>>> Well I would have to say that I have seen certain Icelandic conformations >>> where they >>> have they neck and it ties into their shoulders in such a way that their >>> head is >>> naturally held high, like these two stud colts in the previous photos. >>> Sallys mare >>> Bylgia has that type of conformation, my old gelding that died 3 years ago >>> had thast >>> type of conformation. I enjoy riding an Icelandic with that type of >>> conformation...their neck is right infront of you when you ride, you are in >>> a deep >>> seat, it is really quite fun.
I do not think the position of the horse's head has a bearing on the rider's deepness of seat - it may give that illusion, but it's only a false sense of security I think. In fact, if the horse's head is high because the horse is hollow-backed - often seen in Icelandic's ridden with a lot of contact - then the horse's back will be tight. Just as with a rider whose joints are stiff, a hollow back removes the shock absorbing spring, and makes for a good "launching pad" - and I don't want to be launched! Now, if you're comparing two horses with inately different conformation, one with a higher neck-set and one with a lower neck-set, then I don't think that really makes much, if any difference, to the rider's seat, assuming each horse's back is similarly relaxed and all other things are pretty much equal. Anyone remember that old Mill Farm Icelandic marketing video? It's a pretty video, not an instructional video in any sense, but the narrator says something in there to the effect that when a horse's head rises and his butt rises to "surround" you, you are "in a deep seat". If the horse's head rises and his butt rises at the same time...doesn't that define hollowness...? Doesn't hollowness tend to have a negative effect on your security in the saddle...? A "deep seat" - is that something that actually looks different to the observer on the ground? I mean literally, does it look like the rider's seat sinks onto the horse? I don't think so. I'd never thought about it, but I always thought "deepness" refers to a feel rather than any particular outward appearance. Yes, you may be able to see that the rider with a good (deep) seat looks more balanced, more confident, more secure, but I don't think the appearance changes so literally in the physical realm. Any thoughts? Karen Thomas, NC
