>>> The difference lies in the pick up of the feet. The set down is even in >>> both gaits, >>> but in the running walk, the feet pick up evenly also; in the saddle rack, >>> the feet >>> pick up with the timing more lateral.
The best way I know to distinguish the two is by how they feel in the saddle. Lee's book has a great description of the difference. These are two gaits where the head motion almost always gives a strong clue too, and that's visible from the saddle. So, even though the footfalls sound similar, they are pretty easy to distinguish. Ironically, I think more Icelandic's run-walk than saddle rack when left to their own devices. Sure, some are natural saddle-rackers - Eitill and Skjoni come to mind immediately, and some (Trausti, Sina) offer saddle-rack as one of many easy-gaits they can do. Overall, though, I think foxtrot and running walk are the most common naturally-offered gaits in this breed...and there's nothing at all wrong with that. Karen Thomas, NC
