>What I don't understand is why they are exported to places where they are
>not "needed". Why on earth does someone arrange an icetölt in an indoor
>arena? <
Hi Krisse,
We are on the same page there. I don't get it either. And further, I
don't get why people in other countries (like the US) think this type of
indoor circus event is fostering a positive image both for the fanciers of
the breed and the horses themselves. It just makes "us" look like we
don't give a fig about our horses and they need a cheap gimmick to be
noticed or impressive. I mean, won't ANY horse be able to run around on
ice if you nail the right ice caulks on?? The Icelandic breed can't tolt
on ice without the "ice nails", so it's not like the breed has specially
evolved feet which enable it to do so or something. And we have all these
lovely indoor arenas around the country with nice, normal footing on which
to hold winter events.
It's all a matter of applying traction devices -- just like people did in
the horse and buggy days during the winter when they had to in order to get
around. I don't see the "fantastic-ness" of it at all, but lots of
non-horsemen find it amusing to watch I guess.
-- Renee M. in Michigan
