Some interesting stuff from the FEIF Education Committee meeting which took place in February: "What do we do ‘to put the welfare of the horse first in everything we do?’ 5.1 Comments from National Associations We need to provide more courses to leisure riders, and to promote the qualities and needs of the Icelandic horse. Emphasis on instructors to teach not just riding but also horsemanship! Many weekend courses too ambitious for the 2 days available, and as a result some teaching results in rough practice. All FEIF members need to take more responsibility: instructors, top level riders, judges are all role models Disa reported that there had been a formal request from the sports judges to get help and guidelines from the Education Committee with the aim to be more consistent. Marketing the horse: we need to move away from the image that the Icelandic horse is easy to ride and easy (and cheap) to keep. We should produce a new owners info booklet. We need to discuss and negotiate the question: what is good riding? Lecture series over the winter (a) aimed at instructors and trainers, (b) at club level to general rider. We need good quality and consistent teaching material. Actions: Education Committee – will investigate what educational leaflets at club level events exist, and make them available to other clubs / countries. Ian and Machteld – will formulate a question to Welfare Group to advise the board on behalf of Education Committee on the correct use of riding equipment – why and how? Ian and Machteld – will formulate a question to Welfare Group to advise the board on behalf of Education Committee along the lines: What is the ideal outline of the horse (changes to the Sport judges’ rules could put a correct outline before high leg action)."
Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
