Autumn haze trot

Taktur has arrived on the autumn pasture:















And I will miss him!

Carriage Driving

I started driving with Taktur more than 10 years ago. Last year I invested in a new carriage and harness. As Taktur is getting older I find it very nice to train him more and more without sitting on his back. The driving challenges is muscles differently to, and it has made him stronger. We drive on the roads and in the forest. Best of all, Taktur really enjoys it.

Taktur - running free

I look at my horse, and I just think he looks more beautiful than ever. He is certainly getting older, and I am starting to adjust training and feeding as far as my knowledge goes. We have been training a bit different the last years with less riding. I run with him on a long rope in the forest, I work him dressage by hand from the ground, and we drive with the carriage. I just ride him a couple a times a week, and then I ride mostly dressage in the arena - witch he still is very motivated for.. He did respond in a positive way after treatment with kinesiology/chiropractics during a few sessions the last year. 

Taktur with the herd of icelandcs at Hørte

The grey hairs are starting to appear .

Pictures by Elisabeth Eika and Ann Kristin Kåsin

Training with Glirtna and Jarl

Glirtna and Jarl are bouth from Iceland, and belongs to my friends, Elisabeth and Ann Kristin. Their training has been mostly groundwork without riders and light riding in on the roads and nature. I have been given permission to ride them in the arena, slowly presenting for them the principles of the aids in dressage. 

Dressage - summer 2011

The past week I found some inspiration to train dressage. Taktur has been lovely to work with, and is always improving. It is challenging to ride dressage on a Icelandic horse because of the size and the gaits. When I look at old pictures I can see that we have learned something. My goal in dressage is to make my horse sound, flexible and strong, and for me to achieve coordination and balance to be a better rider. Riding dressage is just a part of our training.

 Pictures taken by Elisabeth Eika, Telemark

Taktur 20 years old

Today it is 20 years since this little wonderful Icelandic horse was born.
Countless times have I looked at him thinking that he most be the most beautiful horse in the world. I so much appreciate his beauty, wisdom, stubbornness, individuality, ability to love and loyalty to me even when I fail again and again.
He is still a healthy and happy horse. I am very grateful, and I hope he will stay like this for many, many years.

This day reminds me of the manifesto I wrote to Taktur some years ago:

Dear Taktur, my horse

• I am your guide in the world of humans and I feel obliged to take care of your needs as long as you live

• I know you are free and that no one can ever own you

• I wish to give you the space you need, so that you can show me your needs and limits

• I intend to present you my limits in a precise and gentle way

• I wish to see you evolve so that you can continue to give the world your gifts

• I will support you. I will show you and the world how beautiful and wise you are

• I will clearly show you how grateful I am for everything you are, and for every second you bring me closer to reality and love

I love You

This is some moments from his birthday celebration:



Film by Gitte Flemming

Riding in Dreamvalley

My horse is spending the winter in Dreamvalley. I went to visit him, and got to feel the magic of the mountains from his back.









The pictures where taken by Live Bonnevie; hestenesklan.blogspot.com

Ride with love

When I ride my horse like this, there is a long story behind it. The sad story of young and "difficult" Taktur belongs to those who already know it. I just want you to know that it is not that this horse is so "easy" that makes it possible to ride without equipment.


Taktur was born knowing how to run in the forest. I had to learn what he needs from me to bring me along safe and comfortable.
He needed me to be more attentive, respectful, humble, calm, balanced, and with less agenda. I had to do some work on myself to be honest.


I get continuously challenged by my wise horse. He knows who he is, and he knows what he wants. He wants to feel freedom and at the same time feel connected with others. He likes to get along, and he can be very helpful when somebody needs him to be.
He does not give his goodwill away for free, and there must be a reason for him to say yes when I ask him for a favor.

A favor I might ask is: “Will you carry me a while, galloping in the forest?” My reason is that I love it.
I feel that this way he loves it too.




Photos: Hanne Bratholm

Dressage and Biomechanics

Trough dressage we can train the horse more elastic and strong. The horse will then become healthier and better prepared for the riders weight.

Participants, assitants and teachers

In July 2010 I attended a week long seminar with dressage trainer Alexandra Myhren and Veterinary Tone Lygren. Tone is a horse vet, doing a PhD in tendon strength in horses.

Tone was explaning goals of dressage trough biomechanics

Tone has a special interest for understanding the anatomical function of the horse and how we can influence the horse`s movements in a healthy way. She bases a lot of her teaching on actual scientific results. She explained to us the recent studies done in this field. Tone discussed why different head positions have different effects on the horse`s movements trough an anatomical understanding.

We learned to recognize anatomical features that might be a challenge when we want a horse to be a sound dressage horse. In individual lessons we where guided to be aware of the quality of the movement towards our goal of a more elastic and engaged horse.

Tone is conducting seminars in Denmark and Norway – and I strongly recommend these to everyone that wants to gain more knowledge and understanding about the horse`s biomechanics in riding.
Her website is: www.dressageinharmony.dk

Dressage lessons on Bucanero

The dressage lessons where excellent. I rode the PRE gelding Bucanero, wich I have ridden once in a while for some years. Alexandra has a unique positivity and natural teaching skills combined with a deep respect for the horse and the rider. She started to teach me dressage 3 years ago, and it really works!

Bucanero - a lovely horse to ride

This a short clip from the riding lessons:

(the clip is added in April 2011)

Alexandra Myhren has this website: www.ridekunst.no

All photos wher taken by Hanne Bratholm. www.hannebratholm.dk