Re: [IceHorses] Saddle Fit
http://iceryder.net/saddlefitting2.html Here's another set of pictures: http://iceryder.net/saddlefitting3.html Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
Re: [IceHorses] SE Blankets
On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:29:28 -0500, you wrote: i dont know if it is a real boett or just a knock off boett but it looks like one. It's a knock-off. You can see all about them on www.solva-icelandics.co.uk/sweet1.htm For currency conversion, see www.xe.com It's the postage to the US which is the killer. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
[IceHorses] saddle fit
I reread this article after watching those wonderful videos. It is on Janice'swebsite. Janice sold me Ofeig. I noticed that poor saddle fit a causes stumbling. When I noticed marks on Corries numnah I got the saddle fitter out and she fitted a wider gullet. I can't say there is an improvement yet. I think these articles are very informative. I have a couple of books about the horses back and saddle fit. I haven't been able to make sense of them yet but I might just have a reread of them now. I wonder what you all think of these articles and the trapezius saddle. Sue UK http://www.icelandichorses.co.uk/Trapezius.htm http://www.icelandichorses.co.uk/saddle_fit.htm
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle Fit
By a remarkable coincindence, a friend sent the following link to me. http://www.hestakaup.com/content/view/59/97/ In these videos, a master saddle maker compares the musculature and skeleton of Icelandics to other horse breeds. I really enjoyed that set of videos too - great videography and the guy seemed knowledgeable. This is a great topic, since Icelandic's are typically difficult saddle fit subject. I don't think we can discuss the fine points of this topic too often - it's complicated and it is SO important. Just a word of caution however about the above quote: when he talked about the conformation of Icelandic's (and Arabs...and QH...) I wondered which Icelandic's he's talking about. I have Icelandic's in my pasture that go from one extreme to another on some of the traits he discussed, particularly the shoulders and humerus. Did you notice that he started off with the assumption that Icelandic's are different because of the need to lift their legs to get gait? Horses do not need to lift their front legs in order to gait - many gaited horses are relatively flat movers, in fact. If you caught what the guy said, apparently he works with a lot of Saddlebreds, a breed known for their show ring knee action, much of which is manipulated, and that's not what most of us want. Many Icelandic's don't have a lot of knee action, and their shoulder and humerus angles show it - possibly even the majority? What he said may have been valid for the horses who fit that conformation mold, but there are many who don't. I personally prefer the horses that have more reach compared to lift in front - I think that's more efficient for trail horses, and I have no interest in showing. Again, I liked much of what the guy had to say, but everyone, including professionals, should be very careful about generalizing. I'd hate to see someone fit their saddle based on the horse's knee action - when we know that knee action can be faked with boots, hoof angles and shoes. I think we want to unravel the cycles that are from human-imposed fads and do what's actually best for the horse. I didn't really get the feeling that this saddle fitter would necessarily do that, but I'm just concerned about the impression. (Runa and Melnir are pretty much opposite as can be when it comes to shoulder angles, and reach with their front legs, and I have about every combination in the middle too...) Karen Thomas, NC
Re: [IceHorses] Trail Rider - conformation and gait
On Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 7:20 PM, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This month's issue of Trail Rider has a great article - if you don't subscribe, you should try to pick it up at your tack or feed store. It was really funny - I started reading the article - not paying attention to who wrote it - and was very excited to see that here was someone who really understood gaits, what a surprise - and then I looked at the author :-)) -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) Yet when all the books have been read and reread, it boils down to the horse, his human companion, and what goes on between them. - William Farley
[IceHorses] SAVE MAMMOTH CAVE TRAILS
To help SAVE MAMMOTH CAVE TRAILS visit this link http://roguediamond.com/mammoth.html Raven Lucy Molly, the Girl Doggies Huginn Dixie Chick, the Back Behind the Barn Ponies Maggie Rose, the cat who makes me sneeze http://www.myspace.com/iceponygoddess Respect ALL Earthlings. We are all animals of this planet. We are all creatures.
