on reins

[] Sitting on the back of the saddle

[] Extreme ventroflexion

[] Extreme high-headedness

[] Ewe Necks

[] Long toes; contracted heels

[] Concussive practices

Some of these things are used in, or in training preparation for evaluations and competitions.

Gaits made by mechanical means invalidates the potential value of evaluation breeding scores.

The Icelandic Horses Wrinkles

The wrinkles of Icelandic Horses tell us what is happening with them. They are an indication that the horse is in an unnatural frame. The wrinkles around the throatlatch indicate the head is being crammed into the neck at an odd angle.

The wrinkles around the withers indicate that the horse's neck is being inverted, the base of the neck is being lowered, and the neck is crammed into an unnatural position.

Wrinkles can also be caused by a poorly fitting saddle.

What Gait / Fakur

This is a nice older black imported Icelandic Horse gelding. What gait(s) is he doing?

Change for the Icelandic Horse

We are at a point of great change within the Icelandic Horse breed. We have reached the cross roads; one going down the path of mechanical devices and manufactured gaits, and one leading to natural horsemanship and natural gaits.

Which path will you take? It may be a hard decision for some. For many people, it will involve change.

Are you afraid of change?

We are creatures of habit. People generally *like* status quo. Humans are made to recognize familiar objects and experiences. That's the logic of our brains. We can use a minimum of brain power to function with "familiar" things, rules, and order, which can be taken care of subconsciously. That leaves conscious brain power to deal with "different" or new things.

Sometimes "different" can be perceived as "dangerous" or disconcerting. Just part of the human makeup... leaving the comfort zone. The level of danger can be based on if you are isolated, alone, or the size of your companion group. Higher danger is in smaller groups or for the isolated human.

The tendency is that outgoing, confident people are more willing to consider and accept change, and move towards making changes more easily.

Change involves work. It's not easy, and it takes time, energy and effort. This explains why most people loathe change. Change can be viewed as opportunity or threat.

What some people see as a benefit can stress out others. Most people have a natural curiosity about change but at the same time, can be spooked by it. There are people at the low end of tolerance of change and at the other, the confidant ones, who love it.

"It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit from the old order and only luke warm defenders in all those who would profit from the new order. This is partly due to the incredulity of man who do not truly believe anything new until they experience it."
~~Quote from the Italian Machiavelli delivered in 15th Century.

There are four distinct phases of change: denial, resistance, exploration, commitment.

These can be broken down into seven phases: shock and surprise, denial and refusal, rational understanding, emotional acceptance, learning and practicing, realization, and integration.

Most people look at change in a negative way. For them, change may mean learning new things, increased pressure, potential loss of position, fear of the unknown, or even a challenge to their personal beliefs or way of doing things.

Six reasons for fear of change:

1. Fear of the Unknown
2. Self Doubt; Afraid of Losing
3. Self Isolation and Agonize Over Decisions
4. Forget That We Always Have Options
5. Focus on the External World to Define Our Identity and Worth
6. Handcuff Ourself to Stuff

In each generation there are a few individuals or a group who step from the old patterns and push the boundaries of current limiting beliefs and structure.

WE ARE THAT GROUP!

We are standing up for the Icelandic Horse, and insisting on improved training methods.

Some individuals will never be change makers, but kudos to those who are, as that's how we progress and how we reach higher levels in our society.

People like to hang on to the familiar, even if the change will be beneficial, something "different" is harder to accept or deal with. The denial and refusal stage also includes "hanging on"... hanging on to the old, familiar way, resisting the new. Change can disrupt work patterns and teamwork.

The middle part of the process of change is "letting go"... letting go of the old ways. A successful "letting go" includes confidence that the new way will be more personally beneficial and for the greater good for the whole. This is where there is a willingness to consider change.

Active acceptance, the final step in positive change, is mental and emotional acceptance and implementation of change. People learn, practice, and exercise; the more positive responses they get (correct answers), the more vested in the new changes.

