Don't we all!
I get lot's of people wanting really super trained horses and it's not that they aren't out there. It's just that those ones don't come back on the market very often.
Australia only has a small population of Icelandic Horses and maybe 20 or so bred each year.
We've been breeding, training, and selling Icelandic Horses in Australia since 1996. The oldest Icelandic stud in Australia. So we understand the frustration, but we've also had to train every young horse we've ever owned into a riding horse. And as far as I'm concerned, there are some super young Icelandic Horses without the training and experience right this minute that will be AMAZING riding horses within a few months or a year or so. So it's definitely worth thinking about buying a younger horse and having them trained the way you would like.
Icelandic horses do not have to be trained by Icelandic Horse trainers. But there are Icelandic Horse trainers in Australia that can train them or help out at different times if needed. And with the evolution of the internet there are SO many courses on training Icelandic horses or any horse for that matter, that it's not a secret on how to do anything. There is actually a surprising amount of Australian horse trainers that have had experience with Icelandic's now or with other gaited breeds in the world. Icelandic Horse training is just a blend of a bunch of other training techniques anyways and the gait training ( as in really concentrating on the tolt) doesn't usually happen until the horse really understands the restraining and driving aids and is nice and secure physically and mentally under saddle. Usually somewhere from 3 months to 1 year under saddle. Some just offer it, others take a little longer to magic it out!
Icelandic's are in fact a HORSE with a couple of extra gears & we can tolt with or without bridles. Ride in what ever we like as long as the horse and rider are comfortable and don't have to conform if we feel like we want to do something a little bit differently!
So if you are really really wanting an icelandic horse ... then maybe its ok to fall in love with a young one. Spent time building an amazing relationship, gaining new experiences together and incrementally becoming a riding partnership in the future.
If you're still super nervous, rusty, need a bit of confidence etc... then use that time it takes for your young horse to grow old enough to be a riding horse to brush up your own skills with lessons on horses that meet you right where you are.
If we can help you with a young horse I have some super ones here to introduce you too. And if we can help point you in the direction of a horse that has more miles on the clock we will do our best there too.
Drop me an email amy@icelandichorses.com.au or ph 0431815880 to book in, or ask any questions.
Warmest wishes
Amy and the herd.
Comments