We at Toltmaster dedicate ourselves to the art of Icelandic horsemanship, horse training and strengthening the relationship between equestrians and their Icelandic horse. Teaching through mutual respect, communication and trust within the horse, and based on Icelandic traditions of gaited riding, we ensure the best possible education for you and your horse.
"Equine Studies Institute is a colloquium of friends who share an attitude and approach to horsemanship. Our attitude comes from the view that horses and humans are capable of communicating with each other. We believe that humans have the responsibility of helping horses to thrive in the domestic environment, and that humans can not only teach horses but learn from them. Our approach focuses on educating horses through two-way communication rather than conventional training.
This attitude and approach, we think, works great when it is carried into life. No one person has all the answers; we also have to communicate with and educate each other. Thus, we advocate Friends of the Institute from all over the world who can be of great help to you and your horse.
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Eyjolfur Isolfsson - Known as the "töltmaster" of Iceland, Eyjolfur Isólfsson is one of the great horsemen of our time. Chief of the Horsemanship Program at Holar College in northern Iceland, Eyjolfur spends half of each year travelling to countries in Northern Europe and America. I met Eyjolfur in spring of 2004 at Holar College, and was absolutely delighted with his entirely classical approach to training, which is gentle, thorough, considerate, and hugely effective. American clients will find Eyjolfur welcoming any gaited breed, and even trotters, to attend his clinics – please keep in mind that the Icelandic horse is required not only to tölt but also walk, trot, canter, run, and flying pace, so one expects that Eyjolfur would understand the importance of transitions and suppleness pretty well. Also, since in Iceland the common practice is pasture-breeding, Eyjolfur starts many colts each year and can thus help you properly learn roundpenning technique. We are delighted to know and recommend this very kind teacher, who is the first in many years to receive applause at the Icelandic national shows for the beauty of his work in the slow gaits."
