I'm going to take these line by line:
>>>".... correctly tolting horse first had to go through the High School training. Only then was the horse free enough in the forehand, only then could he carry himself sufficiently on the haunches so that he could be faultlessly and cleanly trained in tolt." Is Hempfling naïve enough to think that placing a saddle too far back and hauling on the reins gets a horse "off the forehand"? WHAT "high school"? Because if he's talking about "high school" as in "haute ecole" dressage (a la Spanish Riding School) I have NEVER seen an Icelandic who's done that. In fact, high school dressage will more likely encourage trot - counter to the goal of gaiting. I don't know what he's talking about...and I suspect he doesn't either. >>>> "....I have never met a tolting horse whose rider I could proclaim innocent of any 'underhand' actions. It is only because so many use dubious training methods,...." Ouch. It hurts to hear that one. I suspect, as others have said, that he simply has seen the show people....but if that's all he's dealt with, then what right does he have to make such statements? I seriously doubt he's seen an Icelandic who gaits without the show-training influences. I wonder if he's ever heard of, or seen, an Icelandic who freely run walks or foxtrots, or saddle racks...? I guess we should give him credit for having the guts to say that. >>>"...I have not heard of anyone, least of all a professional, who could do justice to the task." (training tolt) I don't know what he meant by that...maybe that's ok. I don't think tolt should be "trained" - "honed" or "refined" might be better words. >>> He also says that Icelandics being from the character type he calls the 'Origin' is anything but easy to work with, is strong-willed and not a childs or beginners horse. Well, you'd better rush out and sell Gat then, Virginia. One more time - what defines a child's horse? What defines a child? A three-year-old on a leadline with a sidewalker, or a competent 12 year old who's fearless and been riding for 5+ years? Karen Thomas, NC
