Finally recovered enough to write something.... Well, it was quite a surprise. First, no accidents, all horses and riders fine thank goodness. Second, the horses did NOT appear stressed (or at least no more than at any competition), several people didn't use boots or nosebands, one was bitless and treeless and all in all I was pretty pleasantly surprised.
I felt several horses legs when they came off the ice - and a while afterwards - and there was no sign of trauma (swelling or heat). They took it steady on the corners, all of them - when one got a bit too enthusiastic the speaker (an Icelander) immediately told them to be more careful. They showed slow and medium tolt, with a bit of faster tolt (not full speed) on the long sides only. No sparklers/fire/other gimmicks. The first time they went on the ice, most of the horses were given a loose rein as they stepped down about 3 inches from rubber matting on to the ice itself. They all looked, but only one was at all concerned and apparently he's a horse that hates puddles so the owner wasn't surprised. Only one slipped at all (hind feet only) during the practise session, and he was taken straight off as he obviously wasn't happy. When his shoes were checked by the on-site farrier it turned out his studs had been put in the wrong place. We had 1200 spectators who all seemed to enjoy it. We had an RSPCA inspector (who also enjoyed it) along with the Blue Cross horse ambulance in case of emergencies, and a British Master Farrier, and a vet, on site all the time. I know this won't be a popular view, but I can't see it was a problem. There are photos on http://www.icetolt.co.uk/results.htm Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
