|
|
The Icelandic Horse possesses unique characteristics that have contributed to its increasing popularity in the United States. These include conformation, gaits, and character. Icelandic Horses usually stand between 13 and 14 hands.
|
|
By U.S. standards, this technically classifies Icelandic Horses as ponies, but they are very unlike our typical ponies. For instance, adults ride Icelandic Horses, but they usually do not ride U.S. pony breeds. Also, Icelandic Horses can out perform many horses of 15 and 16 hands in carrying, pulling, stamina, and longevity.
The Icelandic Horse is somewhat rectangular and well-proportioned. The head is clean cut and expressive, the neck supple and well set, so that the horse carries itself well-balanced when ridden. The shoulder should be comparatively long and well angled, the back flexible, and the croup sloping, wide, and well-muscled. The horse must give an impression of courage and power, with a proud and attentive expression, especially when ridden. They possess a full, thick mane, tail, and forelock. Icelandic Horses, like other horses, are slow to mature. They should not be ridden until age 4, but it is not unusual to ride them up to age 30. Brood mares can also be bred at age 4 and often produce foals well into their late 20's. Births are usually easy and it is best to raise foals free on pasture and rough ground to preserve their natural spirit and vigor. Icelandic Horses are not usually bred for color and come in 42 color combinations including chestnut, bay, black, palomino, buckskin, gray, pinto, silver dapple, and blue dun. This fact is very appealing to many potential buyers because they have the opportunity to buy their ideal horse in their favorite color.
The Icelandic Horse can be patient, adaptable, uncomplicated, but sometimes very spirited. It has a friendly personality and a special affinity for people. Due to its breeding as riding and working horse for Icelandic farmers, it can make an excellent family horse. The Icelandic Horse is bred for use, not show. Highest priority is given to its ride-ability with emphasis placed on its being courageous, resourceful, cooperative, willing, with good forward action.
A common theme among those that own these horses is that they feel such a bond with the animal and how important their wonderful personalities are to them as owners. It is the everyday experience of owning Icelandic Horses; to walk among a herd of mares and foals who have minimal human contact and have them crowd around you in curiosity with no acts of aggression normally present with many other breeds. There is not much nipping, kicking, or negative response to people, just an interest in them. Further appreciation comes from the ride on an Icelandic Horse; to experience the smooth glide of the tolt, to feel totally safe as your mount confidently picks his way down a steep, rocky hill, and the feeling that these horses want to please and will wait patiently for your commands.
The SlideShow on CD is now available. It shows highlights from the Liz Graves Icelandic Horse gathering in California.
The video is in production, and the CD is a good prelude to it.
The focus of the gathering is the American pleasure rider. The clinician is Liz Graves, noted gaited horse judge, trainer, and clinician. She
has many years experience in several disciplines including dressage, western pleasure, sidesaddle, all breeds of gaited horses, etc. She is also a "judge's judge", author, and gaited horse biomechanics expert.
The information on the CD and video is applicable to all gaited horses.
For further information, please go to http://icehorses.net/cliniccd.html.
|
|