Why Long-Shanked Bits on Icelandic Horses?

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

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

Debbie Short demonstrates clicker training with her Icelandic Horse stallion.

Clicker Training Icelandic Horses

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

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

Icelandic Horses Love Fruit

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

Icelandic Horses Connection

New Year, New Icelandic Horse Paradigm

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!