Photos by Allison Lail
On September 28-29, 2013, LexLin Gypsy Ranch, under the ownership of Eric and Mechelle Barton, near Rockwood, TN opened their doors for their fifth annual Open House, to showcase their stallions, mares, and foals and to host a variety of demonstrations of horse training, veterinary care, breeding, and service dogs.
Interested participants could opt to have their Gypsy horse inspected by Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (GVHS) Evaluators Dave Ayers and David Reidel on Sunday, September 29 at Roane State College Expo Center in Harriman, TN. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs folks were on hand to show the wide variety of tasks that their service dogs are trained to accomplish. Countryside Veterinary Services staff demonstrated teeth floating. The afternoon’s activities included a pasture tour, a pig roast by the 4-H club, music by the Jason Stinnet Band, and a bonfire.
Mike Branch of Flying B Horsemanship gave Natural Horsemanship demonstrations with Carnival and Willie in the outdoor arena. He easily moved the horses through ground work, flexing, side passing, two tracking, and then through multiple obstacles that one might encounter on a Trail Challenge course.
Branch demonstrated how flexion (at the poll) affects the roundness of the horse’s back and suppleness. He emphasized the importance of ground work before ever getting on the horse. “Once it’s done well in the ground, it’s better on their back.” He explained the four phases of communication with the horse: suggest, ask, tell, then insist if one is not getting the desired results. “The rider and horse are in partnership, but someone has to be the leader. The rider/trainer is the leader.”
Matt Lawson demonstrated what can be done under saddle in the hunter/jumper disciplines with Gypsy Vanners Maverick, Toney, and Geromino.
In May of this year, LexLin formed a partnership with Long Branch Lakes to offer an enhanced experience at Long Branch Lakes with access to LexLin’s Gypsy Vanner horses. Located at Fall Creek Falls near Spencer, Tenn., Long Branch Lakes is a private 5,000-acre gated community in Spencer, Tenn., with an equestrian center comprised of 1,000 acres and 30 miles of community riding trails.
Long Branch Lakes and LexLin will offer events on the extensive riding trails and equestrian facilities, which includes an eight-stall barn, outdoor riding arena, working pen, fenced pastures, and professional instruction.
For more information about LexLin Gypsy Ranch and the open house, visit http://www.gogypsy.com. For information about Long Branch Lakes Equestrian Center, visit http://lbl-equestriancenter.com.
On September 28-29, 2013, LexLin Gypsy Ranch, under the ownership of Eric and Mechelle Barton, near Rockwood, TN opened their doors for their fifth annual Open House, to showcase their stallions, mares, and foals and to host a variety of demonstrations of horse training, veterinary care, breeding, and service dogs.
Interested participants could opt to have their Gypsy horse inspected by Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (GVHS) Evaluators Dave Ayers and David Reidel on Sunday, September 29 at Roane State College Expo Center in Harriman, TN. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs folks were on hand to show the wide variety of tasks that their service dogs are trained to accomplish. Countryside Veterinary Services staff demonstrated teeth floating. The afternoon’s activities included a pasture tour, a pig roast by the 4-H club, music by the Jason Stinnet Band, and a bonfire.
Mike Branch of Flying B Horsemanship gave Natural Horsemanship demonstrations with Carnival and Willie in the outdoor arena. He easily moved the horses through ground work, flexing, side passing, two tracking, and then through multiple obstacles that one might encounter on a Trail Challenge course.
Branch demonstrated how flexion (at the poll) affects the roundness of the horse’s back and suppleness. He emphasized the importance of ground work before ever getting on the horse. “Once it’s done well in the ground, it’s better on their back.” He explained the four phases of communication with the horse: suggest, ask, tell, then insist if one is not getting the desired results. “The rider and horse are in partnership, but someone has to be the leader. The rider/trainer is the leader.”
Matt Lawson demonstrated what can be done under saddle in the hunter/jumper disciplines with Gypsy Vanners Maverick, Toney, and Geromino.
In May of this year, LexLin formed a partnership with Long Branch Lakes to offer an enhanced experience at Long Branch Lakes with access to LexLin’s Gypsy Vanner horses. Located at Fall Creek Falls near Spencer, Tenn., Long Branch Lakes is a private 5,000-acre gated community in Spencer, Tenn., with an equestrian center comprised of 1,000 acres and 30 miles of community riding trails.
Long Branch Lakes and LexLin will offer events on the extensive riding trails and equestrian facilities, which includes an eight-stall barn, outdoor riding arena, working pen, fenced pastures, and professional instruction.
For more information about LexLin Gypsy Ranch and the open house, visit http://www.gogypsy.com. For information about Long Branch Lakes Equestrian Center, visit http://lbl-equestriancenter.com.
