Accepted Look of Tolt

There is no reason for a horse to open it's mouth, unless he is being hurt by the bit.

Fighting the bit, head tossing, odd-angled head tipping by Icelandic Horses has become the norm.

It's the accepted "look" of tolt.

It does not seem that anyone recognizes it as a problem.

If there is a question about it, it is excused as "the horse wants to go", or "it's a show, they're all excited", or "he loves it", or "the other horses are pumping him up", or "it's the speed" (no matter that it happens on the trail, or walking, and / or when the horse is alone).

It is not recognized for what it is: a problem for the horse, a painful situation.

But we are making it better for the horse; and the horse is glad.

Icelandic Horses Fighting the Bit

In many of the previous posts (below), the videos show the horses fighting the bit, and / or wringing their tails, and / or tipping their heads at odd angles, or showing other behaviors that indicate he is uncomfortable, in pain, or having a problem.

We need to learn how to listen to the horse, to hear what he is telling us, to fix what might be wrong for him.