Next week, I will tell you of Icelandic Horses and their history.
But today, I will only talk about Perla’s nature and her schooling. Sort of like a dissertation on Perla. I want to do that so that you better understand Perla’s and my summer of learning.
Perla is an Icelandic Horse. I purchased her in 2012. Her seller said these things of her:
1. Perla is being sold as greenbroke. (I found this definition on the web:A green broke horse is one who has recently learned to accept a rider on his/her back, or to be “under saddle.”)
2. Since she is only green broke, she needs an advanced rider and she still needs miles of riding. (My comment – I thought that meant advanced in age – which I am. I knew my friends like long trail rides – fit perfect – so I bought her!)
3. She needs firm boundaries clearly defined objectives. (my comment: Ask my kids – do I set firm boundaries? Of course they never adhered to them – In spite of me they turned out great – so I guess Perla will too. Thus, I setup a ten step learning program about 7 weeks ago–with two weeks off for my trip to NYC – that left 5 weeks of training so far)
4. She will Tolt forever. Perla has large elastic movements. Her sire, Nattfari, got 9’s for tolt. (my comment: That is a major Icelandic trait that caused me to want an Icelandic for years)
From the web I got this description of tolt:
Icelandics have gained most of their popularity due to their ability to tolt. For an Icelandic Horse enthusiast there is probably no greater pleasure than to enjoy nature while riding a good tolter.
Tolt is a four-beat gait. There are alternately one or two feet on the ground, the two feet are alternately in lateral and diagonal pairs.
The horse carries itself proudly and gives a very smooth ride, enabling the rider to cover long distances without tiring.
Icelandics tolt naturally, many young foals are seen to tolt in the field. However, every horse naturally offers a different combination of gaits: for some, tolt is their favorite gait, others prefer to trot
As for this summer’s learnings, we passed most of the ten step learning program. My free time to train is quickly running out for this summer, so, yesterday I added step number 11 – Long distances at a tolt -That is what I call entering high school.
Nothing to do with tolting but – Love cloud watching too! Today on way home from Sunday Brunch group – I saw God pull this heart pendent across the sky. I did use Photoshop a little — to help better show U what I saw. Pretty neat!!!
Perla and I tolted for about 1/2 mile through the fields and trails, yesterday . Wonderful. What fun to tolt thru nature. Just like her sire Nattfari who got 9’s for tolt.
But, we both need to practice our communications – when to walk, when to tolt, how to stay in a tolt, when to return to walk. — all with very little show of signals being passed between us. No yelling commands. No yanking on reins. I know it will take more learning on both our parts.
Since Perla is not good at reading, I must do all the text book studying for both of us!
I have been assigned the reading
Perla is assigned Tolting. Adios, Trail ride soon.
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