I haven't revisited the FIZO breeding rules in a year or so, so I just took another look. Here are a few points I noticed right off the bat:
It says that the average height of mares is 136cm (about 13.1-13.2H) and stallions about 138 cm (about 13.25 or so.) Ok, I believe that. BUT, under breeding GOALS: " Size: The official breeding goal gives room for substantial variation in size. A preferred range in height is 135 cm to 145 cm when measured with a stick." So, that tells me that they DO want to increase the height of the horse, since they want to range to start about where the average mare is now. Under head: "Head: A very beautiful, fine head. Fine, thin ears, well set and not too open. A large, open and alert eye with good bone structure around it. Fine skin and hair. Light jaws with a good gap between them. The nose profile straight and nostrils flared. A proud head." You know, I love my Icelandic's, and I've adjusted my definition of beauty to match the horses I love...but "fine heads"...? I've seen some pretty Icelandic heads, but not many that are truly "fine", and I don't think that's the breed norm. That's ok, too. Under Proportions: The horse should be full of splendour and presence. The legs should be long and the body light and cylindrical in shape with front, middle and hind sections approximately equal. I think I'd reserve the phrases "splendor and presence" for Saddlebreds, or maybe NSH, or show-type Arabs... I don't think that's what comes to my mind when I see Icelandics. I don't even want a "splendid" horse. I want a sound, useful horse. If you look at the older pictures of Icelandic's, you certainly won't see a lot of "fine heads" or "long, very fine necks." As I read somewhere recently, beware of people who want to "improve the breed." I think that applies to all breeds. I'm only on page 8 of 50, and I'm already thinking: I sure hope we don't "improve" the Icelandic right out of the breed. Karen Thomas, NC
