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.

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

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?

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.

Protection? I don't think so

Would you consider buying this horse for your breeding program? If s/he needs that much assistance in attaining a gait - is this horse truly 'naturally' gaited? Not only that, but if you look carefully, these feet are quite long (which also adds weight)...then you add the shoes, and the boots...and in about 5 years (probably a lot less time) you'll have a horse that has torn all of his tendons and is no longer sound. But man...you had a 'balanced' gait for a while there didn't you?

If you are considering purchasing any horse that needs this much help to gait...back away slowly. If you are considering purchasing a horse that needs you to cantle sit in order to gait...back away slowly. If you are considering purchasing a horse that needs you to yard on the reins with say...25 lbs of pressure constantly...back away slowly.

A gaited horse should be easy to ride, and easy to keep in gait as long has s/he has been brought along carefully and with some consideration to conditioning and appropriate training. DO NOT have your horse trained by a 'traditional' 'certified' Icelandic trainer. Any local trainer can train your horse, just don't have them mess around with gaits...babies simply can't be expected to maintain a gait for very long. That comes with time.