I got a short ride in on Shyloh today!
Shy really perplexes me, I wish I knew more about her background. She really hates the mounting block and moves away from it, but the minute I get on her back she is great!
The little bit I do know about her past is that she spent some time as a trail horse at a recreational park. This probably explains why she stands so well in cross ties. Shy would have been tacked up in the morning, kept standing around until someone came to ride her, then repeat until the end of the day. The people who probably rode her had no clue what they were doing and were probably rough on her.
Robin suggested contacting her old owner to find out what auction she was bought at. I have contacted her, but so far I have not received a response. Once I find out the auction place, they might have records from a Coggins or something there. I have also checked the insides of her lips for tattoos. . . none. It would be interesting to find out more about her.
I am open to any other suggestions on how I might be able to find out more about Shyloh!
But, the more I ride, the more comfortable Shy gets with me. I can tell that my balance on her is getting better, too. I could tell she was aware of other things going on in the barn, but her ears were on me the whole time. I am so happy that I have started riding!
I'm glad you're enjoying riding.
ReplyDeleteSometimes word of mouth is the best way to find out about horses. Small world kind of stuff. Like one time my mom was talking to a welsh pony breeder about a pony we can gonna from an old man (he threw her in on a cattle buying deal) and the person said, "Oh, I used to own her, I've got her papers up in the horse". You never know, things like that do happen. I would just keep asking around.
It's possible in Shy's old life she had so many people accidently nudge her in the side, or kick her on the back while mounting that she's now prepared to move away just to avoid that happening? Camryn wasn't keen on the mounting block either. Most likely because she'd been used to being mounted from anything but a big blue plastic thingie! Now she not only stands nicely for mounting from it, she also tries to stand near it when she thinks we need to be done riding LOL
ReplyDeleteCongrats on riding! Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteDoc doesn't do well with the mounting block either. I don't have one now, but when I used to ride at my friends we'd practice walking up and standing next to it. If he moved, I'd make him move for a bit and we'd start over. Then I would ask him to stand and I'd walk around him - up over the block, in front of him, down the other side and back over the block. We did this on both sides.
Megan, Thanks! I am going to try to find out more about her. There is a Halfinger group in Ohio, which is close to us, so maybe I will find ask around.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I think she had a lot of very inexperienced people on her who probably kicked her and where rough with her. Of course Camryn would stand by it when she is done. . .hilarious!!
Dreaming, I have been doing that with Shyloh. . .her persistence is greater than my patience!