Karen's version: "I
had an accident a while back when my big horse spooked hard. I'm still in
pretty good shape, but I'm not getting any taller (I'm only 5' tall) and
mounting those big horses is just too tough. I also still like to play a little
"back-yard" dressage, practice natural horse training methods, and I
love to trail ride on a sensible, energetic horse. Since I broke my back,
smooth gaits like tolt are very appealing, but I still like to trot sometimes when I
practice a little "backyard dressage." I have never worked with a horse
who picked up the natural training techniques as quickly as my little
five-gaited Icelandic mare, and who would have thought it, since I found these sensible little Icelandic's, I
have even jumped a little again."
Cary's version: "I
love horses, but ring-riding has never appealed to me. I love the outdoors, and nothing is more fun for me
than exploring the countryside on a sane and reliable horse, and tolt is an
unbelievable gait. I
couldn't believe how well the Icelandic's behaved the first time we went trail-riding
on them. All the horses I'd known before who had a lot of energy were also
pretty hot and spooky. Not these guys! They were ready to go and go,
but nothing fazed them! They're wonderfully good-natured, sure-footed and
easy. I'm a big guy (6'2" and 200+ pounds) and I couldn't believe I
could find a horse so short who could carry me with such energy for hours."