going places

You know what is one great thing about Shyloh? She loves to go places and she is so good when I take her. I still remember the first time I took her anywhere. Jaime convinced us to go to the Harry Hughes Draft Clinic. It was the first time I trailered Shy and the first time we went anywhere since I got her (almost a year). I had no idea how she would react. Well, Shy hopped off that trailer, saw grass, and was completely comfortable. And that is how she has been ever since. New places don't bother her at all.

Going places!

So, I was not surprised when me and Jaime trailered (okay, Kyle drive us) Shy and Clutch out to her old boarding barn for a lesson. Yes, we took a lesson! And it was in an indoor arena! I was 50% excited and 50% nervous. Shy has been acting very sassy Friday and early Saturday. And a bit spooky, when I was dragging the poop sled she was running around the back of the barn. Usually, she just lifts her head to look at it. So, I took precautions and shaved my legs before the lesson in case I ended up the hospital.

Clutch

When we got there, Shy was quite intrigued by the alpacas, emus, goats, and chickens that she could see from the arena. She was also interested in the minion and donkey that were stalled in the arena. I hand walked her around a few times so she could look at everything and so she would loosen up and I could tighten the girth. 

Then the lesson began. Shy started off by being a little jerky and not standing at the mounting block. Danyale (the trainer) did not let Shy get away with that and it was quickly stopped. She stood, I got on, and we had a great lesson! Shy got sticky a few times, but that was the worst of it. She was really a rockstar!

After ride

The best part was that Danyale is giving me tools that I can use when riding and working with Shy. I think having tools will help to build my confidence since Shy is different than the Haflinger I leased. Another thing that Danyale pointed out was that I had to stop living in the past with her. Stop focusing on all the things that she used to do and focus on what she is doing. 

That pooflock!

I probably spent over an hour on Shy. I didn't want to stop riding. We were having so much fun! And we were both so relaxed (well, I was much more relaxed by the end). Although, she did make this weird growling/grunting sound a couple time. . .not sure what that was about.