"In riding a horse, we borrow freedom" –Helen Thompson
GUSTUR
Name:
Gustur is a 4 gaited Registered Icelandic Horse.
Gustur came to Nantucket from Oklahoma in June 2008 and he is our youngest and most “in your pocket” young horse.
He was born in New Hampshire. His mother was a pretty palomino mare and his father is a champion stallion.
Gustur means “Blizzard” He is not very brave but is super sweet.
Gustur has arrived to show us the power of gentleness, compassion and unconditional love.
Gustur “Goo” is considered to be much like “Roo” in “Winnie the Pooh” being playful, curious, happy and cheerful.
ICELANDIC HORSE
Icelandic Horses stand an average of 13 to 14 hands, which is often considered a pony size, but Icelandic’s are always referred to as Horses. Several theories why they are called horses are their spirited temperament, large personality, their weight, bone structure and weight-carrying abilities. The breed comes in many coat colors including chestnut, Dun, bay, black, grey, palomino, pinto and roan. They have well-proportioned heads, with straight profiles and wide foreheads. The neck is short, muscular and broad at the base; the withers broad and low; the chest deep; the shoulders muscular and slightly sloping; the back long; the croup broad, muscular and short and slightly sloping. The legs are strong and short with relatively long cannon bones and short pasterns. The mane and tail are full, with course hair and the tail is set low. The breed is known to be an easy keeper. Icelandic’s have a double coat developed for extra insulation in cold temperatures.
Icelandic’s tend not to be easily spooked, probably the result of not having any natural predators in their native Iceland. They tend to be friendly, docile, easy to handle, although also enthusiastic and self-assured. They seek strong attachments to people and are quite nurturing and affectionate. The breed matures late and is not ridden until they are 4 years old and structural development is not complete until age 7.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand –Horses
Text: Jean-Lois Gouraud
Publisher: Artisan, A division of Workman Publishing Inc.,
New, York, NY
Icelandic Page 194
© copyright 2009 Nantucket Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc.