>>>> His diagonal timing is closer at liberty, yet not perfect (see attached), >>>> than under saddle.
Studying this horse has been just fascinating to me today - maybe because I know he's not Icelandic, so hopefully we can discuss him openly without anyone taking offense. I've stared at his at-liberty video for a long time, freeze-framing it over and over. I still get a feeling the horse's trot is fine - at least what is innately his. I think (not sure) what kills it is that extra knee action, which I'm sure is from the longer feet and the boots. For a trot to stay purely 100% two-beat, the front and rear legs have to stay parallel - the upper part of the front leg and the lower part of the rear. But, when that "lift" gets so ridiculously high in front, I just don't think the rear can physically stay parallel. Can you have both - a pure trot and that much knee action? I'm not sure you can. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
