| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 111.1 | | FRAGLE::PELUSO | PAINTS; color your corral | Tue Mar 19 1991 15:24 | 29 |
| Hi Addie!
Icelandics are my favorite breed (besides paints). I have been
checking them out for the past year. It is a rare breed in the
united states - there are only about 400 of them. THey have only been
in the U.S. since the late 70's.
It's funny you said `horse' not pony, most folks w/ icelandics
get offended if their mount is refered to as a pony. In Iceland
it is the only horse in the country, and it is probably one of the
purest - about 900+ years pure. They can be 3,4, or 5 gaited horses.
They will show gait at birth, and it a horse is 3 gaited, it was
(in the olden days) turned into food. the 5 gaits are walk, trot,
tolt, canter and pace. I have been riding one who paces....it's neat,
but it is very hard to ride!
I have been collecting information, and it's hard because most is
written in german or icelandic, and was going to enter some in...but
who has the time. And I didn't think anyone would be interested.
I'd be happy to share info w/ you and your friend!
Where did your friend get her horse? I am visiting another breeder
this weekend in NY.
Well....looking forward to hearing more from Icelandic lovers!
Michele
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| 111.2 | Icelandic Pony | WFOV12::NOLL | | Thu Mar 21 1991 11:50 | 14 |
|
Hello!
I don't know really anything about the breed but I can remember reading
about them back in the 1960s......I guess few people knew much about
them then....at least, certainly, in New England.....but then again...
who had ever heard of the Bashkir horse back then? But the book I
used to own spoke of that breed as well.....I recently picked up
a breeds book that lists several native to Europe and other parts
of the world that in my 30+ years have never heard of.....
If you stumble upon any information on Icelandics please share it
with us.....
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| 111.3 | The Icelandic Horse | FRAGLE::PELUSO | PAINTS; color your corral | Fri Mar 22 1991 15:55 | 93 |
| **** The Icelandic Horse ****
(reprinted w/out permission from the U.S. Icelandic Horse Federation)
The Gaited Horse of the Vikings
The Icelandic Horse as a breed goes back to the ninth century when
Iceland was settled by Vikings who brought gaited horses with them
from Norway and the British Isles. Surviving on this North Alantic
island of volcanoes and glaciers cultivated tenacity and strength.
one thousand years of isolation kept this hearty breed pure,
preserving its character and its five natural gaits. In addition to
the common gaits of walk trot and canter, the Icelandic Horse also
possesses the additional gaits of tolt and pace. These make for an
unusually versatile and exciting riding and driving horse. Today,
sophisticated techniques of modern horsemanship mix with traditions
of history to create a unique equestrian adventure.
Strength and Stamina
Referred to as the `bridges of Iceland' these horses were essential
for Icelanders' survival. Thus they were, and still are, carefully
bred for strength, stamina, and disposition. They mature slowly
and are not broken until they are 5 years old. However, they have
a long life span and can be ridden and worked until they are 20
to 25 years old. The oldest horse in history was an Icelandic horse
living in Denmark which reached the age of 56 years!
These horses average 13 to 14 hands in height, but because of their
unique conformation, they are strong enough to carry a fully grown man
for hours. They are excellent for long distance treks and are also
natural jumpers. They have proved themselves in endurance competitions.
Tolt
Tolt is the Icelandic word for various four beat gaits (singlefoot,
rack, running walk) also known in American Saddle Horses, Tennessee
Walking Horses and the Paso-Fino. In the Tolt, the hooves hit the
ground singly at perfectly even intervals. It has an energetic,
undulating movement; the horses head is carried high. It can be
executed slowly, at a mere step, or up to speeds of 15 to 20 m.p.h.
The rider feels no jostling or bouncing, but a sensation of gliding.
This amazing smooth and comfortable gait enables the horse to cover
rough ground and long distances with amazing swiftness, grace, and
ease.
Pace
The pace is a two beat lateral gait ridden at high speed. It has
a clearly visible float, i.e, all four hooves off the ground. It
is referred to as the flugskeid or `flying pace', and gives the
impression of great power. The horse can reach speeds of 25 to
30 m.p.h. The action is freeflowing and natural. The pace is ridden
mostly in short races of 250 meters. These races are among the
highlights of any Icelandic riding event.
The Ideal Family Horse
Because of their resourcefulness and intelligence, as well as their
physical abilities, Icelandic Horses have proved themselves to be
great companions to professional horsemen as well as to more novice
riders and children. There's a great spirit of camaraderie when
one works with these horses and they are known to be dedicated and
trustworthy. They have become very popular on the European continent
in the past 20 years. There are 30,000 to 40,000 purebred Icelandics
living there now. They are the focus of many recreational events at
all levels of skill. Gait competitions, races, picnics and long
treks offer the opportunity to share fun and knowledge with other
horses and riders. Icelandic Horses are also very easy to care
for. They stay healthy and fit with a minimum of fuss and training.
Organization
Twelve national Icelandic Horse federations exist in Europe, plus
a Canadian and an American federation in North America. These
organizations oversee recreational activities, competitions, and
breeding. These are joined together in the International Federation of
Friends of the Icelandic Horse (FEIF). FEIF coordinates activities
on a world wide basis. It has developed competition rules as well as
an international breeding standard. Every two years the FEIF
organizes the European Championship where the best horses from all
member countries compete in gait competitions, cross country events,
and races. In 1987 the U.S.hopes to participate for the first time.
The Icelandic Horse has something to offer everyone and offers it with
a spirit of adventureship and friendship. He is truly a special
animal.
