Loin sitting...

If this trainer gets any further back, she'll need longer reins...

Oh wait...she will just pull harder on the reins...

Seriously, this kind of crappy riding has got to stop. Ever wonder why Icelandics aren't mainstream in North America... because people who are experienced horse people look at this and think you are stupid. Bad gaited people that moved into Big Lick ride this way.

Harsh hands

Here's another horse that's praying for all he's worth. Look how far that asshole has that bit engaged....the shanks are right up along the horse's jawline.

How about if the professionals went back to square one and used a sidepull? They say these Icelandic bits should only be used by professionals. What a load of crap. Every single pic you see of one of these professionals is awful. It's NOT a moment in time. These assholes don't know how to ride or train. They hop on a horse 10 minutes before a competition and stresss the horse to the max. Apparently Icelandic horses aren't naturally gaited or they wouldn't need to tie the horse into a frigging knot during a competition.

Honestly, take some riding lessons and learn about the concept of 'seat and legs'... actually let 'seat and legs' be your mantra.

This crappy riding by so called professionals has got to stop.

Again with the harsh contact AND harsh hands

Yes...my sweeties...close your eyes and pray. Hopefully your torture will be over soon. Not every human rides this way. Maybe you'll be sold to someone that knows something about equitation.

Frigging Idiots

When it's icy around here, no one rides. We all know better.

They have allowed one fall on the video...I wonder how many aren't shown. The torque this puts on the legs from those ice studs is absolutely incredible.

Yes, frigging idiots....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3uirABTlP8

Sore back anyone???

These horses both look like they are at the end of their ropes. Too much loin sitting perhaps?

Weighty Feet

Hello....look a little lower. I see you have your riding jods on...I hope you intend to trim his feet appropriately before you go for a ride. Oh...but I bet those long feet give him some lift though don't they. The words "mechanical founder" come to mind.

But I have an idea, if you put quarter boots or bell boots on him ...his feet won't appear as long. Then when people see you riding they won't think you're a total idiot...or perhaps trying to follow any BIG LICK practices.

And again....another noseband

Jesus Christ! Tie that noseband around your arm that tight for five minutes and see how long you last.

Here's the link to the original pic. Does anyone notice the tight noseband...nope...they all comment on what a wonderful picture it is. Have I suddenly woken up on Mars?

http://www.photopoints.com/main/photos/showphoto.aspx?pid=3B9D5BFD7FFB7AEA71EC

Here we go again...

Yes...lets strap that bit down nice and tight... Does this horse look like he's enjoying himself? If you look close enough you can see where the bit rings are digging into the side of his mouth. Poor poor horse..

and then we have a cantle-sitter with harsh hands!

Harsh Hands

Three more pounds and you'll have that bit pulled up to his eyes you asshole!

Oh wait...that must be the goal...Icelandic horses are not supposed to see where they are going.

Loin Sitter

When riding, one must always remember to make an attempt at sitting on the horse's actual back.

gait manipulation

How much do you think these front feet weigh?

There are no words...

Where do I begin? Why does a big fella like this need to strap that poor little soft nose down so hard? Man...find a horse that fits you! AND stay off those frigging loins. Ease up on the reins..

When you get off, hit yourself in the head with a baseball bat, just so I feel better.

This little horse is just trying so hard..

Another set of huge pie plates

Big Feet are WEIGHT Manipulation!!

Saints preserve us!

Since when did Icelandics develop feet the size of draft horses? Long toes and big feet are a sign of weight manipulation. If you see feet like this it means the horse may or may not be naturally gaited. If you purchase a horse like this, expect that his gait will disappear as soon as a farrier with half an eye and an a**hole trims him appropriately.

Too tight

Tell me why this horse has to be yarded on to the point taht the bit ring digs into the side of his face? Not only that, the leather from the nose band has left white hairs on the side of his face. Note his feet, he's being hauled on so badly that he can't even land his feet properly. His toe is flipping.

STOP Ice Tolts

I live in Saskatchewan Canada. We deal with ice 6 months (maybe 5 if we're lucky) of the year. What idiot thought that taking a horse out into a skating rink or a lake was a good idea? What kind of idiocy is it to zoom your horse as fast as you can across a sheet of ice? Believe me, when it's icy around here...NO ONE takes their horse out onto it. It's too easy for your horse to suffer a life affecting injury...and it can happen in a moment. Horse people that care about their horses know better...period...there is no debate.

Please start using your brains and don't go riding when it's icy. Pull your horses shoes and give his feet the required time off during the icy winter months....don't put ice calks on him so you can squeeze a few more riding days out of him. Quit being a freaking cheep skate, and stop treating your horse like some kind of machine.

AND yet all of this is sanctioned by FEIF...they have competitions in Ice Tolts! For Gawd's sake, just because someone else jumps off a cliff...doesn't mean we have to.

Check out their news page...they have TWO competitions on ice.. Please...

http://www.feif.org/News/tabid/113/Default.aspx

Write them a letter and tell them to stop being ass hats...(nod to Fugly)...I love that expression.

http://www.feif.org/News/tabid/113/Default.aspx

But use nice language...because apparently bad language offends them. They can use narrow saddles, sit on loins, tie mouths shut, yard on reins, and edge toward big lick practises...but they don't like bad language. And for heavens sake when I brought this up with one european trainer. She was highly insulted, because the people that ride in the european championships...were her friends. Friends that should probably be charged (and probably will be charged some day)...with animal abuse. Believe me. It's coming. If FEI thinks the dressage world is bad...just wait until they focus their attention on the Icelandic competitions.