> If someone says an icelandic horse is for sale to a person that
> "understands and appreciates
> Icelandic horses and their culture."
I'm not sure what that means. My horses' culture is American.
I think over the past several years, that we've learned that the Icelandic
Horses in North America deserve to be treated as individuals, and not
necessarily as a group, or as they are treated in Iceland.
In Iceland they don't clip the horses. Here, in some locations, we must
clip.
In Iceland they don't ride without shoes. Except for the three valid
reasons for shoes, barefoot is better for the horse.
In Iceland they don't have a need for riding with finesse. We need to have
a well-trained horse because of our streets, traffic, close proximity to
domestic abodes (watch for that garage door that will open unsuspectingly,
and the three huge dogs that jump up to peer over the block wall as you pass
by).
In Iceland they don't need to know so much about genetics and breeding and
gaits as the horses are more disposable. We need to know as much as
possible, as once a horse is here, we need to take responsibility for it.
In Iceland they don't focus on breeding spavin out of the horses. We need
to do so.
In Iceland they don't worm so often. We need to attend to worming.
In Iceland they don't educate the foals. We need to do so, for a few
reasons, such as making life easier for the foal and for us, and the vet and
farrier, and for the foal's future life as a riding horse.
In Iceland they don't worry about sweet itch. We need to take precautions
for it.
In other words, we can't treat our Icelandic Horses as they are treated in
Iceland. They deserve to be treated according to our, and their,
circumstances.
Judy
http://icehorses.net
http://clickryder.com
