Icelandic Angel

Yesterday, a friend came over with his step-daughter.  We know them very well and the girl, who is a young adult, has been riding for most of her life now.

When she visits, we always pop her on Iacs as we trust him and together they bimble about the indoor school in walk and trot.

As they were trotting round, the lass had a full-blown grand mal epilpetic seizure.

Iacs immediately stopped dead while his rider, in the middle of her seizure, slithered off onto the sand floor.

Of course, the girl’s step-father rushed to her aid.  This lass has known epilepsy so everyone around knows what to do if she hasa seizure – and Iacs?

What did Iacs do?  He stood there and waited patiently, doing nothing, absolutely nothing.  He never moved an inch.

We never trained him to do this.  He just knows that his rider and her safety is important.  That is what Icelandic horses do.  They care.

(Afterwards, the lass got back on again and they recommenced bimbling as if nothing had happened.)

There is no better horse in the world.

Today, when everyone else had one munchy-crunchy, he had two – for being perfect.

L1140391-600x600   BN2A0209    BN2A4040   BN2A1786BN2A5860

Our “Icelandic Angel” – (that is what the lass and her step-father called him).

12 thoughts on “Icelandic Angel

  1. Terri

    This is amazing. Keep calm…etc. You must be proud! (not to mention relieved) Good wishes to the lass….

    Reply
  2. Colleen McNamara

    Some animals just seem to know when others (not just their equine friends) are in trouble and know how to act appropriately. Lacs certainly is level headed (a word?)
    Just a comment… please don’t use the word “fit” it is very derogatory, seizure is better. Just saying…
    Finally I think you should consider offering two photos for sale. The first photo of Lacs nose on and the last photo of Lacs where you can see his wisdom and concern shining through his eyes .
    Thank you.
    A story to share. I have always had a love of horses. Years ago, when I was 5 we went to a state fair and I begged to ride the shetland ponies. They were in a ring ( But not tied to poles). You rode in a circle with them loose. They were well controlled we never were at more than a walk. The trainer decided I was big enough to ride, but as they went around in a circle, the cinch on my pony was loose and I was slipping. My parents said they could see my fear as I went around and around and slipped further and further down. I finally hit the ground. ALL the ponies stopped on a dime. Mine actually stopped with his hoof up in the air so he didn’t step on me. !!!
    Yep shetlands are smart and obviously their trainer had “brung ’em up right”.

    Reply
    1. Frances Post author

      I am sorry for using the word “fit”. I had no idea it was considered derogatory.
      When I trained as a nurse in the 80’s, I am pretty sure that was the phraseology used at the time.

      Anyway, I have changed the wording.

      Reply
  3. Peter Mehlin

    I know dogs can anticipate an epileptic seizure and can be trained to alert the person that they are about to have one. It may be that Icas knew there was a problem before his rider did and instinctively knew what to do. Good boy!
    Cheers

    Reply

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