>>> How can we promote the breed as a usable horse for riders in North America? What would be ways to make the breed seem more familiar, user-friendly, and functional?
I think it would help to show them doing things that American riders like to do, in ways that American riders like to do them. Sure, there is no "typical" American rider, but I see one major difference in the way Icelanders seem to want to promote the horse - as a hot horse, always running around. In the USA, there are plenty of hot breeds, and I know oodles of people who own hot horses (innately hot, or hot due to some issues) who would do anything in the world to calm their horse down so that they could safely enjoy them. I swear sometimes, it seems like the Icelanders, at least the trainers/show people, want to take calm horses and make them hot, where that's NOT what most Americans want. If you don't believe me, go to a Parelli weekend or some such. There frequently seems to be an attitude when this subject comes up, that Icelandic's are EITHER hot and goey, OR cold, grandma horses. I think there are a lot of American riders who know better than that. A horse that is willing to step forward and do his job does not have to be lazy or dull, nor does he have to be crazy and unsafe. When I found Sina, I was absolutely ecstatic that I'd found a horse that I didn't have to beg to move forward, a horse who had some energy and forwardness, but who was also sane, sensible, safe and trainable to the extreme. I honestly think I've seen more of this profile within this breed than in any other breed that I've encountered. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
