Release the Hounds

This morning I released the hounds, and let both Mahzi and Pascal come with me and Lynx on our ride.  Pascal is a little more active and vocal a riding companion than Mahzi, which was a bit of an adjustment for Lynx, who's quite acclimated to Mahzi's casual demeanor.  There was only one piece of drama when Pascal was running around in circles excitedly, and Lynx decided he was being irritating, and lunged at him while I was standing nearby.  

I don't get loud very often with my animals, but when there's a safety issue I can be pretty intense, and instantaneously.  I bellowed "ENOUGH!" and startled both the horse and the dog into stopping their antics.  Lynx then stood perfectly still, and Pascal left the ring to go corner a barn cat...  who then proceeded to beat him up.  It was kind of a rough start to the day for the dog.

Good thing is, once I'd interrupted the kerfuffle, I could go right back to being quiet and steady.  Lynx was a little cautious with me for a moment and then realized my consternation was specific to the situation and he didn't need to be concerned about me after it was over.

Once I had my helmet and boots on and Lynx was tacked up I called Pascal back, and we all headed out to hack around the fields and neighborhood.  Lynx watched Pascal carefully for the first few minutes, then realized Pascal would just tag along for the ride and didn't worry anymore.  I did at least remember to put bells on both dogs, though Mahzi lost hers early in the ride.  Good thing I buy those in bulk so I always have spares.

We've started trotting out in the fields, and hopping over crossrails.  I like to introduce this early in a horse's training so it feels like no big deal, that way if he moves forward into a career in trail riding, eventing, or foxhunting, moving at speed in the open is a basic skill he's already had from nearly the beginning of his riding training. Add in boisterous dogs, and he can handle nearly everything.

https://youtu.be/ochWncKyOoA?is=o2H5FIQc92g5sAL0 

Starting Jumping and Meeting the Neighbors

This morning it was overcast and a little cooler, so Son of a Lynx and I went for a brief ride in the ring, walking and trotting over his first crossrails, then hacked out in the fields.  

 

I've got a few cross rails set up out there too, and he was happy to walk over those as well, and trotted over one too.  

When we got to the neighbor's they were heading into town, so Lynx got to visit with them through the car window.  He was very friendly, and happy to have her scratch his head and pet his face.  When they drove off, he was super laid back and probably would have waved at them if he could.

We walked through the woods around the pond and then back home.  I was using the GoPro today, but I was pressing the wrong button and ended up with 2000 photos instead of a couple short videos!  I figured it out this evening, though, so we should be good to go next time.

Double S Photography Horseshow Pics

The horseshow this past weekend was such fun, and even though it was a casual schooling show I still got dressed up for the photos.  Kaitlyn with Double S Photography was there taking pictures, and she got so many great ones of both Son of a Lynx and of Dylan, my friend Kathy's horse.  We both purchased the packages with all of our photos, and here are some of our favorites!

 

First Horseshow

We made a trip down to Oxford, NC last night for a horseshow with friends! Son of a Lynx was an old pro, showing how well track life can prepare a horse for horseshow life.  He was entirely unphased by the kids, other horses being squirrerely, spectators clamoring around in metal bleachers, large banners and posters, the PA system and music. He's more curious than anything. 

We entered a halter class, which ended up being the biggest class of the night with 6 horses.  Son of a Lynx came in second place!

Next we tacked up and went back to the arena for warmup.  As most horseshow riders know, the warmup ring is the most challenging part of competing.  Horses and riders going multiple directions, some horses misbehaving, some humans being distracting.  Lynx handled it all with aplomb.  He did occasionally stare at the more dramatic incidents, but it was with an air of "Are you ok?  Is there something wrong with your human?  Do you need me to contact someone?" Then I'd calmly explain to him that it's ok to notice, but we don't worry about any of that.

Our flat class was a novice horse walk/trot.  Lynx could tell this was when it "mattered", and he remembered his job was to pace when it mattered in racing.  He's still differentiating his job as a riding horse from his job as a racehorse.  While I got a nice balanced trot several times in the warmup, by the time the class came around he was a little tired and just paced.  He was truly quiet and well behaved though, and did give me some good balanced trot in the next break. 

This little show had a ground poles "jump" class, which was our last entry.  I loved that Lynx and I were able to do do a ground poles class at his very first horseshow, even so early in his riding training!  He did great, went forward and straight over each one, earning himself another red ribbon!

We headed back to the trailer after that, and I tied him while I changed out of my show clothes.  In the couple minutes it took me to put away my tall boots and jacket, Lynx feel asleep at his hay bag!  I turned back to him and his eyes were shut, ears flopping to the sides.  When I woke him up and offered him a cookie, he rested his horse lips in the palm of my hand on top of the cookie without taking it, and promptly fell asleep again. 

He did perk up a little for some photos, and then we loaded up and headed home.  What an incredibly successful first show!  

https://youtu.be/GvIxiRzKPaM?is=ox4sjD_39PF_ckfB

Laid back, studious and observant, Lynx made quite an impression at his first horseshow!

Field Trip to a Friend's

Field trip! We went to a friend's place to ride in her jumping field. Son of a Lynx was super confident and well behaved.  

We also rode in her hay field and on the trails, and he enjoyed himself so much that we hacked around for a couple hours with him leading the way!

https://youtu.be/4TNS1dmTQM0?is=pvtzzWoWgIB6noo9

Not bad at all for a horse who's only been under saddle for about a week, with fewer than 10 rides!