> > I think they have got a point though, in a way, in that many of the > > worst excesses in Icelandic horse training have come from Big Lick > > methods. Trouble is, the anti-BL feeling in the USA has not yet > > crossed over as well! > > I just don't understand why people aren't learning from it. See where > other's have gone before and not go there. We still have people > thinking it's fine to 'balance' a gait with weights (to name one > example)...they don't see that as a mechanical device at all. Why is > that?
they get maddern fire ants if you even suggest they are doing anything biglick, and honestly, why would i even brag about something as despicable as this--- I feel like I have seen it all as far as every day trail rider gaited horse "altering with devices" goes. Granted, I have not first hand seen all the many horrific things in biglick soring, but i have seen enough to make me gag. What gets me tho is the every day trail rider stuff everyone, most people, find perfectly acceptable, I did too! And all the icelandic people do too! I did not know until I came to these lists and found Judy, Lee, Liz, people who told me there is a different way. Its not that people are bad... they are ignorant, like I was... when I got my horse he came to me with his own tack, his long shanked bit and advice of how to have his feet done. 45 degrees in the front whatever that means, my farrier I have now was floored. I was told I HAD to use a tie down or he would start rearing. I couldnt ride at all, so i went down the road balancing myself hanging like a huge dead weight on ten inch shanks and no escape from it at all, because the tie down wouldnt even let him rear. Today my jas has chronic spine fistula from bad saddle fit--- people here think you MUST ride a gaited horse in a Tucker saddle, thats just horsemanship 101! no matter HOW he's built and no matter HOW the saddle tree is. I was only able to ride him 6 times all last year, in slow walking 1 or 2 mile parades etc, and lately some real gentle trail rides. His whole gait has changed, which scares me, I dont know if thats good or bad... but when I try and share what I know, man, people just get so hateful! Hey I am the first to admit when I dont know something, and I am here to tell you i KNOW about everyday soring, I have seen it, I have seen horses that have been purposely road foundered to alter gait, long toes, weighted shoes in front, weighted in back, always when I say this some idiot comes out with "my horse has a little weight whats wrong with that...." well nothing if you say you do it to alter gait, just admit it, but dont stand there and tell me your horse NEEDS weighted shoes. Then the icelandic people... we dont use weights, we use bell boots. and to that I respond, heloooo go to www.nationalbridleshop.com. They are the biglick equip dealer. There you can buy the chains, the weighted boots etc and then also, they have these things called "leather action rings for the horse that needs no weight!" they are hard rolled leather rings that every step whaps the coronet band... also those plastic chains do the same thing. Just something to cause a little pain. I have had people tell me Fox would have higher action if I would put some absorbine junior or vicks salve on his coronet band in the front. WHy? On a trail ride! he has a gorgeous to die for running walk! You cant hardly even find a twhbea registered horse today with a natural walk like him, but trail riders mind, you, are wanting me to put caustic chemicals on his coronet band. to alter a perfect gait... And oh lord if i listened to people about my crazy stonewall I would have him in 25 inch shanks with barb wire across the tongue but I would shoot him before I would hurt him. This is just my rant for the day! Janice-- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
