RE: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle rack - Skjoni
Exactly and he is so easy gaited, we actually found his trot very smooth as well. Very little suspension and hard to post to because it is so smooth. Would you say you ever see some fox trot in him ? Yes, I think we've isolated about every gait in him. Cary does take an occasional lesson on him, just to try to learn a little more - and that is a testament to how much he loves that horse. Until he got Skjoni, it was a struggle to get Cary to do that sort of thing. I do try to ride him once in a while, just to practice the other gaits too. >>> Skjoni found in Cary a quiet, laid back but competent rider - a great match for both. What Cary lacks in being an "educated" rider, he certainly compensates for by being a relaxed and confident rider. It's pretty cool now, that we can actually split our responsibilities with the horses. He's the personality to take the young horses out on their first solo rides on the trail - me, I still can remember too vividly being on the ground alone waiting for someone to find me after my accident, so I make no pretense of riding alone...maybe someday. He has very little interest in distinguishing gaits, except the minimal amount to keep his beloved Skjoni healthy. He did a lot of the initial work (ok - play would be a better word!) with the foals last year. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle rack - Skjoni
Hi Karen, >>>Yes, to all of the above. I think he's built to rack - I don't think it would take much at all to move him over to a true rack, but his saddle rack is sooo nice, why bother? Exactly and he is so easy gaited, we actually found his trot very smooth as well. Very little suspension and hard to post to because it is so smooth. Would you say you ever see some fox trot in him ? Skjoni found in Cary a quiet, laid back but competent rider - a great match for both. Robyn Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com
RE: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle rack - Skjoni
Cary is doing a terrific job with him and I noticed in the video that he is really working to stay in 'neutral' and not sit on his pockets. Looks really good. Oh, thanks, I forgot to mention that the first time. The phrase that Sue Falkner March (at your Centered Riding clinic) used that was so effective for Cary was, "zip your jacket." I say that to him occasionally - not really very often - and he immediately sits up straight, without being too stiff. Such a simple thing, but it works! He has trouble with his hips and knees, so his legs still tend to stay slightly in front of him, but since he's so much more aware of his upper body position now, I don't think it's a huge deal. Besides, I'm so old and banged up myself, who am I to lecture?! :) Karen Thomas, NC
RE: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle rack - Skjoni
He is a super horse. He is also one of those horses that tends to have a natural 'hold' in his neck and one of the things we worked on when he was here was for him to stretch his neck down and forward. If you ride him on tight contact he just gets tense. Yes, to all of the above. I think he's built to rack - I don't think it would take much at all to move him over to a true rack, but his saddle rack is sooo nice, why bother? Cary loves his saddle rack, and he doesn't care to trot...but, in fairness to Cary, I have to admit that they probably walk for about 80-85% of the riding they do, on a very loose rein. And Cary will get off and walk beside him sometimes. I wish he'd trot him more, but I think the way they have worked it out is ok too. A couple of years ago, we took Skjoni and Sina to a little local fun show. We didn't enter any classes - well, Sina did take my nephew around in the kid's leadline class, but that was it. We mostly took them just to see how they would react in a crowd, and of course, they were great. We just rode them around the grounds and let them see what was going on. It was funny - most of the folks there had never seen an Icelandic, but a lot of people there know gaited horses. We kept hearing people say things like, "Look at that spotted pony racking!" And, "That man's riding a racking pony!" The breed was new to the area, but the gaits weren't! Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle rack - Skjoni
Hi >>>What a cute horse Skjoni is:) You can see there is a slight slack in the reins, he's not being forced into gait. He looks good. He is a super horse. He is also one of those horses that tends to have a natural 'hold' in his neck and one of the things we worked on when he was here was for him to stretch his neck down and forward. If you ride him on tight contact he just gets tense. Cary is doing a terrific job with him and I noticed in the video that he is really working to stay in 'neutral' and not sit on his pockets. Looks really good. Robyn Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com >
RE: [IceHorses] Re: Saddle rack - Skjoni
>>>. What a cute horse Skjoni is:) You can see there is a slight slack in the reins, he's not being forced into gait. He looks good. Cary loves his Skjoni-Pony. I used to have to beg him to ride with me. I'm not a big morning person and sometimes I'll look out on Saturday morning before I'm ready to get rolling and there goes Cary and Skjoni out for a ride - without me! He's a nice pony, and they are a good match. And no, he doesn't have to be "forced" into gait, not by a long shot. Karen Thomas, NC
