>>>> If that is what he is saying, I would agree.....we have many Icelandics here that round pen methods just do not work the same way as with other horses.....
There are also other breed horses that, for whatever reason, round pen methods don't work so well. And other horses that round pen methods may work, but may not be the most effective way of doing things. I'm not a big fan of lots of "round penning" for any horse, when that means moving them around until the handler decides they could come to him. I have used the round pen in a few cases, for a few horses...even for two Icelandic's. But, I only use it when I think it's needed for a specific reason, and not for any long periods. Someone, Kim, maybe? Said that what Icelandic's need is good horsemanship. I think that's what all horses need. I sometimes think some trainers are so accustomed to "hot" horses - most TB, most Warmbloods, many Arabs, even some QH's - that I believe they'd have trouble adapting to any quieter, more stoic horse...that would include a quiet QH, like Cruise, and certainly a gentle TWH like our Mac was, as well as many Icelandic's. A good horseman should be able to read the horse in front of him, without relying on breed generalities. Karen Thomas, NC
