> Isn't it funny that so many saddles coming out of Iceland do not seem > to fit very many Icelandic horses?
I know you didn't mean it this way, but no, it's not funny that the saddles don't fit the horses. It's been a great disservice to the horse. And a great disservice to the icelandic-style trainers who believe the saddles fit. And a disservice to everyone who is taught by the icelandic-style trainers. And a disservice to the people who have been trying to do right by the horse and get better fitting saddles. Think of the horses who have suffered, are suffering, and will continue to suffer because some people steer newcomers away from places to find good solid saddle fit and training information, in lieu of staying with icelandic-style training and riding. > I've always thought that the > only reason Iceland has gotten away with using such saddles is > because they switch horses so often on a long ride, and their riding > season is so short. That could be. Don't forget, also: [] the breed is pretty stoic [] the training and riding methods lean towards domination and force, versus listening to the horse [] the horses who buck or kick or become lame are slaughtered (so there is no discovery as to the "why" of the behavior, which would lead to knowledge and better practices being brought into use) [] It is not a horse culture to ask questions and look for reasons and answers [] the tight / narrow / poking-in-the-loins saddle accomplished the goal of making the horses gait. Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
