On Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:23:32 -0700, you wrote: >Could it be that there are some Icelandic Horses who do not have backs that >are strong enough to carry riders (or can only carry up to a certain weight >before becoming uncomfortable), so they tend to stiffen up?
Possibly, but to me it seems more likely that they are using the same lateral muscles all the time in a gait that doesn't need engagement of the hindquarters or the back to lift much at all (unlike trot or one of the more square gaits), plus a lot of (Icelandic) stepping pacers I know are mostly ridden by more novice riders, or riders who trail ride and don't school (so the horses are not doing a lot of bends etc to keep them flexible). Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
