Awesome and so inspiring! Your story is so common with first-time Icelandic owners, me included. After 3 years I did give up with my first one. Now I know it was totally my fault. Wish I could ride him now! I do have another one (Gjafar) and I absolutely love him! I also love Steinar and would love to attend one of his clinics. Missed my chance earlier this year - drat! Thank you for posting this video. I also love the "Don't Give Up" comment. Good for you!
@Avonly365 They do not need to know how to neck rein, but I would spend some time with a rope around the neck and practice using your seat first, then neck rope, then reins in that order until you feel you can do what you need to without the reins. It is a great exercise for helping you and your horse be more aware and responsive to seat aids only. Just be sure the neck string is fairly thick and that you do not pull tightly, as the underpart of their neck and throat area is sensitive.
Update: the clips of our trouble last year were from a competition at Valhalla Icelandics in Los Angeles. Yesterday we returned to this track for the first time, riding in the 2010 show. Vafi and I took first place in both Novice Tolt and Novice Four Gait. We were not the flashiest, most talented, or most experienced in our classes. We were not the most competitive or dynamic. We won because we were the most *consistent*. We won because THIS time we went onto the track as... partners.
I think about you a lot, Susan. And even though the video says, "I did not give up", the truth is... I came so close many times. I had to stop listening to the way everyone was telling me to do things ("get his respect!") and start listening to what HE was telling me ("respect ME!") and then faith and patience in the process. But with Vafi, it was always clear I was the problem. That's not so with your Andi.. but it does seem like the same approach (no pressure / focus on joy) is working!
Kathy, I am so proud of you! You rock and this is lovely to watch. So harmonious, lyrical, happy. Hooray for you and Vafi! The partnership is what it's all about - the journey. The horses teach us so much! (And Steinar helps, too). :>)
Wow!!!! You guys rock! What a fantastic job you've done. As well as building a great relationship, the quality of his gaits and his relaxation are fabulous. This was a joy to watch!! Thank you,
BEAUTIFUL
abeandluckyRRS 3 weeks ago
wow, he is so cute :)
JuliaMira 1 month ago
congrats on building trust :) very cute horse
StinaaxBinaa 2 months ago
Wonderful to see where you and your horse came from, and where you are now, together :)
AlichinaThePinkLady 2 months ago
Aw, fab!
Veruzw 3 months ago
i just love icelandics- good job!!
mshorsesforlife14 7 months ago
good for you and Vafi! I love this
jasparhen 7 months ago
cool horse
SuperPitbulls10 7 months ago
Awesome and so inspiring! Your story is so common with first-time Icelandic owners, me included. After 3 years I did give up with my first one. Now I know it was totally my fault. Wish I could ride him now! I do have another one (Gjafar) and I absolutely love him! I also love Steinar and would love to attend one of his clinics. Missed my chance earlier this year - drat! Thank you for posting this video. I also love the "Don't Give Up" comment. Good for you!
gjafar1 8 months ago
very beautiful!
voodoo1234567891011 1 year ago
for riding with no bridle {i have an icelandic too} and do they have to know haw to neck reain?
Avonly365 1 year ago
@Avonly365 They do not need to know how to neck rein, but I would spend some time with a rope around the neck and practice using your seat first, then neck rope, then reins in that order until you feel you can do what you need to without the reins. It is a great exercise for helping you and your horse be more aware and responsive to seat aids only. Just be sure the neck string is fairly thick and that you do not pull tightly, as the underpart of their neck and throat area is sensitive.
KathySierraVideos 1 year ago
Awe this is a wonderful site. Good job. :)
Thefinalepisode91 1 year ago
wow, thats really nice. (:
MissCarolienn 1 year ago
Lovely! Where is this film filmed?
synnemoberg97 1 year ago
@synnemoberg97 Thanks! We live in the Santa Cruz mountains, two hours south of San Francisco.
KathySierraVideos 1 year ago
omg , ur good :D very nice :-)
SandraElskerBanditt 1 year ago
Update: the clips of our trouble last year were from a competition at Valhalla Icelandics in Los Angeles. Yesterday we returned to this track for the first time, riding in the 2010 show. Vafi and I took first place in both Novice Tolt and Novice Four Gait. We were not the flashiest, most talented, or most experienced in our classes. We were not the most competitive or dynamic. We won because we were the most *consistent*. We won because THIS time we went onto the track as... partners.
KathySierraVideos 1 year ago
Truly inspiring video. Thanks Kathy and Vafi (without bridle) for sharing.
tibocut 1 year ago
Beautiful!
elisefageras 1 year ago
What a beautiful horse, and a beautiful message.
bootedbear 1 year ago
Love the "Don't Give Up" comment at the end - it brought tears to my eyes as I continue my journey with Andi!
desertduty 1 year ago
I think about you a lot, Susan. And even though the video says, "I did not give up", the truth is... I came so close many times. I had to stop listening to the way everyone was telling me to do things ("get his respect!") and start listening to what HE was telling me ("respect ME!") and then faith and patience in the process. But with Vafi, it was always clear I was the problem. That's not so with your Andi.. but it does seem like the same approach (no pressure / focus on joy) is working!
KathySierraVideos 1 year ago
Hopefully, I will have my own "Beautiful Ride" to post on Andi next year!
desertduty 1 year ago
amazing! Must of felt awesome to do that :)
ShannyPants2 1 year ago
Kathy, I am so proud of you! You rock and this is lovely to watch. So harmonious, lyrical, happy. Hooray for you and Vafi! The partnership is what it's all about - the journey. The horses teach us so much! (And Steinar helps, too). :>)
~helga & tyr
gladiatorbird 1 year ago
this is great! It reminds me that I have to get back to working with Pie a lot more. I'm inspired, thanks for sharing!!
curiousgirl11 1 year ago
He looks so much like my boy Huginn!! Good for you both, keep working on your partnership. {{{HUGS}}}
IcePonyGoddess 1 year ago
Awesome job! So inspiring!! NICE gaits!
Brenda
Lucy04574 1 year ago
The smile on your face says it all!!!
loispix 1 year ago 2
Fantastic Job on the video!
ivyschex 1 year ago
Your smile and his happy eyes say it all. :) CONGRATS!! You're an inspiration!
DDreslough 1 year ago
Wow!!!! You guys rock! What a fantastic job you've done. As well as building a great relationship, the quality of his gaits and his relaxation are fabulous. This was a joy to watch!! Thank you,
Lyndsey
jewelsruby 1 year ago
Awesome job, Kathy!
eriknrobyn 1 year ago