This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I wanted to reply to your Fjord being clumsy as this is one of the biggest criticisms I hear about the breed from many people. There have been many discussions on this List about tripping, conformation and way of going and how it varies from one horse to another. I guess I am in the camp that attributes conformation and breeding to whether or not the horse moves well and can carry himself with tripping, etc. There is a night and day difference between my two Fjord geldings when it comes to movement and tripping. I would say watch your mare on a longe line with the help of someone knowledgeable to really see how she is moving. Make sure she is shod with a balanced foot and not too much toe. Before you can help her, it is always good to know exactly what she is doing with her feet when she trots and canters. Is she catching her toes, interfering, toeing in or out, etc. Without seeing her, but from how you describe her, she sounds like she does not have enough strength yet in her hind quarters to carry herself and the weight of the rider properly. Weaving around, not paying attention are things horses can do when they are first broke and do not know the aids very well.
Hopefully, you can find a good trainer that can help you get started and your mare will develop some strength and training and be safer for you to ride.
