>>>> --- In [email protected], "Nancy Sturm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:> I bought two Icelandics in January. Both "gait" at liberty and on the longe line. The question - and I understand you can't see any of these three horses - could I assume that the Icelandic's tolt is the same gait as my TWH's rack? Nancy
Tolt is the Icelandic word for rack, so maybe. Just remember that gaited horses are all individuals and just because someone assigned an "official" breed gait, doesn't mean that's what the horse will do. As with any gaited breed, some Icelandic's will mainly trot, some will mainly pace, some will mainly do the soft gaits to the trotty side of the spectrum, while others will mainly do the soft gaits to the lateral side...and some will have the full range of gaits at their disposal. Just about any combination of the above is possible. More than you wanted to know...? Don't worry too much just now. All the soft gaits can be pleasant for trail riders, and gaited horses have to be started in the basics just like any horse. They all have to learn steering, stopping, going, flexing, relaxation, balance...You can concentrate on this while simply observing what gaits your horses offer you, then you can decide later what you need to do (if anything) to help them balance and stay in gait. If you take it one step at a time, it's really not TOO complicated. Karen Thomas, NC
