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Horse Organizations Intro

Alaska Icelandic Horse Association (AIHA) (www.alaskaicelandics.org)

Click here to read articles that Alys has published in the AIHA News Letter.

The Alaska Icelandic Horse Association is a USIHC-affiliated club. The club’s mission, as stated on the club's website, is to “preserve the uniqueness and integrity of the Icelandic horse.” The objectives of the USIHC are to promote the Icelandic horse breed, educate its membership and the general public about the breed, and provide an environment of support wherein all can enjoy the talents and characteristics of this unique breed of horse.

Club members are from all over the state, and include a handful of people who live in the Lower 48 as well. There are, as of December 15, 2010, 145 Icelandics in the state. They can found in Kotzebue, one of the farthest north communities, and in Wrangell, which is one of the farthest south communities. Club meetings are held 2-3 times a year, and are conducted via teleconference. (There are two or three meeting places which are made known in advance of the get togethers.) Club offices are: President, Alys Culhane, Vice President, Mary Gleason, Treasurer, Jeanette Willis, Secretary/Newsletter Editor Fran Buntzen, and Board members Nilla Ekstrom and Mariann Stoffel.

Click here to read articles that Alys has published in the AIHA News Letter.


United States Icelandic Horse Association (USIHC) (www.icelandics.org)

Click here to read articles, clinic reports, regional reports, and book reviews that Alys has written for the USIHC Newsletter.

The USIHC’s mission is to support the use and health of the Icelandic Horse according to International standards, to advance the study, breeding, and exhibition of the Icelandic horse, and to maintain a registry of purebred Icelandic horses

The USIHC maintains the registration of Icelandic horses in US, sponsors international competition, and regulates breeding and competitive activities within the US, in accordance with FEIF rules. It furthers knowledge the of the Icelandic Horse in the US, promotes its correct use as a competition and pleasure riding horse, and provides a network in which to share information or events and Icelandic horse owner.

There are 603 USIHC members, 4,228 registered Icelandic horses. Members receive the Icelandic Horse Quarterly, and are eligible to sit on USIHC committees. Individuals who have an interest in Icelandic horses are eligible to join.


The Backcountry Horsemen of Alaska (BCHA of Alaska) (www.bchaofalaska.org)

Click here to read Alys’s account of her participation in a Leave no Trace Training Master’s Educator course.

The Backcountry Horsemen of Alaska is an affiliate of the Backcountry Horsemen of America, a service-based organization. BCHA of Alaska members are involved in trails advocacy, volunteer service, and partnerships.

The BCHA has partnered with the Center for Outdoor Ethics, to promote Leave no Trace training. Leave no Trace is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors, by people, worldwide.

The Center for Outdoor Ethics sponsors Leave no Trace training. Those who take the Master Educator’s Course train people to become comprehensive Leave no Trace Educators, or Master Educators. In turn, Master Educators teach the trainers course. Those who are trainer then conduct Awareness Workshops. The latter are designed for the public and promote Leave no Trace practices.

Click here to read Alys’s account of her participation in a Leave no Trace Training Master’s Educator course.


Tellington TTouch Training (www.ttouch.com)

TTouch is named after its originator, Linda Tellington Jones. TTouch is specialized approach to the care and training of animal companions. Those who espouse this particular type of training can be found worldwide, and include Icelandic Horse Farm owner Robyn Hood, her husband Phil Pretty, her daughter Mandy Pretty, Mandy’s husband Walt Woodhead, and Christine Schwartz.

The Icelandic horse farm (www.icelandichorsefarm.com) offers clinic on riding, starting young horses, and TTouch training. In addition, they also offer companion animal clinics.

Click here to read articles that Alys has published in the TTeam Connection Newsletter.



Tinni saying hello to Lysy at 2008 clinic at Artic Arrow farm

AIHA Articles

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