04/15/06
Kanuk roading with the hounds
 
Kanuk's first weekend roading he had stayed in the pasture and watched everything. The second weekend I led him along with the first pack and rode him the second time. This Saturday was the first time he trailered in the morning of, got tacked up and went out without any warm up. He loaded up nicely at home and just had a little sweat from the trailer ride. He went out for a little walk/trot with the first group of horses that arrived, and then the hounds were brought out and we followed along behind.

The first group of hounds was a bit naughty, so we were all quite tired by time they came back to the kennels. 
With the excitement of the first group, I did see where our threshold was for nervousness and excitement. He was great for people cracking whips and yelling and hounds running. He was pretty patient as we waited for the hounds to come in. What was a bit much were other horses checking in and then leaving again. This, combined with his horse buddy getting excited, hounds starting to pop back out of the woods, and my nervousness at all the action, caused him to do some dancing underneath me. At that point I got a header and got off to walk him back up the trails. 

For all that, the best part was that he walked easily and calmed down immediately. I was able to get back up and continue to ride him for the rest of the day. He didn't hold my nerves against me and we went out with the next group of hounds. Sitting out in the field talking about how we needed a nap, I didn't notice when the huntsman sent the hounds off. The pack ran right towards us and all around us. Kanuk flicked his ears around, but didn't move a foot. These hounds were equally as naughty, but we didn't have any dancing this time - the other horses had gone a different direction and didn't distract us.

 
He didn't get anxious if his friend trotted off and we stayed walking.
 
The hounds in a pack don't bother him and today they ran straight toward us while we were standing in the field and he did nothing as they ran around us.
Kanuk hadn't met Bruno before today, but they got on just fine.
 
Most of the time Mary Ann led on Bruno and we followed behind.
When we're riding like this, I don't worry about where his head is. At home we're working on dressage and there he's remembering about softening to the bit and flexing. Out here it's more comfortable to have that neck and head up in front of me.
 
Chrissie heading out of the pasture with the hounds.
Us following behind. I'm trying to show him that I want space between him and the horse in front of us. To me that's important out hunting so we don't crowd anyone.
 
He feels big and powerful, but it doesn't seem so high up until you're getting off or on.
Following the pack.
 
And coming back up to go in search of some of the hounds that broke.
He was fine with taking the lead and trotting off with his friend following behind. He's actually pretty confident on his own when the tension level is normal. I think there's a chance he'd enjoy whipping in.
 
We walked around on a hill watching for hounds to come back.
He's overall big, but the proportions seem to work well.
 
When I'm relaxed, we can go around on a loose rein. Right after this things got too exciting for us, and I had to get off.
What's great is this is a shot after getting nervous and leaving the place where things were exciting. I was able to mount back up and we were both completely relaxed again.
 
Here we're watching the hounds come back in.
Luckily he doesn't mind a bit of noise on his back. Mary Ann can tell some great stories.
 
Getting some scratches for a job well done. Besides being a nice ride, he's a love on the ground.