go shyloh!

I am bursting with excitement right now!!!!

Shyloh has been taking lessons with Beth as a rider! Well, two lessons so far and a third scheduled for Friday, but they have been fantastic!

Beth has been so patient and kind with Shy. When I tacked Shy up and Beth took her in the arena, Shy was like, hey, wait a minute. . .you? I want to go back to my stall and hay! She was unsure of what to expect with Beth and was skittish at first. She really wanted back in her stall, which I am guessing she feels is her safe spot.

Shy has everything she needs in her stall: food, water, salt and mineral blocks, a view. She is comfortable there. But Beth worked with her on the ground and calmed her down. When Shy started to believe that Beth was not going to hurt her, Beth got on her to ride! They were magnificent! Shy  was a little skittish at first, but really started to relax by the end of the ride.

I feel this video really shows how slow and calm Beth is with Shy. You can see the difference in Shy from the beginning to the end and see how much more relaxed Shy is as she is ridden. Beth kept commenting on how sensitive to the leg Shy was.

Shyloh has come so far on the ground and now Beth is going to work with her in the saddle. Beth is a great rider and is not un-seated as easily as me, haha. She was able to sit through all of Shy's little scoots and kept her very under control and on a loose rein. It was beautiful to me! My only wish was that I had videoed Shy in the beginning of the ride when she was more skittish so the difference was more obvious.

The ride today was even better! Shy seemed to remember Beth and what was expected of her. Beth hand walked her around the arena to see how she was feeling. Shy was great and let Beth mount her without  raising her head and tensing up. Louise was in the arena working on reining stuff, but Shy did not mind at all. There was even a point when someone opened the arena doors and Shy was fine! 

Beth walked, trotted, super fast trotted, and cantered Shy. She kept her on the rail and did circles with her. Beth kept commenting how much more relaxed Shy was today and how good she was doing! Beth also said that her trot was very comfortable. You can really see the difference in how Shy relaxes in today's ride from yesterday's ride.

Then Beth made a suggestion. . .

She took Shy outside to ride! Shy was, once again, amazing! She didn't care that the minis next door were calling to her, she didn't care when someone got in their car and drove away, she didn't care about the strong winds. I am still on a high from how awesome Shy was today!

It gives me great hopes for what we will be able to do. Shy is learning so quick and is getting comfortable as she gets ridden. We have come to the conclusion that when Shy is unsure what is expected of her, she gets nervous because she wants to do what is asked, but doesn't know what is wanted. Make sense? Once she figures out what is wanted, she relaxes. We think that she is so afraid of doing something wrong and making a mistake, that she works herself up. Or she is afraid of what the consequences (previous to me) are when she does not do what is asked. Is that possible?