I've said this before, but I'll say it again. I think that, as a breed, Icelandic's are a pretty unique breed and they are very special to me. However, I can't think of any single trait where I think they are sooo terribly different from other breed horses. Instead, I see that they have - in general - many minor differences/idiosyncrasies that accumulate and make them seem different overall, in a good, "special" way. And of course, not all individuals in this breed have all these idiosyncrasies. Simply put, I think they are horses/ponies first, Icelandic's second.
Every horse, no matter what breed, needs to be managed, handled and trained for the unique individual that he/she is. Any trainer/owner/farrier/vet/rider who uses that sort of reasoning won't have any trouble working with an Icelandic. We don't need special trainers, we don't need special vets, we don't need special farriers, and we don't need special nutrition. We need GOOD trainers, GOOD vets, GOOD farriers, and GOOD nutrition... Why do I say this? Because I get involved in situations with these horses, stories that don't make it to the list. I've taken in a few rehabs/recsues - I have one more who will be here later this week, God willing, but she doesn't sound like TOO big of a challenge. I tried to get another recently, and I haven't been able to make it happen, and I'm really sick about that one. I've lost sleep over that pony that got away. So, without going into more detail than necessary, I will say that a large part of my frustration with these situations is typically because someone treated these horses as "sooo" different. Yes, many Icelandics are stoic...but not all are. Sina and Tivar certainly aren't, and neither is Kari. Many Icelandic's are easy keepers...but Trausti isn't and neither are some others. Many Icelandic's "tolt" - but some don't. (Ok, actually I don't think many literally "tolt" of their own choosing, but most will do some soft gait.) Many Icelandics are very brave - but some aren't so bombproof. A few have a good bit of energy - but a notable number are quiet, even "lazy." Some can carry a good bit of weight - but many can't carry so much very easily. Do I primarily need to think of my special horse, Sina, as being an Icelandic - or as being a horse/pony? I want her to get the best health care, the right saddle, the best farrier care, the best nutrition that ANY horse or pony can have. I can easily think of 50 specific examples where the "Icelandic's are sooo different" mentality has seriously hurt a horse - sometimes even put him/her over into rehab/rescue status. I honestly can't think of many cases where treating them like horses - using GOOD horsemanship, veterinary practices, sensible training methods, dealing with the specific horse in front of you at the moment - has ever hurt a horse. Sure, any sort of rote, follow-the-book approach isn't going to work with all horses...of any breed. I hope every horse of every breed gets the care and handling that he/she deserves. Since I still have hopes of getting my hands on the rehab who just got away, I can't say too much specifically, so bear with me for speaking in generalities. Icelandic's are special to me. But they really aren't THAT different in any one single way that I can think of. I've essentially gone out of the breeding business...but what I REALLY want to do is go out of the rehab business. Sadly, I don't see that happening any time soon. PLEASE, for the sake of the horses, be careful when you jump out to claim differences in this breed that may not be real. It often sets people up to ignore the commonsense practices used with other horses/ponies. Our horses deserve the same commonsense/common knowledge treatment that other horses in good homes receive. Setting them up so people think they are so different isn't doing them any favors... Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.6/1150 - Release Date: 11/24/2007 5:58 PM
