This held me captivated (horse video)

MosMum said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRqCoAv9gJU

I really didn't think the gray was going to make it. I was looking for the utube vid of the horse who fell through a bridge and found this. Sorry if its all been done before.
Click to expand...

What I found was really interesting was that my vet once told me that warmbloods (particularly dutch warmbloods) tend to collapse their back ends when they get stressed. It's a stress reflex, something to do with lack of oxygen to muscles in the hind quarters.
 
I have no idea what breed these guys are they look native russian type ponies but I could be far wrong.

Yes they all do make it out, and they walk under their own strength away, which I think is a very good sign. The gray regains some strength when he's nearly out.

The weird thing was how calm and quiet they went as soon as the ice gave way, very little strggling or panicking, even from the horse on the far right (closest to the camera) who managed to avoid falling in, he just continued to trot in form away from the hole.

I was heartened to see how quickly EVERYONE standing around jumped in to rescue, first the riders then the horses, some stander-by's jumping into the water to try to heft their back ends out of the water, these being someone else's animals! Human nature is not all bad :)
 
it certainly restores a little bit of faith that there are people out there who would do all they can for animals.

i take my hat off to them for getting in that water to save the ponies. the ponies were great for not panicing as well. glad they all got out.
 
These are Icelandic ponies and they traditionally race on ice through the winter throughout iceland. Normally no problems but obv ice wasn't as frozen as they thought.
 
I don't think things are necessarily stupid simply because they are cultural and traditional (as I'm assuming this might be, due to the parade-like feeling to it). I also think its important to keep some perspective and remember that the Western World are generally the most likely to see animals as something more than tools- we're often the only ones who can afford to. This, to me, makes the effort put into saving the animals even more inspiring.
 
Obviously in Iceland they are used to riding on ice but they are stupid because with the experience that they should have with dealing with ice they should know whether it is safe or not. For a planned festival presumably they could check the ice thoroughly and you would think they might have a better plan if the worst did happen. Luckily it wasn't deep.

Thankfully they obviously love and care for their horses even if they are mentally challenged.

I think Iceland is in the Western World?
 
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