Icelandic Horse Connection News

Why Long-Shanked Bits on Icelandic Horses?

2010-01-17T19:17:00.000-08:00

Someone tell me WHY people use the long-shanked "icelandic" bit with a jointed mouthpiece, on Icelandic Horses?

Are the horses so poorly trained that there is no way to control them but with pain?

Or are the horses mentally unable to be trained to ride in union with their rider, like other horse breeds?

I just don't understand why this type of noseband and others (flash, figure 8, grackle, leveller, etc.) need to be on an Icelandic Pony.

And to combine the severe bit with the severe noseband... I just don't get it!

What is wrong with the riders, or the trainers, or the horse, that it *needs* this type of equipment?

How the Bit Affects the Horse

2010-01-08T17:43:00.000-08:00

Explanation of the effect of a bit on a horse. We see some of the same bit effects with Icelandic Horses.

Clicker Training Icelandic Horses by Debbie Short

2010-01-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

Debbie Short demonstrates clicker training with her Icelandic Horse stallion.

Clicker Training Icelandic Horses

2009-10-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

Clicker training Icelandic Horses

Description by the owner: We were doing some more work on catching one of our remedial horses in the field, the video camera was running, and this unfolded totally unrehearsed. We enjoyed it and hope you do too.

Bridleless, Bitless Icelandic Horse Riding

2009-06-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

See the Icelandic Horse Connection for more natural horsemanship riding with Icelandic Horses.

Icelandic Horses Love Fruit

2009-04-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

This is my Icelandic Horse gelding, Ljufur (RIP), having a bowl of fruit.

Icelandic Horses Connection

New Year, New Icelandic Horse Paradigm

2009-01-03T16:48:00.000-08:00

It's a new year; let's see if we can do better by our Icelandic Horses, and get rid of the nosebands, and the severe bits, and the bits that don't fit; as well as the heavy contact to force them into a frame to tolt.

"When we know better, we do better" - Maya Angelou

We know better now; let's take the next step and do right by our horses.

Thank you!

Happy Holidays! From Icelandic Horses

2008-12-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from all the Icelandic Horses of the Icelandic Horse Connection, which supports natural gaits, and opposes heavy contact and force to manipulate gaits.

We appreciate all of our supporters who stand up for the Icelandic Horse and help to stop the abusive riding and training practices.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-16T19:12:00.001-08:00

Click onto the image above to see a larger version.

Can you see the Icelandic Horses in there? Each one is characterized of one of my Icelandic Horses.

In order, they are:

[] Epona
[] Dyggur
[] Tryggur
[] Roker
[] Skumur
[] Ljufur
[] Vinur
[] Slaeda

Happy Thanksgiving
from the
Icelandic Horse Connection
http://iceryder.net

Gold Star for Natural Gaits with the Icelandic Horse

2008-11-16T19:10:00.001-08:00

Everyone working on natural gaits with their Icelandic Horse gets a Gold Star, personalized with your name and your horse's name on it.

Not All Gaits Are Tolt

2008-11-16T19:06:00.000-08:00

Tolt is a fairly speedy gait. It has to be fast to have one foot / two foot support. That's part of what makes it a tolt.

A slower gait, most likely, is not a tolt. It may be a saddle rack, a stepping pace, a fox trot, or a running walk.

If your horse is trotty and does a slow gait, it may be fox trot.

If your horse is pacey and does a slow gait, it may be stepping pace.

If the rider interferes with the horse, the horse may not be able to do his natural gait.

Not all gaits are tolt, or variations thereof; definitely speed (and lack thereof) will help you determine that it may be a gait other than tolt.

More about: Gaits and Tolt

Don't Pull on the Reins

2008-11-16T19:04:00.001-08:00

Do not pull on the reins of the Icelandic Horse to make him gait.

Icelandic Horse Connection Award of Excellence

2008-11-16T12:43:00.000-08:00