Summer Eczema / Sweet Itch in Icelandic Horses

At this time of the year, some Icelandic Horses show varying signs of sweet itch / summer eczema, which can be mild or severe. The severe cases can be horrific for the horse.

There are several ways to try to forestall SE (summer eczema); some are in the discussions on the IceHorses discussion group:

[] Summer Eczema Discussion

[] Information

[] Fly Control

[] SE Season

[] http://iceryder.net/se.html

Ground Parallel Coffin Bone

From the Equine Soundness Newsletter:

The argument about the ground parallel coffin bone is endless. Some say it needs to be 3-5° elevated in the back, others do not pay attention to the issue at all. For our school it is the backbone of our hoof care efforts.

At Equine Soundness we teach the necessity of the ground parallel coffin bone.

Here is why:

1.) The outer edge of the coffin bone is very sharp. Any deviation from ground parallel would pinch the circumflex artery that surrounds the edge of the coffin bone and nourishes the sole corium.

2.) If the coffin bone is not ground parallel, there are unphysiological forces on the entire hoof structure which lead over time to a dysfunction of the hoof.

3.) The meridian end points, also known as ting points, are on the coronet band. Any deviation from the correct form leads to improper stimulation of the meridian end points and therefore impacts the function of the major organs.

4.) An unbalanced coffin bone impairs hoof mechanism. Hoof mechanism is important to assist with the blood being pumped up the leg, as there are no muscles in the lower
leg to help with the blood pumping.

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This information is valid for any breed as well as Icelandic Horses (aka cheval islandais, islandhast, islandskehest, islandpferde, ijslands paard, islanninhevonen, islenskihesturinn, islandisches pferd, hestur, islandpony, icelandic pony).

Sign up for the Equine Soundness Newsletter:

Equine Soundness Newsletter

Natural Horsemanship with Icelandic Horses

Here's a video that is about ten years old, working with a young Icelandic Horse and natural horsemanship, along with clicker training. He could be ridden bareback and bridleless before he was even started under saddle.



For more information, see the Icelandic Horse Connection.

Icelandic Horse Plays Soccer!

Watch this Icelandic Horse play soccer! He really enjoys it!

Icelandic Horse Pictures

Icelandic Horse Connection Blog