Cross Country School - Round 1

Monday = no work day for me and Lauren got out of work fairly early so we decided to take Echo and Dakota to Masterson Station. Masterson = free access to hundreds of acres to ride on. They hold events so there are jumps everywhere, arenas to use, etc. Neither horse had gone before and it was my first time riding there so I had no clue what to expect. 

I beat Lauren to the barn by maybe 20 minutes so I was able to get both horses groomed. Lauren got there as I was ready to tack up so she took over Echo and I got Dakota ready. We decided to tack up and trailer over instead of tacking at the park because we didn't know what kind of traffic would be at the park and how the horses would behave. Both horses loaded like pros and we were on the road by 5pm. 

20 minutes later we were parked, and unloaded. After Lauren made me go hug a tree when I made a rather stupid comment about falling off, we bridled the horses and off we went. Both horses stood to be mounted - no catastrophes.

We rode around one of the fields letting the horses settle in and Dakota and I trotted and did our own thing while Echo and Lauren warmed up. We regrouped and Lauren took Echo over the tiny fences to get her use to the idea of the jumps not being just standards and poles. Second time around they tried some additional fences and jumped the mid height ones. Echo seemed to love it, and had zero stop to her. If Lauren pointed her to a fence, no questions asked, Echo went over. 

Next we wandered our way to a different field where there were ditch jumps. We encountered a bike group and both horses minds were blown by all the bicycles but remained calm in their confusion. Echo jumped the ditch the first couple of times without hesitation but then began to question it and had a few moments of hell no, but got over it and jumped the ditches again without problem. While trying to film ditch jumping, Dakota decided a full body shake was necessary and my crop and phone went flying. I had to dismount, recollect my items and find a place to get back on. The unsteady pile of mulch didn't work so I led him into a covered pavilion and lined him up to the picnic tables.

Onto the next field. This required going through a creek. Dakota had conquered a creek once before but it was sandy on both sides and he leaped over it mostly. Echo had never been through it. Lauren ended up dismounting and leading her through. Once she realized it was water though, she didn't bat another eye at going through water. Dakota took some encouragement, but got through without leaping like a special horse. 

Echo's initial reaction to going through water and the creek. 

In the field were mostly training and prelim options for jumping but the water jump still was great to school both horses on. Echo walk, trot and cantered through the water like a pro. I held my breath the first couple of times because she started wanting to play in the water and knowing how much she loves to swim in water tanks I was afraid of her laying down in it. After watching Echo play, I decided to try Dakota in it, he actually went in! Proof is below!

Finally Lauren took Echo for a gallop and I decided to try cantering Dakota - something that doesn't happen often. After one more jump round, we headed back to the trailer, riding over a Dakota eating bridge that Echo had be his security blanket for. 

Tired ponies, ready to go home. 

I'll have more video of Echo on cross country by the end of the week. It's just taking me longer than I planned to get it uploaded. Dakota pulled a shoe yesterday after going to Masterson so he bought himself a few days off until I can get it back on. 

Solo Hack Part Two

Hacking is something I love. Hacking solo however, is something that has always eluded Dakota and I. I had yesterday off work and spent late afternoon and all evening at the farm. I had some other stuff to take care of, but after finishing stalls, I knew I'd kick myself if I didn't take the opportunity to ride. Echo was hanging out in her paddock so I pulled Dakota in for a quick grooming and we headed to the arena. 

I got on with zero expectation, as I usually do, and let Dakota just have full rein length. He was loose from the get-go and was freely walking and completely relaxed. Note to self, now going to try this from now on. No more getting on and pulling in my reins to get him on the bit right away. 

We walked, we trotted, and we trotted for the entire time without him trying to create new gaits. There were a few moments he was off in his front left that's most recently caused problems but I'd push him forward and he'd be fine. I'll keep an eye on it in the future but there was no heat and he had just gotten trimmed so he should be fine. Finished up in the arena, and he was sweaty so I decided to go out for a hack. 

Yellow is boundaries of the farm as far as I know.

The red highlight is where Dakota and I ventured last night and we went 1/2 down the driveway as well. We finished up the night with a lap around the track area. 

Other news, Echo is in heat and driving everyone nuts. Farrier is happy with how her hoof is looking. Depending on how the next 2 weeks go I may be in the clear from the vet to start lunging her with tack etc. 

Spring In The Air

Tuesday I took my lunch hour at 4pm and was off work at 5 so basically got to leave an hour early. Work was super quiet so I do this sometimes when I have a good chance and the weather is perfect for pony time. My goal was to ride Dakota and have some good time with Echo. Goal = Achieved. Took Dakota on a leisurely hack/ride with White Prince and Honey. He was super good! He got a bath after and then I turned my attention to Echo, spending lots of time hand walking and grazing on whatever she could find. 

Today = Today marks my work schedule being shifted from me working closing shift on Fridays to now Thursdays. 

Despite it snowing yesterday, it's back to warmer temps and spring is definitely coming! Fingers crossed that the white crap is officially done.