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| 111.4 | Neat critters | CGOO01::LMILLER | hasten slowly | Thu Apr 04 1991 16:01 | 4 |
| They' re neat I went trekking on them for 2 weeks in Scotland.
We have a few in Canada but they are not very common.
I believe once they leave Iceland they cannot return - so it can
be difficult getting breeding stock out of the country.
|
| 111.5 | One of the best breeds... | PETRUS::KIRSCH | | Mon Jul 22 1991 07:02 | 37 |
| Here's an Islandic Horse fan from germany (rider for over 20 years)!
We own an American Quarter Horse gelding (Gizmo) and he's really one of
the best horses I ever had but my biggest wish is to own an Islandic
Horse! I've been working a few weeks on an Islandic Horse farm/breeding
stable in north germany and since then I fell in love with this breed.
I like ponies very much but this sort compares everything in one horse
what I prefer.
Here's my experience:
They're very sensitive, not scared, brave, very fast, vivacious, big
condition (good for distance riding), they're a fried, and the best:
The forth gait, the tolt! You just hear the hoofs clattering on the
ground and upside you feel no tremor at all! It's fantastic and you
can't describe it - you have to feel it.
The young horses are broken with 4 or 5 years, the later the better. I
myself trained thoses young ones and it a pleasure doing that! After
three weeks one mare was ready to ride and developed a super tolt with
high action and a clear tact.
The worst thing is that they're very expansive here in germany. A good
horse starts at DM 8.000,- going up. But as they get very old and you
often are able to ride them until they're 30 years without any problems
so it's worth the money.
We've lots of them here in germany and they're getting even more
popular. We also have more and more other "gait breeds" that means
breeds with more than the normal three ones. They come from all over
the world (eg. greek).
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I'll try to answer
them.
Horsey greetings
Beatrice.
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| 111.6 | Iceland Horse Riders Listening? | RTOMP2::STEFAN_ADMIN | If it can be done, let's do it ... | Wed Mar 02 1994 13:07 | 3 |
| Are here still riders of Iceland Horses in this conference?
Marcus.
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| 111.7 | | STUDIO::BIGELOW | PAINTS; color your corral | Wed Mar 02 1994 14:07 | 4 |
| I have not ridden one in awhile, but I'm still here and I still love
the breed!
Michele
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| 111.8 | Iceland Horses contact | RTOMP2::STEFAN_ADMIN | If it can be done, let's do it ... | Thu Mar 03 1994 13:40 | 27 |
| Michele,
I know that Iceland Horses are not that popular as they are in Europe,
especially in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland itself
of course.
I visited the World Championships in the Netherlands last year, and
there was only 1 rider from USA and a few from Canada.
I am looking for Iceland people here because I have a 17-year old girl
at my barn, who wants to spend her summer vacation 1994 in USA
preferrably with Iceland Horses. (See my note 1856 here) Unfortunatelly
Iceland Horse Ranches are hard to find. I got some copies of EQUUS and
HORSE ILLUSTRATED, but there was nothing about Iceland Horses in it.
I myself own two Iceland Horses (together with my girl-friend). Their
names are a bit strange for US-ears I think: Ljomi fra Ketilsstoedum
and Bliki fra Borganesi. Both are imported from Iceland.
I am also in the management of the local IPZV (Islandpferde Reiter- und
Zuechterverein = Iceland Horses Breeders and Riders Federation). We
have about 500 members in Southern Bavaria. In Germany we are about
10.000 with estimated 30.000 - 40.000 horses.
So I am always interested in new contacts.
Marcus.
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| 111.9 | Is Canada close enough? | DECWET::JDADDAMIO | Seattle Rain Festival: 1/1-12/31 | Thu Mar 03 1994 16:25 | 9 |
| I know of 2 ranches which have Icelandic horses in Canada. One is run
by Robyn Hood, Linda Tellington-Jones' sister and the other is also run
by someone involved with the TTEAM methods. I think they run trekking
vactions for tourists in the summer. One of them might be interested in
some summer help. I'll look up the addresses. Robyn Hood's place is in
western Canada's British Columbia province. I can't remember where the
other is located.
John
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| 111.10 | | STUDIO::BIGELOW | PAINTS; color your corral | Thu Mar 03 1994 17:47 | 23 |
| I just called the one person I knew who was in the business, and who
I've learned all about the breed from...only to find out that she moved
back to Sweden.....Talk about an embarassing phone call!
Sorry I can't be of more help. Perhaph the places that John mentioned
can help. If you need addresses, I probably have some in a folder
at home.
I loved the Icelandics. They are a great trail horse!
What do yours look like?
My favorite was a dappled gray named Grani'. He was 5 gaited. I
almost bought him, but, at the time, I didn't have a place for him.
He has taken me for many great rides over the years for icecream and
Akavite! All of the Icelandics I knew were imported from Iceland
and their dispositions were fantastic!
Take care!
Michele
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| 111.11 | Iceland Horses! | RTOMP2::STEFAN_ADMIN | If it can be done, let's do it ... | Fri Mar 04 1994 12:24 | 16 |
| Re .10:
Michelle,
our two Icelandics are Bliki, a black and white dappled gelding,
4-gaited, and Ljomi, a sorrel, 5-gaited, very very fast. We use Bliki
for just-for-fun-riding and Ljomi for Sport Championships.
Ljomi is only 8 years old. When he will be older, we will maybe try him
for pace races. But that can have not wanted effects to the horses
mind, if you ride it to hard and fast.
I would be glad if you could send be some of the Iceland addresses in
the states. In what area are the most Icelandic Horses?
Marcus.
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