--- "Judy Ryder" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I think a lot of people do not get the Quarterly. > > Is this the type of bit used (attached)? > > (if you can't see the picture, go here) > http://iceryder.net/icelandicbit.html >
I'm surprised you say a lot of people don't belong to the U.S. Icelandic Horse Congress. They publish the Icelandic Horse Congress Quarterly Magazine as a benefit of membership, they maintain the U.S. Icelandic Registry, and they are the only U.S. Association allowed to represent Icelandics in the International Association. Wouldn't most folks who own a registered Icelandic in the U.S. want to belong to this? Or Judy, were you thinking mostly of non-U.S. owners/enthusiasts who belong to this group? Anyway, yes the picture you attached is the bit I see in the photos. Yikes, I was giving the Icelanders the benefit of the doubt since I didnt' know what the bit was. I was thinking maybe the shank was a decorative piece, sort of like an elongated snap, that didn't influence the bit action, but no! The Icelander trainer at the place I bought my horse used only french link snaffles on all the Iceys. I use one too but also have a Dr. Cook's bitless crossover bridle. Mostly I find she responds to my weight shifts and mental intent and I only need the reins when she gets excited about something. My local riding friends, who own Tennessee Walkers, Arabs and Quarter Horses all freak out at the idea of a bitless bridle and like the "security" of a "stronger" bit. One uses a gag bit (heaven help us), one a double twisted wire snaffle, another a long shank western bit. A good friend, who is actually a good and gentle rider, wouldn't ride my Fjord with the eggbutt snaffle bit I use on her, insisting on using her own long-shanked bit "for the security". All we did is walk and jog and she barely touched the bit so it didn't matter, but I wish I had insisted on my own bridle. I did notice that most places I went to look at Iceys (all but one were non-Icelandic trainers) used the drop noseband. I bought one for that reason and always keep it loose but often wondered why I thought it necessary at all and plan to stop using it altogether. Thanks for answering my question.
