Someone said that it's hard for Icelandic's to canter, but I don't agree. I think it's hard sometimes for the very PACEY horses to canter, but most Icelandics I know seem to canter just fine. Remember however, that none of my Icelandic's have been trained to pace, nor were they trained from the get-go for "more speed" like I kept hearing in the Icelandic evaluation videos.
Here are some Icelandic's cantering, under saddle and at liberty: Falki, under saddle: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NerhkPpqv7o and http://youtube.com/watch?v=OSPUEFKoILg Isak, Landi, Skjoni and Falki cantering a little faster (still not what I'd call a gallop) at liberty: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0DbS3xubYYQ Flekka, one of the AERC's 16 listed Icelandic horses (ha!) canters under saddle, but her difficulty is more in getting the energy and motivation going to move on out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XQ5h5MDMrYE I think her canter "difficulties" are a state of mind issue, not a physical one - she's just in no rush to get anywhere! I have lots of videos of my horses cantering at liberty, especially the young ones. Here are a few, showing several gaits, including some canter - even a couple of flying lead changes: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2V9nwS2FcRg http://youtube.com/watch?v=W4jO64C3Rz4 http://youtube.com/watch?v=6g8fMuKNunM http://youtube.com/watch?v=iLP1uxbWnzI I'll try to get some more videos of our horses cantering under saddle, especially Sina and Trausti whose canters are quite different in style - his with more "up" action, and hers very flat, but both very comfy and relaxed to ride. Karen Thomas, NC
