>> The registry website says that there are currently 1800 registered >> Icelandic Horses. > > How many Icelandics are actually here? How many geldings owners > register their icelandics?
I suspect some geldings aren't registered, and there have been quite a few problems with breeders and importers (and exporters) getting their paperwork done. Incredible that situations like that would happen with such expensive horses. In regard to the breeders, I think several went into the breed looking to make fast easy money, then got stuck with a bunch of young stock that they couldn't sell. There have been quite a number of herd dispersals and auctions. At one time, we compiled a list, just out of curiosity, of breeders that were in and out of the breed within a few years. Some of the 1800 registered horses are dead, as few people notify the registry when their horse has passed away. I would guess that there are many Icelandics out there without papers, but they don't count in the registry, so not much to do there. The breed has not grown much in North America since it's importation. I think the marketing is way off, and it is not represented well in demos. Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
