It's Always Fun When...

 It's always fun when your new horse also likes to take selfies!

Links for Voting in the ReBrand Competition

I've had quite a few requests for the links where your likes, comments, and shares will count towards the point totals for me and Son of a Lynx  in the ReBrand Initiative Trainers' Challenge.  Though we love seeing everyone's reactions in other online spaces, only the likes on the ReBrand page count for the competition points.  Here are the links so far:

This takes you to the introductions on the ReBrand page, scroll down to my graphic and like that image.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17WVDpKhke/

This takes you to our first training video shared on the ReBrand page, like the video to add to the points!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E5MBsRCkY/

First Training Session

Son of a Lynx had his first training season this morning, including trying on saddles and expressing that he doesn't like the girth I used today.  I'll find my other styles and get him one he likes better.

He also got to stretch his legs in a larger area, doing a little free lunging, chasing cats, checking out the mounting block, and having his itchy ears rubbed!

https://youtu.be/z01CWQ02Hok?is=85G2-BcxZssjaUOp

Introducing Son of a Lynx

Due to some unforseen circumstances, Special Tyler wasn't able to participate in the ReBrand Challenge after all, so he was sent back to the aftercare organization. This evening Son of a Lynx arrived in his stead, also from MMXX Standardbreds.

I'm told he goes by "Tony," and while he may be called that around the barn, I do like to refer to horses by their racing names in blog posts to be sure I recognize their racing careers as they begin their sporthorse experience.  

Son of a Lynx raced for eight years as a pacer, collecting 14 wins, 20 seconds, and 28 third place finishes. Total he won just under $170,000 over the course of his harness racing career. He's been retired for about a year and is currently ten years old.

I'll be putting Son of a Lynx under saddle and aiming him towards jumpers, but of course the horse's opinion matters and we'll learn what he wants to do for his next career as I get to know him better. 

Please join me in offering Son of a Lynx a big welcome to Bit of Honey, and keep an eye out for his regular updates!

Arrival!

Special Tyler made it to Bit of Honey this morning!  I was thankful he didn't arrive at the predicted 2am, but rather at 6am instead which gave me a chance to sleep last night.  Big thanks to Emily with Dragon Wing Transport for getting him here safe and sound.

He's definitely a cutie, was very well mannered for walking up the gravel road to the barn.  You can tell he's gaited (he raced as a pacer) so we'll see how ground pole exercises work for him once we get to that!

Welcome to Special Tyler and we're all so pleased he's joined the Bit of Honey Training herd!

On The Way

I got the news that Special Tyler is on the way!  He had a very skeptical look on his face in the photo I was sent of him in the trailer, but I'm sure he'll enjoy himself once he gets here.  

"Are we sure this lady knows where we're going?"

I told the others that a new kid is coming tonight, and he'll of course be separated for a bit to make sure he and everyone else stay healthy.  I did insist they will have to be nice to him once they all know each other and he joins the herd. 

His large stall/run out area is ready for him, clean with fresh water, shavings, and a full hay bag.  He and my herd will be able to see each other from their prospective sides of the barn, so no one should be lonely.  Now we excitedly wait for him to arrive!

Arrival Scheduled!

Hooray!  Special Tyler is scheduled to arrive Sunday night into the wee hours of Monday morning.  Having shipped and recieved horses from all over the country I'm accustomed to tricky pickup and drop off times, that's just how it goes when a shipper is moving multiple horses to different destinations.  Hopefully the drive itself will be uneventful and soon the new kid will be all settled in the barn!

I did get this photo of Special Tyler shortly after he was informed of his summer plans...  he appears less than enthused about going to Southern Virginia where in mid July it will still be 90 degrees and humid at 10 o'clock at night.  Needless to say we'll be doing most of our work in the early mornings! 

So much excitement here about meeting him, and fingers crossed for safe travels!