Re: [IceHorses] saddle fit
I wonder what you all think of these articles and the trapezius saddle. http://www.icelandichorses.co.uk/Trapezius.htm http://www.icelandichorses.co.uk/saddle_fit.htm Janice was on the list for several years. Did she touch on the length of the saddle and where it ends? Some Icelandics have very short backs, so there is limited room for the saddle and a rider's butt. It is what it is. Not all Icelandics will be able to have a treed saddle, and not all Icelandics will be able to carry bigger riders. Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
[IceHorses] Hylling
Here's a couple of photos from Katja in Germany: Feet in the bucket: http://www.hylling.de/bild/080315-415a.jpg Platform: http://www.hylling.de/bild/080217-35.jpg For practical use, putting the feet in a bucket may be required at some time for medical reasons. But even without practical use for any behavior, working on asking your horse to put his feet where you would like to have them, and getting cooperation from the horse, is a good thing to do. Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
[IceHorses] Sally Swift / Centered Riding
Sally Speaks: What Centered Riding Means to Me It gives me great pleasure to be able to speak with you directly through this monthly eNewsletter. I know that you are going to like the educational information that you will be receiving about Centered Riding over the coming months and, hopefully, for many years to come. Ever since I was a tiny girl, I have loved horses. My first introduction to riding a horse came when I was only two or three years old. Back then, the garbage man came along with a horse and wagon to collect the trash. My mom and I would wait by the window and rush out to see him as he arrived in front of our house. The excitement would well up inside of me as I ran out the front door and journeyed down the front path to see my four-legged friend. Up they would lift me to sit on the garbage man's horse. Of course, I didn't go anywhere, but just sitting on his back brought such a thrill! It imprinted a memory that would never be forgotten for the next ninety-three years. Who would have known back then that my rendezvous with the garbage man would be a sign of good things to come! Some sixty-three years later, at the age of 65, my love of horses inspired me as I started teaching the concepts of what is now known as Centered Riding. Upon my retirement from my job with the Holstein Association of America, I began to teach riding to my friends. Before long, I was traveling up and down the east coast teaching many people. Now the teachers I taught are teaching new teachers across the United States, Canada and in many European countries. Centered Riding has brought so much meaning to my life over the last thirty years. Now, at almost 95 years of age, I live with great satisfaction and pride, feeling that I have accomplished what I set out to do. I am blessed with the feeling that my life and my dreams have come full circle. It warms my heart when I receive correspondence from people all over the world, sometimes from young children, telling me what a difference Centered Riding has made to them as teachers, riders and for their horses. Centered Riding is not about lofty ideals or selling books. For me, Centered represents all that is good in today's world, and the people I have come to know through this centered journey have become my friends and family. As I write this today, I realize that Centered Riding was my vision of what can be when we tear down the human armor and give a little of ourselves to one another and our four legged friends. The Basics of Centered Riding By Sally Swift, Founder of Centered Riding In 1985, my first book Centered Riding was published by Trafalgar Square. I am so pleased that my book is now published in fourteen different languages. Together with my second book, Centered Riding II - Further Explorations, more than 600,000 copies have been sold worldwide! Centered Riding is an innovative way of expressing the classical principles of riding using body awareness, centering and imagery. You can use Centered Riding for all seats and styles of riding. Centered Riding is based on a knowledge of human and horse anatomy, balance, movement and on understanding how the mind affects the body and both affect the horse. Centered Riding is based upon four basics as follows: [] Soft Eyes. Soft eyes encourage visual and physical awareness, better peripheral vision, and improved feel. [] Breathing. Proper breathing involves using the diaphragm for better posture, relaxation and energy. [] Centering. Using the center of balance, movement and control located deep in the body gives quiet strength, harmony and power. [] Building Blocks (Balance). Using building blocks aligns the rider's body with the horse's body for improved balance, straightness, and ease of movement. These four basics, along with clear intent (for effective control, direction and use of aids) and grounding (for stability and balance) promote freedom of movement, confidence and harmony between horse and rider. Applying these basics to any discipline can help solve many problems riders will encounter. Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
Re: [IceHorses] saddle fit
On Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:27:14 -, you wrote: I wonder what you all think of these articles and the trapezius saddle. Sue UK http://www.icelandichorses.co.uk/Trapezius.htm I had Trapezius saddles for many years and like them a lot. The only downside is that they are pretty long, and the twist is fairly narrow so some riders don't find them comfortable, but most horses seem to like them a lot. The ones that DON'T like them let you know immediately... Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] Hylling
For practical use, putting the feet in a bucket may be required at some time for medical reasons. A friend I ride with said she rode NATRC a couple of time and still remembers that another rider scored very well because after the ride, she put each of her horse's four feet in a bucket of ice. Nancy
[IceHorses] Quote
