>>> Eitill could be readied much sooner than Soley I think, as he's younger >>> and, well, thinner, and he DID get some riding the last two years down >>> at Karen's. Hmmm. . . .
When I was going through the list of Icelandic horses in my head today that might have some potential for CTR-and-longer-trail-type sports, Eitill is one of the ones that came to my mind. Why? Because he likes to GO. Not in any crazy, runaway way, but he's got a lot of enthusiasm for going forward to see the world. So does Sina, Skjoni, Saga, and Melnir, but Melnir probably to a lesser degree. I think Runa will be fairly forward in Icelandic terms, but it's too early in her training to know for sure. It's WAY to early to say for sure, but I also think Angie might be more "forward" than some horses - I don't know her fully yet, and we certainly haven't ridden her, but I notice that she moves around more at liberty than some of my horses. I think Tivar has a little enthusiasm for getting out to see the world, but I can't see him going at the forward, quick pace that I can see some of these others - maybe Janice sees him differently though. Beyond these horses though, I think there are some Icelandic's that are, and I hate to use the word, on the lazy side. Nothing wrong with a horse being a little on the lazy side either, if he has a quiet rider who wants or needs that quality. Trausti and Loftur are in no way "forward" kinds of horses. They are great horses for lots of riders (well, assuming that Loftur were perfectly healthy and didn't have his rehab history to overcome...) but it would be a shame for me to promote either of them for jobs they don't have the innate enthusiasm for doing. There are other jobs these horses can fulfill that are more suited to their personalities. Here's another trait I'd think might be a necessity for a good CTR, LD or endurance horse - if the horse will go out alone easily and comfortably. I think MOST horses prefer to ride out with other horses, but let's face it, some are simply not comfortable alone. Nancy, would you put value on that? Karen Thomas, NC