You do not have to be afraid of change!

Again: WE ARE THAT GROUP!

We are the Change Makers who are making things better for the Icelandic Horse; moving away from mechanical devices and manufactured gaits, over to natural horsemanship and natural gaits.

Which do you value? Blue ribbons? ego? winning? or fairness, empathy, two-way communication with, and consideration for, your horse?

Read the Change Maker: http://iceryder.net/changemaker.html

Hurting the Icelandic Horses

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

icelandic horse, cheval islandais, island hast, islandske hest, pferde islenskir hestar, ijslands paard, islanninhevonen, islenskihesturinn, islandisches pferd, hestur, islandpony pony

Open Mouths on Icelandic Horses

Several new videos of Icelandic Horses show their mouths open. I wonder why the riders are doing this to the horses?

Icelandic Horse Foot Flicking

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.

More here: Flipping Toe

Al Roker Icelandic Horse

If only they could show the horse without having it's mouth tied shut, without a gag bit, and without boots. :-(

What's so natural about all that?!?!

Is that showing respect of the horse to use all that bad stuff on him?

Natural and Artificial Gaits of the Icelandic 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.

Insulin Resistance in Icelandic Horses

Is your Icelandic Horse overweight? a very easy keeper? an air fern? hard to get to lose weight?

Consider that your Icelandic Pony may be insulin resistant.

Insulin resistance should be addressed before it causes laminitis in your Icelandic Horse.

Find more information at thehorse.com:

Diagnosing Insulin Resistance

Gait Chart

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.

Icelandic Horse Crooked Legs

What do you see in this picture?

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!

What A Clip!

A beautiful "star" clip!

Welsh Mountain Ponies

Two men discuss their love for the Welsh Mountain Pony.

Trailer Loading Icelandic with Parelli

Trailer loading Stella, Icelandic Horse mare, with Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

Lift / Animation

These photos are samples of the "lift" and "animation" that the show ring is promoting and striving for.

Does any horse move like this naturally? Is this lift / animation derived from mechanical means?

These horses are practically hitting themselves in the elbow with their hoof! Should they wear elbow pads for protection?!?!?

Would an Icelandic Horse that was bred with this kind of lift / animation survive by moving on the terrain of Iceland in this manner?

Neckrope Riding with Leiknir

Neckrope riding with Leiknir, Icelandic Horse

Gerd Heuschmann

In Gerd Heuschmann's new book, Tug of War: Classical Versus Modern Dressage, he writes a Preface directed to the USA (UK and other English speaking countries). Here are some excerpts:

"...Europe and Germany... has had an enormous influence... in the development of equestrian sport all over the world."

"...in order to cater to the market, the horse-training process is being shortened ... A group of trainers has evolved who strive only for the quickest way to success."

"Such a monetary goal... isn't something fundamentally wrong, however, if on the way to such success the horse is reduced to a mere object... is not only very dangerous but also morally questionable."

"Some horses are being trained with mechanical and technical devices in the shortest time possible... being trained mechanically."

"Other nations... are attempting to emulate these quick training methods... "hand-dominated" riding is also being copied."

"Riders and trainers... in... the United States are widely imitating this procedure... despite the fact that hand and strength-dominated riding isn't part of the American way of riding at all. Remember... a light and horse-friendly riding style [of the US]."

"...it's an American, living... in Germany... who is showing the entire equestrian world that riding with feel and delicacy in harmony with the horse... leads to great success."



Heuschmann will be giving a seminar at the International Dressage Symposion, Maplewood Warmbloods, Middletown, NY, in October, and subsequently a clinic for the Utah Dressage Society, February 12, 13, 14.

Watch for his 60-minute DVD, "Stimmen der Pferd" ("If Horses Could Speak") on the biomechanical exploitation of horses.

What Gait / Tandri 2

What gait is this Icelandic Horse stallion doing?

