--- IceDog <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
It's not that it is said that horses don't bolt in Iceland but that
it isn't seen as such a big deal to the riders in Iceland.
>
> I think one difference... many of the riders in Iceland grow up on
the back of the horse and a bolting horse doesn't cause the rider
fear that it does in the case of the typical adult beginner here.
>
We all have a comfort zone. I think we're all working to enlarge
our comfort zone.
>
When we're pushed way outside of our comfort zone we become totally
ineffective at controlling the horse, we completely stiffen up and
all we can do is grip the reins. We become unable to give and take
and try to resume a conversation with the horse.
>
> If a bolting horse doesn't push the rider outside of their comfort
> zone they are much more likely to regain control and have a more
pleasant outcome.
>
> I think comfort zones are likely the real explanation between how
> big of an issue we view bolting to be or not.
>
> Cheryl
This is a very good point Cheryl....I wish I could do a relax thing
like the riders there about it, relax and continue with the
conversation, that would be great, then it would not be an issue.
It is funny though, I had a horse who used to be a bad bolter, my
friend bought him at age 5 from Iceland....he was a BIG 14-2 hand
pinto gelding...she used him as her main riding horse for several
years, then Sally purchased him for herself, but she got bored with
him, he was not a typically goey horse, so I started riding him.
Well, he did do a bolting thing when he got nervous or a when he got
scarred (For him that would be a dog landing on his hind legs out of
the bushes....it took a lot to scare him) He would 'bolt' for several
hundred feet, mabye yards...but it was so smooth, and up to that
point we were having a great time and conversation, with him I
maintaqined my cool, and because of it, I was able to do things on
horseback that I have never done before....I stayed calm, and
continued the conversation...with him it was ok...we worked it out,
and we just kept building trust with each other.
On the other hand I have no tolerance for shying horses, Sally can be
relaxed about it, but I just hate it.......
Also, interesting thing about language as Mic was saying about
Icelandic people using the word it, as used their way does not have
the same meaning as ours....just a reminder to give allowances for
the language barriers
Skye
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