People think that freedom means abolishing all barriers. but it's possible to be free within a certain framework. A meadow, for example, is a limited space. But within its limits, the horse can frolic and leap about as he pleases, especially because it offers him security. ~Frederic Pignon Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
[IceHorses] saddle fit
Now nobody is allowed to laugh. I just got an e-mail from my daughter asking if she could borrow a saddle pad because the Skito she's using is making a bald spot on Meridian's back and she hasn't had time to replace it. She's a teacher and it's conference week. To me that sounds like an issue beyond a worn out pad. What do you think? Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] saddle fit
On 21/03/2008, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To me that sounds like an issue beyond a worn out pad. What do you think? I'd say so. To me that would be like wearing a new pair of socks in a bad pair of shoes. Wanda
Re: [IceHorses] SE Blankets
On Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 4:44 AM, Mic Rushen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:29:28 -0500, you wrote: It's the postage to the US which is the killer. And it would be the same to Canada? I don't need a SE blanket but it's always good to know where to buy one if I ever do. V
[IceHorses] Re: saddle fit
Did she touch on the length of the saddle and where it ends? Some Icelandics have very short backs, so there is limited room for the saddle and a rider's butt. It is what it is. Not all Icelandics will be able to have a treed saddle, and not all Icelandics will be able to carry bigger riders. I think that's why she sold me Ofeig. That was the reason she gave for not keeping her. I will have a job getting a saddle that fits us both. Sue UK
[IceHorses] Re: Quote
People think that freedom means abolishing all barriers. but it's possible to be free within a certain framework. A meadow, for example, is a limited space. But within its limits, the horse can frolic and leap about as he pleases, especially because it offers him security. ~Frederic Pignon I like this. Freedom is about choice IMO. Choice is about making decisions. The framework needs to be workable so that the decision making does not become either too constricted or so vast that it is stressful. Make the right decision easy for the horse but allow enough choice so the horse feels good about it. How it works with kids. 'Were going to te cinema today', or 'Where do you want to go today?' vs 'do you want to go to the cinema, theme park or shopping mall?' I don't think I've done a good job of explaining that. Hit send anyway Sue UK
Re: [IceHorses] SE Blankets
On Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:30:41 -0300, you wrote: And it would be the same to Canada? 'Fraid so. Cheapest post is about $60 if the parcel weighs more than 2kg. For the smaller rugs (0 - 4) which are less than 2 kg it's not so bad as I can now send them via the ordinary Post Office so it's around $36. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] It's supposed to be Spring
So there I was walking around, the wind pushing me, the snow blowing..it's supposed to be Spring! Virginia, I have no appropriate words. I will not complain again today about tonight's freeze warning. The sun is shining after several days of rain. Maybe the mud will begin to dry out. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] It's supposed to be Spring
On Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 1:35 PM, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have no appropriate words. Haha! At least my Icelandics won't need clipping for a while. I just find it weird reading all the emails about SE when I'm in a snowstorm. V
Re: [IceHorses] How we handle pasture
On Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 9:59 AM, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You will find about as many methods of managing horses and pasture as you will find owners, but we finally left our flat irrigated farm land for a hay field and put the horses/ponies on the dry hillside. Well, at this point I'm wondering about my snow filled pasture...hubby says he could always plow a track inside. V
[IceHorses] Re: Saddle Fit
--- In IceHorses@yahoogroups.com, Judy Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What type of saddle do you have? Can you send pictures of it on Blessi? Hello Judy, I will have someone at the stable take some pictures when the saddle comes back from the saddle reflocker. Thanks for the offer. Blessi's stiffness was very slight and it has gone away. I stopped using the uneven saddle until it gets reflocked. We did some exercises for flexibility on the stiff side. Luckily we noticed the problem when it was very subtle before it developed into something serious. Yesterday, Blessi and I spent some time with a saddle fitter who was able to evaluate the one saddle (which I have stopped using and am going to sell). Druing the past few rides using this saddle, Blessi had started some head tossing behavior which is very out of character for him. - The saddle seemed to fit at the withers nicely without a rider but definitely pinches a bit at the withers when I sat in the saddle. - Plus the saddle extends a bit beyond Blessi's last rib. I was very surprised when she traced the rib up to the spine how little space there is for saddle. - When she took her hand and ran it between Blessi's back and the saddle, there was less room near the center of the saddle. This would make it difficult for Blessi to raise his back. - The saddle had very pronounced thigh blocks. As shorter, rounder person on a short, round horse, my legs were forced out to the side which makes posting and lateral work more difficult more challenging. Note slightly taller riders really like this feature but it was too much thigh block for my confirmation. There were some positive points about the saddle such as the saddle having a wide gullet. After exercise, the sweat patterns were even indicating even overall pressue, etc. Plus the seat was very comfortable for me. It was great having a really experienced person check this out. On a superficial examination, the saddle seemed to be ok--even a decent fit. However good saddle fit seems to be a matter of degrees and subtleties.
