Breeding and Training
Janice schooling Riddari
At Midfield we breed and train Icelandic horses. We do this because we enjoy the horses and the daily challenge which they bring to our lives. We rarely have a day pass when we do not learn something from them.
We have kept horses for over thirty years and have tried many different breeds and disciplines until finally succumbing to the addiction of the horse of the Vikings. More of that addiction later.
Since leaving the Royal Navy in 1986 Janice has studied Equine Nutrition and Physiology in great depth. An in depth look at the mechanics of saddling and the problems associated with poor saddle design and fit, lead us to design our own saddle. This has stood the test of time and is so effective that many horses with severe muscle damage from previous saddles have been returned to comfort under rider. We have written more on that subject under Trapezius Saddles
Our training methods encompass many traditional methods, including lunging and long reining as well as newer techniques. These include the methods of TTEAM which I particularly like for training or re-training to lead using ground work and poles as well as the unique body work. I also employ the services of an Equine Physiotherapist who works with me to ensure that our training regime is working for each individual horse.
In 2006 we added a 150m pace track and a horse exerciser to the training facilities at the stud. We also held our first shows and the 250m oval track was a huge success.
We are firm believers in the essentials of correct foot balance for joint stability and long term soundness and so we use an AWCF farrier who has a keen eye. We do not believe in disturbing the correct biomechanics of the foot to try to influence the flight of the limb by leaving the toes long in relation to the heels. All of our horses are shod for the correct biomechanical use of the limb.
Round pen and Exerciser
Our breeding horses are selected for temperament first. Our ideal is a biddable and human orientated mare who is confident and out going in her own personality. A bold but biddable horse is easy to train and safe to ride and that is our ideal riding horse. Of course the young horses have to be handled carefully and with a view to their future role as well-mannered riding horses. Our philosophy is that it is not the amount of handling which spoils horses, it is the way they are handled. Too harsh is as bad as too soft. All handling should be fair as horses do all have a strong sense of fair play.
Janice's latest studies are centred on the mechanics of riding and she is an approved teacher of Mary Wanless.
Our own riding has improved immensely since studying the Ride With Your Mind Techniques and we are very enthusiastic about spreading the word and helping others to learn using Mary's teaching methods. Janice has now been accredited with Mastery at Level 1 in the RWYM Teacher Training scheme.
We enjoy having courses here with Denise O'Reilly, an advanced RWYM instructor and trainee dressage coach. Denise is a successful dressage rider, so she brings a wealth of talent to her teaching courses.
Janice also runs training courses for all types of horse and rider at Midfield. She also coaches at other venues both in Britain and abroad.
Our horses are our life and we enjoy what we do. We will sometimes have a horse for sale to the right home. Similarly, we may take on the occasional horse for training and we also take the occasional student. We have successfully trained students for BHS exams.
Tim has passed the FEIF internationally recognised "Trainer B" qualification. As this is not yet available in the UK Tim travelled to Denmark to study for and sit the test. We were extremely pleased when he passed, becoming the first person in Britain to pass this test for Icelandic Horse Instructors.
Both Tim and Janice have represented . Great Britain at World Championships for Icelandic Horses in the Sport competitions. Siamber Wen Icelandics also produced the first British bred horse to represent Britain in the breeding show at a World Championships and the first British bred horse to represent Britain in both breeding and sport at the World Championships. Flytir from Siamber Wen is also the first British bred First Prize stallion and we are immensely proud of him.
Flytir's talented son Freki from Siamber Wen is a horse to watch out for. Freki is now half owned by Haukur Trygvasson and he is now in Germany training for competition.
email: info@icelandichorses.co.uk
Tel: 015396 24000