On Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:57:49 -0500, you wrote: >BUT, especially if you are a beginner or timid rider, you really do need to >consider how the horse was handled at an early age, and how he/she was started >under saddle. If the horse wasn't handled much as a baby, and if she/he were >started with forced riding, then you may well see remnants of that early start >for a long, long time.
I agree up to a point, but I have to add that I've got horses that were imported from Iceland where they were not handled at all as youngsters then had a "fast and dirty" training, which are, and always have been, quiet, friendly, calm and as bombproof as a horse can be. On the other hand, I've got a British-bred one here on livery who had constant handling right from birth, and it's still impossible to catch her in the field if she doesn't feel like it.... and when you have caught her, she's extremely sensitive and wary. Go figure. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