Re: [IceHorses] Sound Horse Conference Summary
On 3/18/08, Judy Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: SOUND HORSE CONFERENCE SUMMARY This is the first national conference to focus on ending soring of horses, being held April 11 and 12, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. This is going on same time as the Equine Affaire is in Columbus -- Anna Southern Ohio
[IceHorses] What Gait / Netuno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD65pC8ZMEk Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
Re: [IceHorses] What Gait / Netuno
--- Judy Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD65pC8ZMEk Looks like a step pace to me most of the time. Susan in NV http://desertduty.blogspot.com/ Riding for Breast Cancer Awareness Nevermore Ranch http://users.oasisol.com/nevermore/ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
[IceHorses] OT - Igloos for chickens
http://omlet.us/homepage/homepage.php Virginia Tupper NB, Canada
Re: [IceHorses] How we handle pasture
On 21/03/2008, Virginia Tupper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Well, at this point I'm wondering about my snow filled pasture...hubby says he could always plow a track inside. Kevin finally did that last winter and again this past winter. He also blew out the trails with the snowblower. It really helps with the footing AND helps dry the trails up a little faster in the spring. Our problem this past winter was that the temps never seemed to rise above -10 from about mid-December on...and if they were higher...then we had a gale force wind. Bad winter all in all.. But yes, ploughing trails helps... Wanda
Re: [IceHorses] Trail Rider - conformation and gait
It was really funny - I started reading the article - not paying attention to who wrote it - and was very excited to see that here was someone who really understood gaits, what a surprise - and then I looked at the author :-)) That's the way it is with Liz, and was with Lee - their work simply holds up to logic and scrutiny, and it just plain makes sense. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [IceHorses] It's supposed to be Spring
On 21/03/2008, Virginia Tupper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: So there I was walking around, the wind pushing me, the snow blowing..it's supposed to be Spring! I hear you. Tonight when I went to feed, I watched the horses negotiating a frozen pond in the middle of their paddock.. Gusti will go a mile out of his way to avoid walking in it. The others however are just fine with it. They certainly tiptoe over it when it's frozen though Wanda also waiting for spring
Re: [IceHorses] saddle fit
On Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 10:24 AM, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Now nobody is allowed to laugh. I just got an e-mail from my daughter asking if she could borrow a saddle pad because the Skito she's using is making a bald spot on Meridian's back and she hasn't had time to replace it. She's a teacher and it's conference week. To me that sounds like an issue beyond a worn out pad. What do you think? Nancy around here, in spring, when winter coat starts shedding, all the little fungi spots start showing. I didnt know Jas had a ringworm on his behind until I did him with the shedding comb last weekend. It was hidden under all the hair. Janice -- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
Re: [IceHorses] How we handle pasture
the way we handle pasture is we lie prone in it blubbering and weeping in sublime exhileration over every tiny blade... and its doing so good now!!! yay Janice -- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
[IceHorses] Janice's book
Janice, what's the link to your book again? I want to order a couple... Thanks Wanda -- Save the earth, it's the only place to get chocolate.
Re: [IceHorses] How we handle pasture
On 21/03/2008, Janice McDonald [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: the way we handle pasture is we lie prone in it blubbering and weeping in sublime exhileration over every tiny blade... and its doing so good now!!! yay Janice I'm going to start putting the horses in the riding arena they can clean out any area in a matter of days. I want to keep the grass and weeds down in there. Amazingly we have green grass sprouting where the snow has melted. Wanda
[IceHorses] Scooter the Mini
Here's Scooter, who belongs to a friend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW4e4HRUNUs Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle Fit
http://www.hestakaup.com/content/view/59/97/ In these videos, a master saddle maker compares the musculature and skeleton of Icelandics to other horse breeds. I really enjoyed that set of videos too - great videography and the guy seemed knowledgeable. The best thing we can do for our horses is to educate ourselves so that they do not suffer for our ignorance. On that note, exposing ourselves to new information is not the end of the journey. The next step that anyone needs to know to further their education is to know how to determine if what they see and hear and read is true. That step gives you the basis to make an informed decision for yourself and your horse. It's not a point of believing what any one person says. Don't don't automatically buy into what Judy or Karen or Kaaren or Mic or Thor or Ragnar or Gudrun or Sally or Martha or Pat or any clinician or trainer or judge says; don't take for granted that the absolute truth is spoken by any one person. Do the homework to find out whatever you need to know to determine what input is relevant to your horse, find background information, study the subject from different sources, etc. Here's some additional information about sitting positions and saddle fit: http://esiforum.mywowbb.com/forum1/188-2.html Scroll down to the lower 1/4 of the page, to the post with the video. Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
Re: [IceHorses] It's supposed to be Spring
So there I was walking around, the wind pushing me, the snow blowing..it's supposed to be Spring! It is so beautiful though. It is getting too hot here already. 80 degrees. Lorraine Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
Re: [IceHorses] Scooter the Mini
Here's Scooter, who belongs to a friend: Oh my gosh how cute. But not as cute as my Scooter. Lorraine Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
[IceHorses] What Gait / Netuno
Another Mangalarga Marchador: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on2e0QKe6a4 Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
