>>> how can anybody say icelandics dont canter. Thats just bizarre. I have >>> some video of nasi cantering at liberty on youtube. he canters everywhere. >>> Tivar canters. whats up with people saying they cant??!?
Because your horses are pretty much natural, Janice, left to do what they do intuitively. Mine canter too, all the time, at liberty and under saddle. But, I have several evaluations and show videos. In a couple of the evaluation videos, you can actually hear the judges' comments. The most common comment I hear is, "needs more speed" no matter what the gait. When I see those videos, I realize that it's not skill or training, or finesse skills that are high priorities in ITSR...it's speed and "showiness." That's not for me and it's not for my horses. I love a good canter, and since I have had he luxury of having mostly green or unstarted Icelandic horses, I take full advantage of it. Karen Thomas, NC
