>> I think we have to do-away with the "four gaited" / "five gaited" labels. > They just are not right. > > Or maybe acknowledge that foxtrot and the running walk are naturally > occuring gaits within the Icelandic breed, as well as the racking gaits > (tolt).
I think we are at a great period of time, a break-through period, where we can now acknowledge, without naysayers, that the breed DOES fox trot! > I still am not clear who decided what the Icelandics do naturally is tolt. > When and where did the first definition of what the signature gait of the > breed was appear? Anyone know? Did FEIF come up with it? Just on > personal observation, it seems the breed's gaiting spectrum is all over > the > place -- and always has been. I think a lot of things by FEIF were not logical, nor in the best interests of the breed, nor biomechanically correct. But they just didn't know. They were not horsemen, they didn't have a lot of experience with horses. I believe they just made up rules as they went along, not knowing or understanding the ramifications. And it's still pretty much the same since they have not gone outside of their circle to learn more about horsemanship, gaits, biomechanics, etc. One of them says "the tolt is collected" and looks towards his friend, who says "yes, it is!", and they're all puffed up with themselves, while the rest of the world looks around thinking "who are they trying to kid?!??!" Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