Icelandic Horse Beach Riding

Pictures from Mic, riding with her friends on the beach (UK).

Icelandic Horse Embroidery

Mary has embroidered this image onto some sweatshirts. If you're interested in getting one, email me at iceryder @ gmail.com and I'll put you in touch with her.

Connected Riding Icelandic Horse

An additional video here: Connected Riding Video with Icelandic Horse

What Gait / Tandri

What gait is this Icelandic Horse doing?

What Gait / Hottur

What gait is this Icelandic Horse doing?

Judy and Vinur, circa 1997

This video is from about 1997, working with Vinur, the Icelandic Horse, with natural horsemanship and clicker training:

Therapy Pony

This pony is working his therapy job at a senior facility.

Soring Gaited Horses

Gaited Horses can be "sored" to create lift, animation, and to change the timing of the front feet.

Soring can be accomplished by:

[] long toes
[] big feet (add more weight)
[] heavier shoes
[] adding boots
[] adding toe weights
[] quarter boots tightened on the coronary band
[] heavy contact which interferes with the horse's normal leg flight
[] sitting on the cantle of the saddle
[] placing the saddle past the last rib
[] saddle digging into the loins
[] the feet pounding on the ground (concussive practices)

None of these practices should be used with Icelandic Horses, but some are.

Barefoot Icelandic Horses

In North America, we tend to like to have our Icelandic Horses barefoot, it at all possible. Barefoot allows the horse's hoof to spread and contract as necessary. It may not be possible to have barefoot horses in Iceland, but it is possible in North America. It all depends on your terrain and how much you ride. If the horse has genetically good feet, it may not be a problem to be barefoot, and may actually be healthier for him!

The natural barefoot trims work really well for Icelandic Horses.

Icelandic Horse UnHappy Mouth

Let's see if we can move away from seeing pictures like this of Icelandic Horses. Well, not only no pictures, but no pulling on the horse's mouth, no strapping the mouth shut, and no bits that cause this type of reaction.

Tolt: Not Collected

Tolt is a gait that is not collected.

The definition of collection is a combination of three factors:

[] Engagement of the hindquarters, which means that the pelvis tips down (tail down) and in (rotating the bottom of the pelvis in and under the horse), bringing both legs under the mass of the horse.

[] Bascule (rounding) of the back. Engagement of the hindquarters must happen for the back to round up.

[] Lifting of the base of the neck. This allows the neck to telescope and the head to freely offer it's relaxed position slightly in front of the vehicle.

In tolt, the pelvis is doing the opposite of the engaged position; it is tipping up (tail up) and out (rotating the bottom of the pelvis up and out away from the mass of the horse).

This action, starts the back to hollow. The back cannot "round" when the hindquarters have not been engaged.

In collection, the lowering of the pelvis (engagement of the hindquarters) is a *sustained* lowering.

Sustained lowering never happens in tolt.

Going to the front of the horse: lifting the head and neck lowers the base of the neck, which makes tolt an earth-bound gait. The vector of the movement is down; earth-bound, which is the opposite of collection.

Charm, Icelandic Horse

Charm went to the Rider's Field today, did some ground driving in the arena, and walked on the trails.

Shame in the Icelandic Horse Show Ring

A blog entitled "Shame in the Show Ring" has featured Icelandic Horses:

http://shameinthehorseshowring.blogspot.com/2008/09/ponies-on-ice.html

Please be sure to read the article, and feel free to comment on it.

We want the best for our Icelandic Horses, and want to see natural horsemanship and natural gaits!

Disharmonie Videos

Hyperflexion




Schritttrickkiste

More:
Passgewürge

Schrittmanipulation II

Icelandic Horse WC 2007

What is happening here?

disharmonie

disharmonie
Originally uploaded by lena & pferde

Icelandic Horse Natural and Artificial Gaits

Some gaits of gaited horses are natural and some are "created"; artificial, mechanical, manipulated.

