Wednesday, March 7, 2012

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?

13 comments:

  1. Omg, Kaspin and Shy are the same. Kaspin has that horrible trot before the canter also(as you noticed, I never posted and canter videos)! And Kaspin hates to canter as well. I was just thinking that maybe this weekend I might work on canter again? I too just hate doing it, because it's soooo bumpy at first, LOL. But yes, Kaspin has a smooth trot as well. I think it's because of the nice short back that Haflingers have. I love Beth's hands for Shy! She keeps them nice and quiet and doesn't pull on the mouth. Oh, and I love all the blows!!!! Hopefully I can get Kaspin to do it that much one day also!! Fun videos and you guys are doing great!!!

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    1. I worked with a couple of horses that had awful trot to canter transitions. Can I give you a tip on an exercise that may help your horse? It is OF COURSE ok to say no thank you! :)

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    2. Thanks!
      Beth is great! She seems to know exactly what Shy needs.

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    3. GraceEquestrian- I would love to know any tips you have on it. My boyfriends mare has an awful death trot before the canter and nothing I have tried seems to work very well, so if you've got a suggestion I would love to hear it =D

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  2. It makes perfect sense. She is thinking ahead. It's what makes smart horses so much harder to train. They never think about what is happening right now, they are always stuck in the future. It sounds like Beth is fantastic, I'm glad that she is able to ride Shy for you!

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    1. Beth is amazing! She is going to be real good for me and Shy.

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  3. Shy looks so wonderfully relaxed. I cracked up at her trot before she cantered. That's Pippin almost all of the time! I'll have to get some video the next time I have someone with me!
    Yeah...I'd be about to burst if that was my horse. Shy did you proud!

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  4. That's awesome! I hope everything keeps going well with Beth and Shy.

    I think Sugar gets nervous for the same reason as you said Shy does. Luckily it looks like Shy is already starting to relax more though! GO SHY!

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  5. The insurance broker in me is dying to tell you - don't ever let anyone ride your horse without a helmet! That is a liability suit waiting to happen my friend.

    Other than that, so glad Shy was being a good girl!

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    1. Even if she owns the barn and is training my horse? She has her own insurance. I really don't know much about that, so thanks for the info :)

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  6. Looking great! She's such a sweet little haffie, isn't she? Even when uncertain she seems really well behaved and trying to listen. Can't wait to see you on the other side of the camera!

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    1. She really is well behaved. I have never seem any meanness in her.
      I hope to be up on her soon!

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  7. What an awesome girl!!! She's doing awesome. And yes blowing out is a sign of relaxation so that's totally awesome. :)

    Her canter will get better as she gets back in shape and gets stronger. It's not uncommon for out of shape horses to trot really fast before they start cantering. Teaching her to use her back will help. Also hill work and cavaletti will help make her back and haunches stronger. I'm glad Beth is willing to ride her for you.

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