Here are some of the ways that gait is created in Icelandic Horses:



Icelandic Horse Connection

Saddle Fit Videos

Horses need to have well-fitting saddles. Fitting a saddle to a horse needs knowledge about equine anatomy, and saddle structure. Add to this the biomechanics of the horse and the mechanics of the saddle, and how they mesh. Video by Joanna Robson, Napa, CA

Youtube

I am trying to get 1000 subscribers on my Icelandic Horse youtube page!

Please help me reach my goal by subscribing to:

http://www.youtube.com/user/icehorses

Just go to that page and click onto the "subscribe" button.

Thanks!

Schleich Brown Iceland Pony

The Schleich Brown Iceland Pony is on sale at $3.00:



Icelandic Horse Connection

Balanced Saddle Versus Chair Seat Saddle

Here are two Icelandic Horses with different style saddles.

The first is a treed icelandic-style saddle. The lowest part of the seat is further back, putting the rider in a chair seat, which places most of the weight behind the action of the horse (center of mass), and on the weakest part of the horse's back.



This is a treeless western-style Sensation saddle. The rider will be aligned more with the horse's COM (center of mass). Even though the saddle ends past the last rib, since it's treeless, it's not a problem (there won't be anything digging into the loins), and the center of saddle (the low point) appears to be well forward.



Icelandic Horse Connection

Should We Do Dressage with Icelandic Horses

The Icelandic Horse is not built to succeed or excel in dressage. Because of their conformation, they are not meant to be held in frame with contact. Their heads and necks are conformed for loose-rein riding.

Considering the problems in modern-day dressage, should we "do" dressage with Icelandic Horses?

In Gerd Heuschmann's new book, Tug of War: Classical Versus Modern Dressage, he writes a Preface directed to the USA (UK and other English speaking countries). Here are some excerpts:

"...Europe and Germany... has had an enormous influence... in the development of equestrian sport all over the world."

"...in order to cater to the market, the horse-training process is being shortened... A group of trainers has evolved who strive only for the quickest way to success."

"Such a monetary goal... isn't something fundamentally wrong, however, if on the way to such success the horse is reduced to a mere object... is not only very dangerous but also morally questionable."

"Some horses are being trained with mechanical and technical devices in the shortest time possible... being trained mechanically."

"Other nations... are attempting to emulate these quick training methods... "hand-dominated" riding is also being copied."

"Riders and trainers... in... the United States are widely imitating this procedure... despite the fact that hand and strength-dominated riding isn't part of the American way of riding at all. Remember... a light and horse-friendly riding style [of the US]."

"...it's an American, living... in Germany... who is showing the entire equestrian world that riding with feel and delicacy in harmony with the horse... leads to great success."

In Philippe Karl's new book, "Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage":

"One of the most outspoken critics of the modern dressage world reveals some disturbing facts about the physical, anatomical, and mental effects through official dressage guidelines as issued by the German Horse Society (FN) on horses. By comparing these with philosophies of masters of classical riding such as La Gueriniere and Baucher, he shows possible solutions to the challenging situation of modern competitive dressage."

Natural Ride

An option for "natural ride" on an Icelandic Horse:



http://www.enasco.com/product/C27575N

Starting Snorri

Starting Snorri, an Icelandic Horse gelding, bareback and bitless:

Baldur

Baldur fra Alfasaga:

Tosca

Tosca, an 3/4 Icelandic and 1/4 Paso cross:

Carlos Tobon Riding Icelandic Horse

Carlos Tobon, Paso Fino clinician and judge, having his first ride on an Icelandic.

What Gait / Dagur

What gait is this Icelandic Horse doing:

What Gait / Freyja

What gait is this Icelandic Horse mare doing, for the most part, in the first half of the video:

Natural and Artificial Gaits

Gaits of the Icelandic Horse can be natural, or can be artificial, by mechanical or manipulated means.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com